With spring training starting this week for most teams, it’s time to start thinking about who could be named MLB MVP in 2024. The AL and NL MVP races both have the potential to be closer than they’ve been in a long time, with dozens of names to seriously consider. Today, we’ll be narrowing it down to the three most likely candidates in each league, and what they bring to the table.
As we delve into these potential MVPs, it’s worth mentioning that many sportsbooks have already released their 2024 MLB MVP odds. For those interested in placing MLB futures bets, insights about legal sports betting states are available at Overtime Heroics.
AL MVP
Aaron Judge
Just a season removed from the greatest home run hitting season since prime Barry Bonds, Aaron Judge is at near the top of everyone’s 2024 AL MVP list, and for good reason. While the Yankees suffered through a down year in 2023, Judge was every bit as dynamic as his 2022 MVP campaign when he was on the field, finishing with an OPS over 1000 for the second straight season.
Juan Soto
Judge’s new teammate in the Big Apple, Juan Soto put his rough half-season with the Padres in 2022 behind him in 2023, leading all of MLB in walks while finishing 6th in NL MVP voting. Now in New York, many are expecting Soto to put up the type of monster numbers that we saw during his time with the Nationals.
Yordan Álvarez
One of the heroes of the Houston Astros 2022 World Series run, Yordan Álvarez is undoubtedly an MVP-level hitter. The 26-year-old slugger has one of the most vicious swings in baseball, but just hasn’t been able to play enough games to take home the prestigious award. Anchoring the middle of the Astros order once again, Álvarez should be right in the thick of the 2024 MVP race if he can play 150+ games.
NL MVP
Shohei Ohtani
It’s a testament to just how ridiculous Shoehei Ohtani is: we’re still talking about him as a top-tier MVP candidate despite having elbow surgery that will stop him from pitching in 2024. The MLB’s first elite two-way player since Babe Ruth won two of the last three AL MVPs with the Angels, and his insane ability at the plate might just carry him to a third with the Dodgers this time around.
Ronald Acuña Jr.
The reigning NL MVP in a landslide, Ronald Acuña Jr. overcame injury-riddled seasons to put together a mesmerizing display of power and base stealing that we’ve never seen on the diamond before. Coming off a 104 win season, the Braves are stacked once again, and health is probably the only thing holding Acuña back from another top three MVP finish.
Mookie Betts
Mookie Betts is one of the most well-rounded hitters in baseball history and has been basically an absolute lock to be in MVP conversations every season since 2016, even if he’s only actually taken home the award a single time. 2023 was Mookie’s best single season since joining the Dodgers, which saw him return to the upper echelon of elite hitters alongside his consistently excellent defense in right field.
