The 2026 MLB MVP race is heating up, with the American League (AL) and National League (NL) both offering intriguing contenders. While the NL appears to have a clear frontrunner in Shohei Ohtani, the AL is a three-way battle between Jose Alvarez, Aaron Judge, and Nick Witt, with Kurt Rice and Nick Kurtz also in the mix. In the NL, Mookie Betts, Paul Skenes, and Elly De La Cruz are among the top contenders, but the race is far from over.
The AL Three-Way Race
The AL MVP race is a fascinating three-way contest, with Alvarez, Judge, and Witt all in the running. Alvarez, the Astros slugger, has been on fire, with a .301/.416/.634 slash line, 20 home runs, and 39 RBIs. Despite missing most of the previous season due to injuries, Alvarez is now a force to be reckoned with. However, the question remains: can he net his first MVP Award?
Judge, the Yankees star, has been excellent with 17 homers and a .907 OPS, but he's not quite playing at an MVP level. A recently revealed bone bruise might explain that. But for a hitter of Judge's caliber, all it takes is one good hot streak. Witt, the Kansas City shortstop, received the most first-place votes of any AL player, but he still finished just a hair behind Judge and not far behind Alvarez in terms of total voting points.
Rice, who had a breakout 2025, has taken just as big a leap in his third Major League season. He is batting .306 with 17 home runs and 44 RBIs and leads MLB in slugging percentage (.658) and OPS (1.055). Kurtz, the A's first baseman and reigning AL Rookie of the Year, has also proven himself to be an incredibly well-rounded hitter, with a .439 on-base percentage and a .939 OPS. While Alvarez, Judge, and Witt are the top contenders, Rice and Kurtz are also in the mix, making the AL MVP race one of the most exciting in recent memory.
The NL Contenders
In the NL, Ohtani is the clear frontrunner, with his two-way success and pitching prowess taking him to a new level in 2026. Wood, who was in a similar position last year, is also back to his first-half numbers from last season and then some. Carroll, the D-backs star, is an all-around star, a strong defender, and elite baserunner who is having his best offensive season to date. Schwarber, the Phillies designated hitter, is also having an incredible season, with a .940 OPS and leading MLB with 22 home runs.
Olson, the Braves first baseman, is another top contender, with a .261/.340/.543 slash line and 16 homers. While the NL appears to have a clear frontrunner in Ohtani, the other contenders are also in the mix, making the race far from over. The 2026 MLB MVP race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with the AL and NL both offering intriguing contenders and the possibility of upsets and surprises.
The Broader Implications
The 2026 MLB MVP race has broader implications for the sport, with the AL and NL both offering intriguing contenders and the possibility of upsets and surprises. The AL three-way race is a fascinating contest, with Alvarez, Judge, and Witt all in the running, while the NL appears to have a clear frontrunner in Ohtani, but with other contenders also in the mix. The MVP race is a reflection of the depth and talent in the sport, with the possibility of upsets and surprises adding to the excitement and intrigue.
