Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge Lead the Pack as 2024 MLB MVP Finalists

The finalists for the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards have been announced, and the competition is fierce. In the American League, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals, and Juan Soto of the Yankees are the top contenders. Judge is seeking his second MVP Award, having previously won in 2022, and he had a standout season with a .322 batting average, 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, and 133 walks in 158 games. His performance was highlighted by his league-leading home runs, RBIs, and on-base percentage, making a strong case for his second MVP title.

In the National League, the finalists include Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, and Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ohtani, who is aiming for his third MVP Award and second consecutive, had a historic season. He became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 or more home runs and record 50 or more stolen bases in the same season. Despite being a designated hitter, Ohtani led the NL in several key categories, including runs scored, home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.

Francisco Lindor’s candidacy is built on his all-around excellence, particularly his defensive prowess. Lindor compiled more offensive WAR than any other National League position player except Ohtani and was a top defender at his position. Ketel Marte also had an impressive season, outperforming all other second basemen in baseball with 36 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a 6.3 WAR, making him a strong contender for the award.

The winners of the MVP Awards will be announced on November 21 on MLB Network, marking the culmination of an exciting awards season that has seen some of the most impressive individual performances in recent MLB history.