Shohei Ohtani's NL MVP rival Francisco Lindor is Mark DeRosa's favorite shortstop to watch

Mark DeRosa recently explained why Francisco Lindor is his favorite shortstop to watch. Lindor is putting up excellent numbers as he and the Mets fight for postseason contention.

In a video posted by MLB Network on X, DeRosa spoke about Lindor being the perfect role model for aspiring baseball players in terms of fundamentals. (0:00)

"Defensively, he [Francisco Lindor] is my favorite shortstop to watch. If you're big on fundamentals and teaching the game to the youth, you'd show them him."

Despite Ohtani being the popular NL MVP choice, Lindor has quietly made a case for the award.

There is an argument that Lindor combines outstanding defense with a potent bat, whereas Ohtani, a designated hitter, only impacts his team's offense. One could argue that Lindor adds more two-way value than Shohei.

Francisco Lindor homers in Arizona as Mets win series

The New York Mets beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Thursday, securing a series victory. Both starters recorded quality mound appearances, as Ryne Nelson (Diamondbacks) and David Peterson (Mets) helped make the contest a defensive struggle.

Lindor continued his MVP case by going yard in the top of the sixth frame. The home run came at a vital time, pulling the Mets level with their hosts before they earned the win with another run in the ninth inning. Lindor is batting at a .269 average for the current campaign, with 28 home runs and 79 RBIs.

The Mets continue their travels as they face the Chicago White Sox on Saturday after winning their series opener on Friday. As MLB regular season play winds down, New York sits three games behind Atlanta for the final NL wild card spot.