Early MVP Polls Mix New and Familiar Faces

In the National League, front runner Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers is far from a surprise. The Japanese star is looking to win his fourth-straight MVP, and his third consecutive NL MVP.

On the mound, Ohtani currently holds a: .82 ERA, .81 WHIP and a K/9 of 10. And at the dish he has a .293/.411/.516 slash line.

A young face in the NL MVP race however, James Wood of the Washington Nationals makes a surprising, but not unearned, appearance for the second spot in the NL MVP poll.

The youngster, just 23 years old, has made a significant impact in just his few seasons in Washington.

Wood, who was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft, came to the nation’s capital via the massive Juan Soto trade in 2022.

This trade saw the San Diego Padres part ways with, at the time, former and current top prospects: James Wood, CJ Abrams, Mackenzie Gore, Robert Hassell III and Jarlin Susana.

While Wood’s average currently sits at .267, it’s his OPS at .937 so far this season that has him at second in the poll. While his OBP of .403 is impressive, it pales in comparison to his slugging percentage of .534, not to mentioned he leads the league in runs, which in all has no doubt pushed him this high in MVP voting.

As for the American League, Houston Astro’s slugger Yordan Alvarez has found himself back in the MVP conversation and it’s no surprise to see why.

Alvarez is currently batting .305, but it’s his average in combination with his slugging percentage of .645 that has him at the top spot.

With such a high slugging percentage, alongside his OBP of .419, the Cuban currently holds an OPS of 1.065, the highest in the majors. And it doesn’t look like he’ll slow down anytime soon.

After being forced to miss a majority of the 2025 season with a hand injury he suffered in May as reported by Brian McTaggart on MLB.com. His return to the diamond has been one both the team and fans have longingly waited for, and it seems like Alvarez is not looking to disappoint.

Alvarez currently has 21 home runs to his name this year, second in the majors only to fellow MVP candidate, Philadelphia Philles’ slugger Kyle Schwarber, who at the moment sits at 22.

But as for now, it seems like Alvarez is looking to pick up where he left off, maybe even better than before.

As for other players found the top five, names like 3-time MVP winner Aaron Judge and two-time All-Star Bobby Witt Jr. are to be expected with talent both players have shown throughout each of their careers.

But budding talents Ben Rice of the New York Yankees and Nick Kurtz of the Athletics have made well-earned top 5 appearances.

Nick Kurtz took home the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year award last season after a simply sensational rookie campaign. During his award-winning season, Kurtz batter .290 and slugged .619 with 64 XBH, 36 of which were home runs.

And Kurtz looks to build off his spectacular rookie season, with a .289/.440/.512 slash line so far this year. His 57-point improvement in OBP from last season undoubtedly comes from his walk rate this season. Kurtz currently has the second-most walks, at 55, in the majors, only trailing stat leader Mike Trout by three.

Ben Rice of Yankees fame has also had a spectacular season at the plate. The first baseman in pinstripes is currently batting .305 with an OBP of .397. But it’s the slugging numbers that truly put into perspective just how dangerous he is.

Rice, who made his debut just two seasons ago in 2024, currently leads the MLB in slugging, with a .650 slugging percentage.

This seasons MVP races have been full of faces, new and old. But with more than half the season left to play, these polls are far from final.

Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official