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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.
May 26, 8:16 AM·1m read1 source
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ESPN 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.
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