MLB Award Predictions 2026
Expert predictions for every major 2026 MLB award: MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and more. Full analysis for both leagues.
American League MVP
Latest NewsJudge remains the gold standard for AL MVP production. A .300/.400/.600 season with 50+ HR and a deep postseason run seals the deal. The voters love his leadership and his numbers are impossible to ignore.
Ramirez's five-tool profile — power, speed, contact, defense, leadership — makes him the strongest challenger. If he approaches 35 HR and 30 SB again, he creates a compelling case.
The young shortstop's continued development makes him the most exciting sleeper candidate. A .310 average with 25 HR and 40 SB would put him firmly in the conversation.
National League MVP
Latest NewsFreeman is the most consistently elite hitter in the NL. His combination of a .300+ average, elite OBP, and 25-30 HR on a championship-caliber team keeps him at the top of every NL MVP discussion.
If Acuna stays healthy for a full season, his unique combination of power and elite speed makes him the most dangerous challenger. A 40-40 campaign would end any MVP debate immediately.
Betts's all-around excellence and multi-position eligibility add to his value. Two-way voters reward his defensive excellence alongside elite offensive production.
AL Cy Young Award
Latest NewsThe best pitcher in the American League when fully healthy. Elite strikeout rates, consistent sub-3.00 ERA, and excellent control put Cole at the front of the AL Cy Young race every year.
Now with Baltimore, Burnes will be motivated to prove his move was smart. His cutter/sinker combination produces weak contact at an elite rate, keeping his ERA consistently low.
If Bieber returns fully healthy, his pinpoint command and elite K/BB ratio could vault him back into Cy Young contention in a flash. Health is the only question mark.
NL Cy Young Award
Latest NewsThe hardest pitch to hit in baseball. Strider's explosive four-seamer and elite swing-and-miss rate produce elite strikeout numbers. If he pitches 180+ innings, the NL Cy Young is his to lose.
The most durable elite pitcher in the NL. Wheeler's workhorse mentality and elite stuff year after year make him a perennial Cy Young finalist. Innings and consistency are his calling cards.
Webb's elite sinker and impeccable control produce ground balls and weak contact consistently. He is the best contact-management pitcher in the NL and wins games without dominant strikeout numbers.
AL Rookie of the Year
Latest NewsThe consensus top prospect in baseball for the past two years. Holliday's elite bat-to-ball skills and advanced plate approach make him a future star at shortstop for Baltimore.
The raw athleticism and power projection are off the charts. If Langford makes contact at the MLB level, he could challenge Holliday for AL Rookie of the Year honors.
Detroit's rebuild is producing talent, and Keith is at the front. A high-average hitter with gap power who could hit .280 with 20 HR in his first full season.
NL Rookie of the Year
Latest NewsThe generational pitching prospect making his first full MLB season. Skenes's elite fastball velocity combined with wipeout secondary pitches makes him the most exciting pitching prospect to debut in years.
Massive frame with elite power-speed combination. Wood's first full season could produce eye-opening numbers that capture the imagination of NL voters.
Another high-ceiling prospect getting his chance in Washington. Crews's patient approach and emerging power upside makes him a legitimate challenger if he debuts early in 2026.
How MLB Awards Are Decided
The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) votes on the four primary awards — MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year — after the regular season concludes but before the postseason begins. Each team's market has two designated BBWAA voters who submit their ballots independently.
For the MVP, voters rank their top ten players across the entire league (not just their division or team). First-place votes earn 14 points, second-place votes earn 9 points, and so on down to one point for tenth place. The player with the most points across all ballots wins.
The Gold Glove Award uses a different process — managers and coaches vote for the best defensive players at each position in their respective leagues. In recent years, the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Defensive Index contributes to the voting formula alongside manager/coach ballots, giving analytical rigor to the historically subjective award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who votes for MLB awards?
Most major MLB awards are voted on by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). Each team's market has two designated voters who submit ballots for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year. The Gold Glove Awards are voted on by managers and coaches, with fan voting also playing a role in recent years.
When are MLB awards announced?
MLB awards are announced in November, following the conclusion of the World Series. The Rookie of the Year is typically announced first, followed by Manager of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP. The exact dates are announced by MLB in advance each year.
Can a pitcher win the MVP award?
Yes, pitchers are eligible for the MVP award, though it is rare. The most recent pitcher to win the MVP was Clayton Kershaw in 2014. Shohei Ohtani's two-way contributions make him a perennial MVP candidate who occupies a unique category as both a pitcher and hitter.
What is the Cy Young Award?
The Cy Young Award is presented annually to the best pitcher in each league (one AL winner, one NL winner), as voted by the BBWAA. Named after Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who won 511 games, the award has been given since 1956. Voters consider ERA, wins, strikeouts, WHIP, and other performance metrics.