Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been named a finalist for his first National League MVP award, having previously won the American League honor twice. He is joined by New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte in the top three for NL voting.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is also a finalist for his second American League MVP in three seasons. He is accompanied by Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto.
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 record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers. If Ohtani wins the NL MVP, he will join Frank Robinson as the only players to have won the award in both leagues.
Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes is a finalist for both the NL Cy Young Award and NL Rookie of the Year. The 22-year-old right-hander is the fifth rookie to finish among the top three in Cy Young Award voting, following the likes of Mark Fidrych, Fernando Valenzuela, Dwight Gooden, and José Fernández. Valenzuela is the only one to have won both awards in the same year.
Ohtani had an outstanding season, hitting .310, stealing 59 bases, and leading the NL with 54 home runs and 130 RBIs as a designated hitter. He became the first player to achieve 50 or more home runs and stolen bases in a single season. Despite playing with a torn labrum in his left shoulder during the World Series, Ohtani helped the Dodgers secure the championship.
If Ohtani wins the NL MVP, he will be the first primary designated hitter to receive the award. The winners of the major individual awards presented by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will be announced next week.
Other notable finalists include Lindor, Marte, Judge, Witt, Soto, Chris Sale, Zack Wheeler, Tarik Skubal, Seth Lugo, Emmanuel Clase, Jackson Merrill, Jackson Chourio, Luis Gil, Austin Wells, Colton Cowser, Stephen Vogt, Matt Quatraro, and A.J. Hinch.
