Latest MVP polls show runaway in both leagues, but others still making noise

With every MLB team having reached or passed the halfway point of its season, the MVP races in both leagues are coming into focus. And, judging by the results of our latest poll, both races have become runaways.

Though there's been some shuffling among the list of names overall, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone paying attention that the survey of 33 MLB.com experts shows Yordan Alvarez and Shohei Ohtani with substantial leads over the rest of the competition in their respective leagues. Still, a total of 30 players received at least one vote across both leagues, signaling that the talent level this season is immense.

As a reminder, votes were based not only on results so far, but also on how things are expected to play out the rest of the season.

Voters ranked their top five picks in each league on a 5-4-3-2-1 scale -- five points for a first-place vote, four points for a second-place vote and so on. Here are the results.

All stats are through Sunday.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

1. Yordan Alvarez, Astros (148 total points; 21 first-place votes)

Alvarez has widened his lead since the last poll, thanks to both his ongoing stellar play and a rib injury to two-time reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge. But Judge's absence does not take away anything from Alvarez's impressive season. He enters Monday with an MLB-best 1.039 OPS and is tied for the AL lead with 25 homers. He's also first in the Majors in total bases (185) and on-base percentage (.426), and second in the AL in batting average (.311). Though his 56 RBIs rank fifth in the AL, Alvarez is still within striking distance of a Triple Crown.

2. Nick Kurtz, A's (87 total points; 1 first-place vote)

Kurtz, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, continues to be an on-base machine who also mashes. His nine homers in June entering Monday were tied for the AL lead, while his 23 RBIs this month were just one off the lead. For the season, Kurtz leads the Majors with 64 RBIs and 73 walks, and leads the AL with 59 runs scored. Meanwhile, his .423 on-base percentage is second only to Alvarez's among all MLB hitters.

3. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals (83 total points; 6 first-place votes)

Witt remains one of baseball's elite five-tool players, though you might not realize if you give a quick glance at some of the traditional stats this season. The two-time 30-30 player entered Monday hitting .288 with 10 homers and an .819 OPS. Not flashy, but all well above average. Combine that with his AL-best 28 stolen bases and way-ahead-of-the-pack 15 Outs Above Average at shortstop, and that's an MVP-caliber player. That's why Witt leads all AL position players with 4.3 bWAR.

4. Ben Rice, Yankees (57 total points; 2 first-place votes)

Rice has been among the league leaders in homers and OPS for most of the season. Though he's cooled down in June, his 22 homers entering Monday were tied for third in the AL, while his .928 OPS was fifth-best. He also ranked third in the AL with 39 extra-base hits and fourth with 164 total bases. He's helped keep the Yankees in the hunt for the AL East title in Judge's absence.

5. Junior Caminero, Rays (52 total points; 3 first-place votes)

Caminero has forced his way into the top five with a crazy-hot past week that's come at the end of a strong June for the Rays' third baseman. Over his previous six games through Sunday, Caminero hit a staggering .500 with an equally staggering seven homers and an even more staggering 2.031 OPS. That makes his overall 1.058 OPS so far in June seem rather pedestrian. For the season, he has 22 homers and a .932 OPS as he's helped the Rays surge into first place.

Others receiving votes: Byron Buxton, Twins; Dillon Dingler, Tigers; Aaron Judge, Yankees; Yandy Díaz, Rays; Kevin McGonigle, Tigers; Julio Rodríguez, Mariners; Cam Schlittler, Yankees; Cody Bellinger, Yankees; Colson Montgomery, White Sox; Willson Contreras, Red Sox

NATIONAL LEAGUE

1. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (161 total points; 30 first-place votes)

What Ohtani continues to do on both sides the ball is remarkable, if that's even a strong enough word. As a hitter, his .412 on-base percentage entering Monday was best in the NL, while his .950 OPS ranked third. On the mound, his 1.58 ERA would rank second in the NL if he had enough innings to qualify. He's made 13 starts, has an 8-2 record and has struck out 86 batters in 79 2/3 innings. As a hitter, his average exit velocity is just over 94 mph. As a pitcher, his average fastball velocity is a tick under 98 mph. It all translates to a 5.4 bWAR, the highest among all MLB players. A fourth-straight MVP award -- and fifth overall -- sure feels likely.

2. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (85 total points; 2 first-place votes)

Hey, Chicago, whaddya say? How about this PCA?! Since the start of June, Crow-Armstrong has forced his way into the MVP discussion with an outstanding offensive showing. He's hit .367 so far this month, with 10 homers and a 1.213 OPS -- the highest mark of any qualified MLB player. The offensive eruption has raised PCA's season OPS by 150 percentage points, and his 5.0 bWAR through Sunday was the highest of any MLB position player.

3. Kyle Schwarber , Phillies (79 total points; 1 first-place vote)

Schwarbs just continues to crush baseballs. He launched his MLB-leading 30th homer on Sunday, while no other big league hitter had more than 25. His .591 slugging percentage is best in the NL, while his .962 OPS ranks second. He had 178 total bases on the season entering Monday, also best in the Senior Circuit. Schwarber finished second in NL MVP voting last season. A similarly strong showing appears to be on tap this season.

4. Corbin Carroll, D-backs (51 total points)

Mr. Triples has once again reached double digits in three-baggers -- and it's still June! He's led the NL or all of baseball in triples each of the past three seasons, and he's right on track to do it again in 2026. Of course, triples alone don't necessarily make someone an MVP candidate. And Corbin is more than a triples threat. But he is a triple threat. He can also hit homers and steal bases, as his 30-30 season last year showed. He's got an outside shot to re-up his membership in that club this season.

5. Juan Soto, Mets (37 total points)

This is Soto's first appearance in the top five this season, but it was just a matter of time. After a somewhat up-and-down first two months -- even though his OPS hasn't been below .800 since March 28 -- that included time missed to injury, Soto has resumed his standing at one of the game's elite on-base and power threats. Since June 11, he's hit .408 with a 1.295 OPS. For the season, his .973 OPS entering Monday was best the NL.

Others receiving votes: Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers; James Wood, Nationals; Bryce Harper, Phillies; Matt Olson, Braves; Jordan Walker, Cardinals; Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies; Otto Lopez, Marlins; CJ Abrams, Nationals; Andy Pages, Dodgers; JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals