Team-by-team AL MVPs: Why Yankees' Max Fried, six other pitchers get the nod

Six months before the end of the regular season, Yardbarker's MLB writers identify the MVP so far on each American League team. (All statistics through April 27.)

AL East

BALTIMORE ORIOLES | CF Cedric Mullins | The Orioles have a lot of issues, but center field isn’t one of them, thanks to Mullins. The 30-year-old sports a strong .279/.421/.547 slash on the season and a .967 OPS.

BOSTON RED SOX | LHP Garrett Crochet | The Red Sox have needed an ace pitcher for years, and with Crochet recently signing a six-year, $170 million extension, he’s living up to the hype. The big southpaw has a 1.95 ERA over his first six starts of 2025 and should be in the American League Cy Young conversation all season. 

NEW YORK YANKEES | LHP Max Fried | We all know how great outfielder Aaron Judge is, but considering all the injuries to the pitching staff, Fried gets the nod. The veteran lefty has a sterling 1.43 ERA over his first six starts while stepping up as the de facto ace of New York’s banged-up staff.

TAMPA BAY RAYS | 1B Jonathan Aranda | Aranda is still swinging a hot bat for the Rays, with a .309 batting average and .968 OPS. With those numbers, he has solidified himself as a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat in a Rays lineup that ranks near league average in terms of offensive production.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS | RHP Jeff Hoffman | Hoffman has stepped up in a major way for the Blue Jays, with a 1.35 ERA in 12 April appearances thus far. Late-inning relief tends to be a luxury rather than a necessity for teams that are unlikely to contend, however, which means Hoffman could find himself on the trade block this summer. — Seth Carlson

AL West

ATHLETICS | 1B Tyler Soderstrom | Soderstrom, one of the best hitters in the American League, is tied for second in the AL with nine homers. He appears to have taken the next step forward and may be the A’s next extension candidate.

HOUSTON ASTROS | Pitcher Hunter Brown | The Astros needed someone to step up in the rotation in the wake of  injuries and Brown has done exactly that. In 37 innings, he has a 1.22 ERA, 40 strikeouts and seven walks.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS | Closer Kenley Jansen |  Signed to a one-year, $10M contract for the 2025 season, Jansen was viewed as a bridge for Ben Joyce as the closer. Instead, Jansen has been virtually untouchable, allowing five hits and two walks over eight shutout innings and recording six saves.

SEATTLE MARINERS | Closer Andres Munoz | Munoz is one of the best closers in baseball and one of the best players in the American League. He is tied for the AL lead with 10 saves. Plus, he has allowed five hits in 14 innings and struck out 18. 

TEXAS RANGERS | OF Wyatt Langford | Langford was an early-season favorite for the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year but did not live up to expectations. He is showing the potential that led to his being tabbed a future star, posting a .344/.419/.688 batting line in 74 plate appearances with six homers and four doubles. — David Hill

AL Central  

CHICAGO WHITE SOX | Pitcher Shane Smith | The first overall selection in the Rule 5 Draft in November, Smith appears to be a steal for the White Sox. He has a 2.30 ERA and a 0.951 WHIP in his 27.1 innings with 22 strikeouts and nine walks.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS | OF Steven Kwan | Kwan has taken his game to another level. He has a .346/.397/.505 batting line in his 117 plate appearances with four homers and five doubles and four stolen bases.

DETROIT TIGERS | OF/IF Zach McKinstry | McKinstry has found himself in the lineup virtually every day for the Tigers, appearing at five different positions defensively. His bat is ensuring that he stays in the lineup (.321/.426/.476 batting line in 102 plate appearances). He has a big-league-leading three triples.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS | SS Bobby Witt Jr. | One of the preseason favorites to win the 2025 AL MVP, Witt (.315 BA, 11 RBI) has certainly done his part thus far for the Royals. He has continued to be one of the few bright spots in a mediocre lineup, a catalyst with the bat while playing Gold Glove-caliber defense.

MINNESOTA TWINS | OF Harrison Bader | Bader is off to a solid start offensively for the Twins, ranking third on the team with a 107 OPS+ among players with at least 35 plate appearances. However, he has made his biggest mark defensively, saving six runs. — David Hill