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Who are the MVP Award candidates in the American and National League? MLB's race for top player

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As the 2024 Major League Baseball season winds down to its final weeks, the race for the MVP Award in both the American and National Leagues has reached a fever pitch. Each league boasts a cast of dynamic players whose extraordinary performances have captivated fans and left a lasting mark on the season. With the postseason looming, the question on everyone’s mind is: Who will take home the coveted MVP honors?

With less than seven weeks left in the 2024 regular season, things at the top of the pile are looking like a repeat of years past. Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are standing out above everyone else.

In a recent MVP poll on MLB.com, a few fresh faces have surged into the second spot in each league, and if this holds true, it will keep things interesting down the stretch.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

  1. Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees (33 first-place votes)
    Aaron Judge is back at it again. Two years after belting 62 home runs and securing the AL MVP, he’s on another tear this season. Judge is leading MLB in home runs (42), RBIs (106), walks (98), and OPS (1.160). Both FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference have him atop the WAR charts with 8.3 and 8.0, respectively. The big question now is whether Judge can reach 60 homers and possibly snag a Triple Crown. With a 143-point OPS lead over the next guy, don’t bet against him.
  2. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals (12 first-place votes)
    Bobby Witt Jr. has been in the MVP conversation all season, but he’s taken things up a notch since July. He’s hitting a scorching .442 with 10 homers and 33 RBIs over that stretch, helping keep the Royals in the Wild Card hunt. Witt leads MLB in batting average (.347), hits (164), and runs scored (100), while also trailing only Judge in both fWAR (8.1) and bWAR (7.6). Throw in 25 steals and elite defense, and you’ve got yourself a legitimate MVP contender.
  3. Juan Soto, OF, Yankees
    Juan Soto is putting up numbers that would make him the MVP in most years—if it weren’t for Aaron Judge. Soto is slashing .304/.441/.577 with 30 homers, 82 RBIs, and 95 walks. Since the All-Star break, he’s been even hotter, with a .337 average and seven homers in 21 games. If Judge wasn’t around, Soto might be your MVP.
  4. Gunnar Henderson, SS, Orioles
    Gunnar Henderson has slipped a bit in the rankings, but don’t count him out just yet. Despite only one homer in his last 22 games, he’s still hitting .290 with 29 homers, 94 runs, and 14 steals. Henderson is third in MLB in bWAR (7.3), proving he’s still one of the league’s top talents.
  5. José Ramírez, 3B, Guardians
    José Ramírez is no stranger to the MVP conversation. He’s been in the top six of AL voting five times, and he’s having another stellar season with 31 homers, 25 steals, 97 RBIs, and 86 runs for the AL Central-leading Guardians.

Others receiving votes: Rafael Devers (Red Sox), Jarren Duran (Red Sox), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Yordan Alvarez (Astros), Tarik Skubal (Tigers)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

  1. Shohei Ohtani, DH, Dodgers (37 first-place votes)
    Shohei Ohtani might not be pitching in 2024, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting on a show. He leads the NL in homers (35) and OPS (1.001) while swiping 32 bases in 36 attempts. Ohtani is on pace to join the 40/40 club, and if he wins his third MVP in four years, he’ll be only the second player ever to claim MVP honors in both leagues, alongside Frank Robinson.
  2. Ketel Marte, 2B, D-backs (six first-place votes)
    Ketel Marte is having a breakout year and has finally cracked our top five MVP list. He’s been on fire recently, posting a 1.328 OPS with 11 homers in his last 18 games, pushing Arizona up the Wild Card standings. Overall, Marte has 30 homers, a .932 OPS, and an NL-leading 6.1 bWAR.
  3. Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds (two first-place votes)
    Elly De La Cruz has been doing everything he can to keep the Reds in the playoff picture. With 20 homers, 59 steals, and elite defense, he’s just one steal away from joining the exclusive 20/60 club. Not bad for a guy in his first full season.
  4. Bryce Harper, 1B, Phillies
    Bryce Harper has had his ups and downs this year, but he’s starting to heat up again. The two-time NL MVP has 26 homers, 72 RBIs, and a .912 OPS, and he’s shown some impressive glove work in his first year as a full-time first baseman.
  5. Francisco Lindor, SS, Mets
    Francisco Lindor has been a steady presence for the Mets, both at the plate and in the field. Since taking over the leadoff spot full-time in mid-May, he’s hit .296 with 15 homers, 18 steals, and an .881 OPS. Lindor’s been key to the Mets’ mid-season turnaround.

Others receiving votes: Marcell Ozuna (Braves), Freddie Freeman (Dodgers), Jurickson Profar (Padres), Chris Sale (Braves), Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Trea Turner (Phillies), William Contreras (Brewers), Teoscar Hernández (Dodgers), Matt Chapman (Giants), Paul Skenes (Pirates)

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