Major League Baseball unveiled the 2026 end-of-season awards finalists and winners, spotlighting standout campaigns from Yordan Alvarez, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Dylan Cease as the league transitions into the winter months.
Crow-Armstrong Leads MVP Race as Cease Enters Free Agency
- Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 40-40 season makes him the favorite for the NL MVP Award.
- Dylan Cease enters the free-agent market with his stock soaring following a 239-strikeout campaign with Toronto.
The American League MVP Race
Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez put together a dominant offensive season, reaching over 40 home runs for the first time while leading the league with a .316 batting average and a 1.033 OPS, sportingnews.com reported. Alvarez played in 158 games and took nearly 700 plate appearances, falling just short of a Triple Crown as Pete Alonso belted 43 homers.
Joining him as a finalist, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero hit 42 home runs and posted an .884 OPS across 162 games, establishing himself as a fixture in the AL East powerhouse. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. rounded out the finalists, securing his spot with elite defensive metrics and 45 stolen bases despite a slight dip in his offensive production compared to previous years.
Crow-Armstrong, Ohtani and Turang Lead MVP Finalist List
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong headlined the National League by leading all of baseball with 45 home runs, adding 41 stolen bases and a 9.8 bWAR to capture the league’s top spotlight.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani earned another finalist nod despite injuries limiting his mound work to half a season, where he still posted a 1.79 ERA and hit his thirtieth home run for the sixth straight year, according to mlb.com reporting.
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang joined them as a first-time finalist after batting .268 with 21 home runs, 100 RBIs, and elite Gold Glove defense that powered the World Series champions.
Cy Young Contenders on Both Coasts
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease anchored his new staff with a 2.40 ERA and a career-high 239 strikeouts across 29 starts after signing a seven-year, $210 million contract in November 2025. In the Bronx, Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler led the American League with a 1.95 ERA and a 7.0 bWAR over 193.2 innings.
Over in the National League, Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski paced the majors with a sparkling 1.80 ERA, outdueling veteran Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale, who posted a 2.16 ERA in 27 starts at 37 years old, and Philadelphia Phillies workhorse Cristopher Sanchez, who led the NL with 18 wins and 207 innings.
| Award Category | Winner / Finalist | Key Stat / Metric |
|---|---|---|
| AL Rookie of the Year | Kevin McGonigle (Tigers) | 7.1 bWAR, .806 OPS |
| NL Rookie of the Year | Sal Stewart (Reds) | 32 HR, 112 RBIs |
| AL Manager of the Year | Kevin Cash (Rays) | 98 Wins, AL East Crown |
McGonigle and Stewart Win Rookie Awards While Managers Lead Turnarounds
Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle captured the American League Rookie of the Year award by pacing all AL rookies in plate appearances while posting a 7.1 bWAR and 18 home runs. Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart took home National League Rookie of the Year honors by setting a rookie record with 112 RBIs alongside 32 home runs.
Meanwhile, managerial races highlighted major turnarounds, with Kevin Cash guiding the Rays to 98 wins and Chad Tracy steering the Boston Red Sox back to postseason contention following a 15-game winning streak.
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