MVP CANDIDATES

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are the two best players in Baseball. Every year since 2020 at least one of them has captured MVP, including the last two years where they each won their respective league MVP. For Ohtani it was his third consecutive MVP (2023 with LAA), Judge will be looking for his third consecutive MVP and fourth in five years. Let’s take a look at some players who could unseat them as MVP

AL TOP CONTENDERS

JOSE RAMIREZ – GUARDIANS – Let’s start with an easy one, Ramirez posted another 30 homer season, his second straight and third in five seasons. He only drove in 85 runs, which was down 33 from the year prior. Ramirez also stole 44 bases and slugged over .500. Ramirez is still one of the best in the game and the heartbeat of the Guardians, if they play well he could be in MVP conversation again.

BOBBY WITT JR – ROYALS – Witt is electrifying and one of the best shortstops in the game. 23 homers to go along with 88 RBIS. Witt also stole 38 bases, and led the league in hits.  A lineup featuring Salvador Perez, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Jac Caglianone could get Witt more pitches to hit. 

GUNNAR HENDERSON – ORIOLES – Last year was a down year for Henderson and the Orioles. After hitting 37 homers and driving in 92 runs in 2024, Henderson hit 17 and drove in 68. He did have a career high 30 stolen bases, but he was down in average, on base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS, if the Orioles want to compete in the AL East they need Gunnar Henderson. 

JULIO RODRIGUEZ – MARINERS –  Last year it was all about the Big Dumper Cal Raleigh and his 60 homers. But while that was going on Julio Rodriguez quietly posted a 30/30 season with 32 homers and 30 stolen bases. If the Mariners are going to get back to where they got to last season they need their superstar CF to be a major factor. 

VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR. – BLUE JAYS – Vladdy posted his usual great slash line last season .292/.381/.467. But it was a down power season for Vlad with 23 homers and 84 RBI’S. But Vlad was a monster in the playoffs with eight homers and 15 RBI’S and hit almost .400. If he carries that over he could earn his first MVP. 

AL DARK HORSES

NICK KURTZ – A’S –  The A’s slugger was called up on April 23rd and in just 420 at bats hit 36 homers. Kurtz had a slash line of .290/.383/.619 and if the A’s can make the jump, after playing so well in the second half Kurtz will be a reason.

YORDAN ALVAREZ- ASTROS – I know what you’re thinking how is Alvarez a darkhorse? My answer is health, Alvarez was limited to 48 games due to a fractured hand. But to keep Alvarez healthy the Astros will use him in the DH position. 

NL TOP CONTENDERS

JUAN SOTO – METS – Soto posted career high with 43 homers and 38 stolen bases last season. With a lot of the moves the Mets made, Soto becomes the major focal point of the Mets offense. Soto has never won an MVP and at 27 he has a shot to unseat Ohtani.

KYLE SCHWARBER – PHILLIES – Schwarber hit 56 homers and drove in 132 runs last season. Now he returns to Philly with a chance to repeat some of those numbers, in three of his four seasons in Philly Schwarber has hit at least 46 homers. 

RONALD ACUNA JR. – BRAVES – Health is the thing that has hurt Acuna the past couple of years. In 2023 Acuna hit 41 homers and stole 73 bases, the last two years combined he’s hit 25 homers with 25 stolen bases in 144 games. If he’s healthy Acuna is still one of the most dynamic players in the game. 

FERNANDO TATIS JR. – PADRES – Like Acuna, Tatis is one of the most dynamic players in MLB. Tatis hit 25 homers and stole 32 bases. Tatis had a slash line of .268/.368/.446 and plays a very good right field.

NL DARK HORSES

BRYCE HARPER – PHILLIES – Yes, I know Bryce Harper will eventually wind up in Cooperstown, but what makes him a dark horse MVP candidate? Well, his own GM Dave Dombrowski doesn’t believe Harper is elite anymore. Cue up the Michael Jordan I took that personally meme, because I wouldn’t be shocked if Harper goes on a tear this season. 
JACKSON CHOURIO – BREWERS – In two seasons Chourio has a slash line of .272/.317/.463 with 42 homers, 157 RBI’S and 43 stolen bases. Chourio is the straw that brews the Brewers.