Andy Pages is the Dodgers' hidden MVP candidate

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is the favorite to win the National League MVP award for a third consecutive season. However, the Dodgers have another player who could find himself in the middle of the MVP conversation.

Outfielder Andy Pages has taken a significant step forward thus far in the 2026 season. He has posted a .295/.342/.535 batting line in his 237 plate appearances entering Sunday, hitting 13 homers and 13 doubles while driving in a major league leading 50 runs and leading NL hitters with 2.7 fWAR.

Pages had been regarded as a solid prospect for the Dodgers, spending time on top 100 lists between 2022 and 2024. He was considered to have plus raw power and an impressive arm in the outfield, although his aggressive approach could work against him. Nonetheless, he was viewed as a future 30-home run hitter who could be a fixture in the middle of the Dodgers lineup.

Everything coming together for Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages in 2026

His first two major league seasons matched his scouting report. Pages posted a solid .262/.310/.439 over his 1067 plate appearances between 2024 and 2025, hitting 40 homers and 50 doubles while stealing 15 bases. However, a 5.4% walk rate and a 22.8% strikeout rate limited his effectiveness at the plate.

Although Pages is continuing to chase pitches, he has also been more selective this season and has made more consistent contact. His Statcast page shows that progress as Pages has a career high hard-hit percentage, strikeout rate and average exit velocity. 

Pages has been a key part of the Dodgers' success this season. If he can sustain his progress, he could find himself in the midst of the NL MVP conversation at the end of the season.