Three National League MVP candidates not named Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani should win his fourth straight MVP Award in 2026 — three-straight in the National League — but it's not a given. The National League has a plethora of players who could challenge Ohtani for the award and finally dethrone him. 

Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies 

Schwarber was the runner-up for the MVP Award last season after putting together a career season. A three-time All-Star, Schwarber played in all 162 games and led the National League in home runs (56) and MLB in RBI (132). 

Schwarber also had his third consecutive season of 100+ walks. This breakout season got Schwarber paid, earning him a five-year, $150 million contract. 

Putting together a solid spring from a power perspective — two home runs, a double and four RBI — Schwarber seems poised to add onto last season. 

Shortstop Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds

Already a two-time All-Star in three seasons, De La Cruz is primed for a breakout season in 2026. Finishing eighth in the voting in 2024 and 23rd last year, De La Cruz showed a lot of improvement. 

After leading Major League Baseball in strikeouts (218) in 2024, De La Cruz massively cut down on his swing and miss (181) in 2025. Elly’s strikeout percentage also dropped, going from 31.3 percent in 2024 to 25.9 percent in 2025. 

Having a combination of speed, power and contact, De La Cruz is a candidate to have a 20/20/20 season (20 doubles, triples and home runs). The last players to do so were shortstop Jimmy Rollins and outfielder Curtis Granderson in 2007. De La Cruz had 31 doubles, seven triples and 22 home runs last season. 

Outfielder Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers

A former MVP (2018), Yelich has quietly continued to be a productive big leaguer in Milwaukee. Yelich had a great bounce-back season — .264 batting average with a .795 OPS in 150 games — after dealing with a back injury in 2024. 

Yelich, a three-time All-Star, also experienced a power resurgence in 2025, mashing 29 home runs and surpassing 20 for the first time since 2019 (44). He finished second in the MVP voting in 2019 — .329/.429/.671 with a 1.100 OPS — behind outfielder Cody Bellinger. 

Yelich could expect to get back to being the all-around player he's been in his now 14-year career.