MLB releases early 2026 MVP and Cy Young rankings after Memorial Day
Shohei Ohtani leads National League Cy Young consideration while posting strong pitching numbers for the Dodgers. Bobby Witt Jr. tops American League MVP rankings through late May.
sportsnet.caESPN published its first 2026 monthly awards watch on May 26, listing early leaders for MVP, Cy Young and other honors. Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers has posted results that keep his National League Cy Young goal in reach. 00 ERA and 228 strikeouts. His 2026 workload has increased compared with prior years.
Jr. 5 AXE score. Witt leads all major-league players in FanGraphs' DEF defensive metric and stands seventh in the site's BSR baserunning metric. Nine other AL players follow Witt in the rankings. They include Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers of the Athletics, Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge of the Yankees, and Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers.
Ohtani's improved innings total places him among NL Cy Young candidates. ESPN noted that if Ohtani wins the Cy Young, he would also be favored for a fourth consecutive MVP award.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
2 events- May 26, 2026
ESPN publishes first monthly 2026 MLB awards rankings.
1 sourceESPN - Spring 2026
Ohtani states goal of winning NL Cy Young Award.
1 sourceESPN
Potential Impact
- 01
Monthly rankings may influence later award voting discussion.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
sbs.com.auEconomist Who Predicted Past Three World Cups Names 2026 Winner
German economist Joachim Klement, who correctly forecast the winners of the past three World Cups, stated his pick for the 2026 tournament during an interview with CBS News correspondent Ramy Inocencio.
espn.comNBA Board Approves Expanded Draft Lottery and Anti-Tanking Rules
The NBA's board of governors voted 29-1 on Thursday to expand the draft lottery from 14 to 16 teams starting in 2027 and introduce new measures aimed at reducing tanking.
bbc.co.ukForbes Ranks Real Madrid Most Valuable Football Club
Forbes placed Real Madrid at the top of its annual list of the world's most valuable football clubs. Barcelona moved ahead of Manchester United into second place.