MLB Award Races Heating Up One Month Into 2026 Season

In-Depth Analysis

**American League MVP:**

Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros is off to a torrid start, challenging Aaron Judge for the AL MVP. Alvarez is hitting .326/.430/.667 with 12 home runs. Judge is hitting .252/.381/.622, also with 12 homers. Other contenders include Ben Rice, Bobby Witt Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

**National League MVP:**

Shohei Ohtani is the frontrunner, excelling as both a pitcher and hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Elly De La Cruz and Corbin Carroll are also in the mix. Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto, and Matt Olson are potential contenders.

**American League Cy Young:**

Jose Soriano, Tarik Skubal, and Cam Schlittler are the early favorites. Dylan Cease, Max Fried, and Jacob deGrom are also in contention.

**National League Cy Young:**

Shohei Ohtani is again a top contender, along with Paul Skenes and Chris Sale. Cristopher Sanchez, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Jacob Misiorowski are also in the conversation.

**American League Rookie of the Year:**

Kevin McGonigle, Munetaka Murakami, and Chase DeLauter are the frontrunners. Parker Messick and Carter Jensen are also notable.

**National League Rookie of the Year:**

Sal Stewart, Nolan McLean, and JJ Wetherholt are the early favorites. Konnor Griffin and Moises Ballesteros are also contenders.

**Manager of the Year:**

Mark Kotsay (AL) and Don Kelly (NL) are early candidates, leading their teams to surprising success despite challenges and low expectations.

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FAQ

Who are the frontrunners for AL MVP?

Yordan Alvarez and Aaron Judge.

Who is a strong contender for both AL and NL Cy Young?

Shohei Ohtani.

Which rookies are making an impact?

Kevin McGonigle (AL) and Sal Stewart (NL).

Takeaways

The 2026 MLB season is showcasing exceptional individual performances, setting up thrilling award races.
Yordan Alvarez and Aaron Judge are locked in a tight battle for AL MVP.
Shohei Ohtani’s dominance on both the mound and at the plate makes him a strong contender for multiple awards.
Keep an eye on emerging rookies who are making significant contributions to their teams.
Managerial decisions are proving crucial, with several managers leading their teams to exceed expectations.

Discussion

Do you think Yordan Alvarez can unseat Aaron Judge for the AL MVP? Who will win the Cy Young Awards? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!

Sources

Will Astros’ Yordan Alvarez challenge Aaron Judge for AL MVP in 2026? Checking In on MLB’s Award Races After One Month: Cy Shohei? Yankees’ Aaron Judge locked in two-horse AL MVP race one month into 2026 season

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