Major League Baseball American League Most Valuable Player – Can Anyone Beat Judge?

We are going to look over the upcoming MLB Season that starts in March and create an American League MVP 2026 prediction. We will cover what the award is, some history, contenders for this season and where you can watch the action, as well as our important final choice. So read on for an overview and some MLB American League MVP 2026 betting tips. This is a popular betting market and odds are already available for the main contenders.

Since the 1931 MLB season the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) have awarded one player from both the American and National League as the Most Valuable Player that season. It’s a prestigious award that all players aim to add to their trophy cabinet.

In terms of winners the majority have been Batsmen down the years with 1st Batsmen dominating from those. Outfielders have also fared well, as well as pitchers. 25 winners for the American League award have been playing for the New York Yankees, in line with their many winning seasons in the 1930-50s, and Judge’s current dominance. The winner does not have to come from a team that wins either their own division or the World Series however, as was the case for Ryan Howard for the Phillies in 2006.

What is the Format?

The American League Most Valuable Player is picked after a vote of the BBWAA at the end of the regular season. Votes are cast before the playoffs begin, and they use a ranked choice system. Players accrue points for their places (1st,2nd,3rd), and the one with the highest total wins the prize.

There are set criteria including offensive/defensive value, games played, and character. Each value can weigh these differently and make their own season picks.

The final results are announced after the World Series is completed.

Who are the MLB American League players to watch out for?

Let’s look at some of the biggest contenders who will be looking to show they are the American League’s ultimate player in 2026.

Nick Kurtz

• Position: 1st Batsman
• Team: Las Vegas Athletics
• Nationality: American 🇺🇸
• Last Season Awards: Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger
• Odds: +1050

At just 22, many may feel it’s too early for Kurtz to win the 2026 American League MVP. However the rookie of the year in 2025 certainly showed some incredible hitting potential and 1st Batsmen often have a good advantage in this award. He is playing for the Athletics however and exactly what effect their planned move to Las Vegas will have on the players and fan reactions is yet to be seen over the course of the season, which could also affect performances.

Jose Ramierz

• Position: 3rd Base
• Team: Cleveland Guardians
• Nationality: Dominican 🇩🇴
• Last Season Awards: Silver Slugger, All Star Team, All Star MLB First Team
• Odds: +1500

Jose Ramierz has finished 3rd in the MVP regular season for the 8th time. He was runner up in 2020 as well. This shows he has quality and consistency and, at 33, he is still cutting it at the top level. If anyone deserves to win a big individual reward, it’s probably him. Sadly in terms of winning the 2026 American League MVP he may also need the Guardians to improve their lineup. They won the AL Central Division but went out in the playoffs weakly in 2-1 to Detroit in 2025. This means his performances may get forgotten at the end of the season.

Bobby Witt Jr

• Position: Shortstop
• Team: Kansas City Royals
• Nationality: American 🇺🇸
• Last Season Awards: All MLB First Team, Golden Glove, Silver Slugger
• Odds: +575

If not for Judge, Witt would have an AL MVP award on his shelf by now. He is likely slightly hampered by his lack of home runs and his position at short stop which is not always as well rewarded as the more offensive positions in the game. He did however win his 2nd golden glove in 2025. His season in 2024 was superb though and if he can repeat this, and Judge has any dip in form, he should be considered right up there come MLB American League MVP in 2026 awards night in October.

Aaron Judge

• Position: Right Fielder
• Team: New York Yankees
• Nationality: American 🇺🇸
• Awards Last Season: AL MVP, Silver Slugger, AL Hank Aaron Award, MLB Batting Champion
• Odds: +340

The list of personal awards of Judge seems endless – rookie of the year, 3x AL MVP, Most home runs in an AL season, 5x Silver Slugger,  3x AL Hank Aaron Award, Roberto Clemente award… He is quite simply a legend of the game. The two things his CV lacks is a World Series winners medal and a World Series MVP award. At 33 years old, he is surely running out of time and this may be his last year to achieve both! He has won this award 2 times in a row and is favourite to do it again to be the MLB American League MVP in 2026.

Julio Rodríguez

• Position: Centre Fielder
• Team: Seattle Mariners
• Nationality: Dominican 🇩🇴
• Awards Last Season: All Star, MLB First Team, 30-30 Club.
• Odds: +1150

Still only 24 years old, it seems that Rodrigeuz has been around forever. However, he only made his debut in the 2022 season and had a standout rookie season. He put in a pretty poor 2024 and seemed in a real slump of form till the back end of the 2025 season. However that run shows that when he gets in form he is one of Baseball’s best. If he can bring his form all season this year then he will surely be a candidate for the MLB American League MVP 2026.

Where to watch the 2026 MLB World Series

So, where can you catch a 2026 MLB World Series live stream? The MLB has quite a few TV and live stream deals in place, including ones with Peacock, ESPN, NBC and subscription service Netflix. Peacock-exclusive MLB games are to be shown on the brand-new NBCSN sports cable network.

There is quite a wide pick for matches and also radio coverage deals as well so you shouldn’t miss any action but you may have to use a few different services to catch every game.

You can also get text commentary on the main MLB site and certain bookmakers will offer live streaming options for account holders as well. Check what you need to do to access live streams with sportsbooks that offer this as terms and conditions vary across operators.

Prediction for the American League MVP Winner 2026

This season will, as ever, see a fair bit of competition for this much-prized individual award.

I personally think Judge is going to make it his 4th time as American League MVP. He just has too much class for the rest out there.

The one award missing from his glittering career is a World Series win and he is showing real dedication and focus on making that happen with the Yankees whom he has played for his whole career. A 4th award would also take him past a fellow Yankee legend, Joe DiMaggio who he is tied on with 3 awards apiece currently.