Can Shohei Ohtani Win the MVP Again? Here’s Where the Race Stands

At this point, you almost expect Shohei Ohtani (-250 at BetOnline Sportsbook) to be right in the middle of the MVP conversation every year. He’s made it feel normal, which is kind of the wild part. Three straight, four total, and now he’s right back in position again.

What keeps him there isn’t complicated. It’s the fact that he’s doing more than everyone else.

You’ve got elite hitters across the league putting up big numbers; that’s nothing new. But adding real innings on the mound on top of that? That’s where things start to separate quickly.

Still, it’s not completely locked.

There are enough players behind him that if something slips — even a little — this race can change.

Top 10 MVP Contenders

Shohei Ohtani (-250)
Everything still runs through him. If he’s healthy and giving you both sides again, it’s hard to build a better case than that.

Aaron Judge (+170)
Judge just keeps doing the same thing year after year. Power numbers, consistent production. If he ends up leading the league again, he’ll be right there like always.

Yordan Alvarez (+550)
When he’s in the lineup, you feel it. One of the best pure hitters out there. The only question is whether he’s out there enough over a full season.

Bobby Witt Jr. (+650)
This is more of a steady build type. Power, speed, defense — it all adds up. If his team stays relevant, his name won’t go away.

Ronald Acuña Jr. (+1200)
It really just comes down to games played. If he’s out there consistently, the numbers take care of themselves.

Corbin Carroll (+1100)
Does a little bit of everything. Speed stands out, defense too. If the bat holds for a full year, he sticks in this race.

Juan Soto (+1900)
Different kind of impact. It’s more about getting on base, controlling at-bats. Not flashy, but it adds up by the end of the year.

Fernando Tatis Jr. (+3000)
You know what it looks like when he’s right. It just hasn’t always lasted. That’s the only thing holding him back here.

Gunnar Henderson (+700)
Still trending upward. Power from that spot matters, and if he takes another step, he’s going to get real attention.

Elly De La Cruz (+3000)
Probably the hardest one to pin down. The upside is obvious. The consistency… still waiting on that.

So, Does Ohtani Actually Win It Again?

It really comes down to how much he’s on the field — and on the mound. If he gives you a full season doing both, it’s tough to see someone clearly jumping him. There just isn’t another player doing that combination right now.

But if there’s any drop — missed time, fewer innings, even a slight dip at the plate — then it opens things up. And this year, there are enough players behind him that could take advantage of that.

Judge can overpower a season. Witt can stack production quietly. Acuña, if healthy, can change the conversation fast.

That’s what makes this one a little more interesting than it looks at first glance. Still, if you’re picking it right now, it’s hard to move away from Ohtani. Not because it’s safe — just because nobody else really matches what he brings to the park over a full year.