Ohtani, Lindor, Marte finalists for NL MVP; Judge, Witt, Soto contend for AL honour
Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers star, has emerged as a finalist for his first National League MVP award after claiming the honor twice in the American League. He is joined in the top three in NL voting by New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte.
On the other hand, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is vying for his second American League MVP in three seasons. He is accompanied by Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto in the race for the prestigious award.
Ohtani, who was unanimously voted the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023, took a break from pitching in 2024 due to elbow surgery. He then signed a groundbreaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers. If he clinches the NL MVP award, Ohtani will join Frank Robinson as the only players to win the MVP in both leagues.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes is making waves as a finalist for both the NL Cy Young Award and NL Rookie of the Year. The 22-year-old right-hander becomes the fifth rookie to finish among the top three in Cy Young Award voting. Notable players who have achieved this feat in the past include Mark Fidrych, Fernando Valenzuela, Dwight Gooden, and Jose Fernandez. Valenzuela is the only one to have won both awards in the same year in the National League.
Ohtani’s stellar performance in the 2024 season saw him hit .310, steal 59 bases, and lead the NL in homers with 54 and RBIs with 130 as a designated hitter. He became the first player to achieve 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a single season. Despite playing the final three games of the season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Ohtani played a crucial role in leading the Dodgers to the World Series title.
If Ohtani secures the MVP award, he will be the first primary designated hitter to achieve this feat. The winners of the major individual awards presented annually by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will be revealed next week.
Lindor, Marte, Judge, Witt, and Soto have all put up impressive numbers throughout the season, making them strong contenders for the MVP title. The competition is fierce, with each player showcasing their exceptional skills on the field.
In addition to the MVP award, finalists for the NL Cy Young Award and NL Rookie of the Year have also been announced. Players like Chris Sale, Zack Wheeler, and Skenes are in the running for the Cy Young Award, while Jackson Merrill, Jackson Chourio, Luis Gil, and Austin Wells are competing for the Rookie of the Year honors.
The baseball community is eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners, who will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the sport. Stay tuned for more updates on the final results and celebrate the achievements of these talented athletes.
