Top Five AL MVP Candidates

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August 9, 2024

As Major League Baseball enters the “dog days” of August and title races begin to wrap up, the best hitters across the American league have separated themselves from the pack. The best of the best have dominated all year and will win awards for it. But of the best in the American League, who is in contention for the MVP? While there are many talented players, these are the top five AL MVP Candidates.

5. Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have been one of baseball’s best surprises this season. Leading the way is the emergence of Jarren Duran. While he has been a starter previously, the center fielder has seemingly put it all together this season. After getting his first All-Star nod, he took home All-Star MVP for an outstanding performance in the game. Duran also leads the majors in plate appearances, at-bats, and triples, showing his availability and resistance to injury. While maintaining a .349 on-base percentage, Duran leads the American League in doubles and has boosted the Red Sox offense massively. While Duran is not a true contender, the Red Sox outfielder deserves a nod for his stellar year.

4. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles

After winning Rookie of the Year last season in the American League, Gunnar Henderson is going for the MVP. The Baltimore Orioles shortstop has emerged as one of baseball’s best young power hitters, making his mark across the American League. While receiving his first All-Star selection this season, Henderson has hit 29 home runs, has a batting average of .285, and an on-base percentage of .373. This all culminates in Henderson’s excellent .926 OPS on the season. It also helps that Baltimore is one of the best teams in baseball and the current first seed in the American League playoffs. Unfortunately, Henderson’s emergence comes during many great seasons, making it hard for him to contend. While he likely won’t win it this year, Henderson will likely be a contender for years.

3. Juan Soto, New York Yankees

After being traded to the New York Yankees in December, Juan Soto has found his home. The Yankees outfielder has been one of the most impressive players in baseball this year. Soto has an OPS of 1.015, an on-base percentage of .431, and a batting average of .305. While Soto’s defense has been a significant knock on the outfielder’s game throughout his career, Soto has improved drastically and has taken his historically negative dWAR to a positive number for only the second time in his career. While Soto has mainly been outshined by his Yankee teammate, later to come in the ranking, Soto has been excellent. Managing to maintain the best vision of any batter in the majors while improving his dWAR earns Soto a high ranking for MVP.

2. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

Bobby Witt Jr. is likely the most well-rounded player in baseball today. Witt’s unique mix of power, contact, and speed is something of legend that made him a top prospect for years. All these incredible skills have finally come together in a year where the Kansas City Royals are in playoff contention, primarily because of Witt. The Royals shortstop currently leads the major leagues in runs, hits, batting average with .349, and total bases. In a year where many expected the Royals to be a mediocre team, Witt has them at 64–52 in the thick of playoff contention. His unique combination of power and speed also seems poised to land him in the 40-40 club several times in his career. Unfortunately, it came this year, but any other season and Witt would likely run away with AL MVP.

1. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

After hitting 62 home runs two seasons ago, Aaron Judge may top it this year. While not hitting that same numerical mark, the New York Yankees outfielder is having a better overall season. Judge leads the majors in home runs with 41, 104 RBI, and 95 walks drawn. He also leads on-base percentage at a ridiculous .456 and slugging at .691. This also doesn’t include Judge’s 1.147 OPS and his Barry Bonds-esque 12 intentional walks. The Yankees captain is simply in another stratosphere of hitting right now, and if he hadn’t slumped to start the season, he could have broken his home run record. While Witt, Soto, and Henderson are AL MVP Candidates, Judge is undoubtedly the 2024 American League MVP as long as the Yankees stay in playoff contention.