Ten Bona Fide MVP Candidates In Major League Baseball This Year

These ten players are contenders for MVP in their respective leagues.

We’re roughly a week since opening day of the 2025 MLB Season. These ten players, five in each league (MLB awards an MVP for each league) will contend for the MVP from start to finish.

Los Angeles Dodgers OF/DH/SP Shohei Ohtani

It’s unclear if/when Ohtani will return to pitching this season. But, if he never takes the mound, the three-time MVP is still the MVP favorite. He’s the best left-handed offensive player in baseball, when you factor in his baserunning that puts him ahead of Juan Soto. Ohtani had a ludicrous 54 homers and 59 stolen bases last year. There’s no reason he can’t repeat those numbers this year.

New York Mets OF Juan Soto

The most expensive baseball player in history would get significant consideration for the Hall of Fame if his career ended today at the age of just 26. He’s a destroyer of pitching, one of the few players all-time capable of a 200 OPS+ season. If Ohtani slips a bit, consider Soto the favorite.

San Diego Padres OF Fernando Tatis Jr.

Fernando Tatis Jr. was once considered a lock to win an MVP in the future before testing positive for PED’s. That suspension, along with an injury, meant he missed the entire 2022 season. Since, he’s moved from shortstop to the outfield, and continues to mash at the plate. He definitely has the talent to be an MVP contender.

Los Angeles Dodgers OF/IF Mookie Betts

Somehow, the Los Angeles Dodgers have the two most versatile players in the league in Betts and Ohtani. Betts was dealing with health issues coming into the season, having lost nearly 20 pounds from an illness. The future Hall of Famer hasn’t missed a beat since the season started, and is a perennial MVP candidate.

Cincinnati Reds SS Elly De La Cruz

Elly De La Cruz has established himself as one of the league’s most exciting players and is in his age 23 season this year. 25 homers and 67 stolen bases highlighted a stellar 2024 campaign. If he can cut down from a whopping 218 strikeouts, He could be a 40/40 member.

New York Yankees OF Aaron Judge

Judge, the best regular season hitter on the planet, is the favorite in the American League. Over the last three seasons, he’s averaged just under 60 home runs per 162 games while winning two MVP’s. He already has 4 big flies in the first week of the season.

Baltimore Orioles SS Gunnar Henderson

Henderson quietly, somehow, put up a 9 WAR season last year at just 23, among the greatest seasons in baseball history for a player that age. It’s hard to beat out Aaron Judge, but Henderson could really make a run for it if he takes another step forward this year.

Kansas City Royals SS Bobby Witt

There’s an incredible crop of young shortstops in Major League Baseball right now, and Witt is the best of the bunch. Arguably the best young shortstop since Alex Rodriguez, Witt won a batting title in 2024 while hitting 32 homers, stealing 31 bases, and playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at just 24. How can a guy like that not be a top-tier contender for MVP?

Seattle Mariners OF Julio Rodriguez

After two top-ten MVP finishes in his age 21 and 22 seasons to start his career, Rodriguez slumped a bit at the plate in 2024. But, he’s a player that has 40/40 potential with elite defensive at a premium position in centerfield, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him reach those lofty numbers this year.

Toronto Blue Jays 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

How many times in sports have we seen a player step it up a notch when they are in a contract year? Vladdy’s contract will expire at the end of this year, and one of the game’s best hitters is extra motivated to have a monster year. That’s a scary proposition for opponents, and it’s something that can’t be ignored when handicapping the AL MVP race.