Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning in Game 1 of MLB’s NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Shohei Ohtani, the first 50-50 player in major league history, and Triple Crown threat Aaron Judge lead the MLB Most Valuable Player finalists revealed on Monday.
The reigning American League MVP, Ohtani dominated his first season in the National League, joining the Dodgers and hitting an NL-best 54 home runs, 59 steals and a Major-League-best 134 runs scored, primarily as a leadoff pitcher for Los Angeles. Were created from location.
Article continues after this ad
READ: Japan surprised as Shohei Ohtani makes MLB history
Judge was part of a spectacular 1-2 punch with Juan Soto in the middle of the Yankees’ lineup, hitting a major-league-high 58 home runs to help New York win the American League East.
The 2022 AL MVP batted .322, third best in baseball, and led the majors with 144 RBI, .458 on-base percentage, .701 slugging percentage and 133 walks.
Article continues after this ad
A three-time American League Player of the Month in 2024, Judge was named Player’s Choice Award Player of the Year last month.
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees walks back to the dugout after striking out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning in Game 2 of the Baseball World Series on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
Soto, another AL MVP finalist, led the league with 128 runs batted in while hitting a career-high 41 home runs. His .419 on-base percentage was behind only Judge.
Rounding out the list of finalists in the AL is Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who took the top spot in batting average, .332 – nine points higher than second place. Witt also had 31 steals as well as 32 home runs for the upstart Royals, who made the postseason for the first time in nine seasons.
Read: Shohei Ohtani crosses the 50-50 mark in spectacular style
Ohtani is joined by New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketal Marte as NL MVP finalists.
Lindor powered the Mets’ postseason run by catching fire at the plate. In the second half of the season, Lindor batted .306 with a .368 on-base percentage, helping the Mets make the NLCS. The four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner finished with a .274 average, 33 home runs, 39 doubles and 91 RBI.
Marte set career highs in RBI (95) and home runs (36). Marte’s slugging percentage (.560) was good for second in the league behind Ohtani’s .646. The 89–73 Diamondbacks barely missed a spot in the postseason.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
The MVP winners, voted on by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, will be announced on November 21. Ballots take place before the start of the postseason and are based on a weighted points system.
