For the past five seasons, anybody watching Curtis Granderson would know that he’s capable of doing something great anytime he steps up to the plate. He’s proving them right this season. Granderson is having a career year with the New York Yankees, and even if it ended today, you would have to give him serious consideration for the American League MVP award. Granderson has already broken several personal bests and is on pace to break several more.

In 2007, Granderson hit .302 with a .361 on-base percentage and a .552 slugging percentage. He totaled 185 hits including 38 doubles, 23 triples, 23 home runs, 74 RBIs, 122 runs scored and 26 stolen bases; most of these are career-bests. He led the league that year in three-baggers, and did so again in 2008. This season, Granderson already has more RBIs with 98 and has better on-base and slugging percentages with .375 and .594 marks. With his 114 runs scored and 24 stolen bases, he’ll certainly break those personal bests as well.

Most impressive though is Granderson’s home run power. He’s hit at least 19 home runs in each full season he’s played, but the 35 he has this year is not only already the best mark of his career, but just one shy of the Major League lead. It seems like any time Granderson hits a home run to tie Jose Bautista, it’s only mere hours before the Toronto Blue Jays slugger gets one of his own. Still, nobody will be upset if Granderson finishes second to the defending home run champion.

Granderson’s year is made better because his Yankees are once again postseason-bound. They’re currently going back and forth with the Boston Red Sox for the AL East and wild card spots, but nobody else is close to them in either race. If Granderson can continue his regular season success into October, he alone can become a difference-maker in the Yankees’ hunt for a 28th World Series Championship.