2024 AL MVP Race: Top Contenders and Dark Horses
Last week I discussed some of my favorite picks for the 2024 National League MVP award. This week I’ll discuss some of my favorites for the American League. Let’s break down the potential winners.
2024 AL MVP Picks:
Juan Soto (+650): Since his debut for the Nationals in 2018, Juan Soto has been one of the most exciting players to watch. Over his last three seasons, Soto has maintained a .927 OPS, led the league in walks, averaged almost 30 HRs and boasted .276 batting average. Now with the New York Yankees, and a short porch in right field, the potential for Soto is massive. If he can continue to produce All-Star numbers, there’s a strong possibility that Juan Soto could secure his first MVP award.
Julio Rodriguez (+1000): Since his debut in 2022, Julio Rodriguez has been a force for the Seattle Mariners. In his first two seasons, the two-time All-Star hit .279 with an .834 OPS while averaging 30 HRs and 89 RBIs. Despite having a major role in turning the Mariners into World Series contenders, Rodriguez remains unsatisfied. He recently expressed his determination for an even better performance this year. With J-Rod’s potential and his winning mindset, I expect him to produce an even better year than his 2023 All-Star season.
Corey Seager (+1200): Despite missing 31 games due to a hamstring injury, Corey Seager’s performance had him in contention for the 2023 AL MVP. The 29-year-old shortstop finished 2nd in the race after hitting .327 with 33 HRs, 96 RBIs, a league leading 42 doubles and 1.013 OPS. Seager continued his dominance in the postseason, contributing to the Texas Rangers first World Series victory and earning himself a World Series MVP. If Seager can sustain his 2023 form, the AL MVP will be another award he can add to his resume.
Bobby Witt Jr. (+1500): Bobby Witt Jr. had an outstanding year last season, but the lack of national TV exposure for the Kansas City Royals kept many fans in the dark. What most fans missed was an impressive season where Witt Jr. hit .274 with an .813 OPS, 30 HRs, 49 SBs and a league leading 11 triples. Finishing 7th in last year’s AL MVP race, Bobby Witt Jr. is poised for another leap as he has only scratched the surface of his potential.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+1700): After finishing 2nd behind Shohei Ohtani in the 2021 AL MVP race, the 3-time All-Star has seen a decline in almost every statistical category. His health has played a major role in that decline. Focused on improving his physical condition during the offseason, Guerrero Jr. aims to return to his 2021 form. A month ago, Vladdy Jr. stated that “this is my season, and that this is when people are going to know about me”. A determined and physically fit Guerrero Jr. will be a scary sight for the league, strengthening his case for the AL MVP.
Mike Trout (+2000): With Shohei Ohtani’s departure, all eyes are once again on the perennial All-Star, Mike Trout. Injuries have limited Trout’s playing time over the past four seasons, but his 2019 campaign demonstrated his MVP-caliber abilities as he boasted a .291 average, 45 home runs, 104 RBIs, and league-leading on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. This outstanding performance earned Mike Trout his third MVP award. If Trout can stay healthy, there’s nothing stopping him from reclaiming his spot at the forefront of the MVP conversation.
The Longshot:
Luis Robert Jr. (+4000): If you were going to create the perfect baseball player, Luis Robert would be the player you would model it after. The 6-foot-2 center fielder has every tool; speed, power, hitting ability, fielding and arm strength, needed to be dominant at the Major League level. In 2023, Robert Jr. showcased those skills which resulted in a .264 batting average, a .857 OPS, 80 RBIs and 38 HRs, eclipsing his HR total from his previous three seasons combined. His new approach at the plate led to a resurgence in power that he had been looking for since his days in the minor leagues. With his first All-Star season behind him, I believe this is just the beginning of a bright future for Luis Robert Jr..
Odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook
