Shohei Ohtani will finish top 3 in NL MVP voting

November 3, 2026

Shohei Ohtani will secure his sixth consecutive top-three finish in National League MVP voting, despite falling short of winning the award for the first time since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. The two-way superstar, who previously claimed MVP honors in both leagues (AL in 2021 and 2023 with the Angels, NL in his first two seasons with the Dodgers), will again be overshadowed by Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is expected to dominate the race.

Ohtani’s 2026 season was marked by resilience, combining 30 home runs with 14 strong pitching starts and a 1.79 ERA, though injuries—including left knee inflammation and a right biceps strain—limited his late-season impact. His offensive production included a .275/.377/.512 slash line and a 139 wRC+, while his pitching contributions ranked third in the NL among starters with at least 80 innings, highlighted by a 2.73 xERA.

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang will also finish in the top three, rounding out a trio of standout performers in a competitive NL MVP race set to be announced on November 12.

Ohtani’s season was not without challenges, including a 155-plate-appearance stretch without a home run—a career-low drought—before finally breaking through in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series. His combined 6.6 fWAR tied him for second in the NL, trailing only Crow-Armstrong’s dominant 10.6 fWAR.

Meanwhile, teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, though finishing third in NL Cy Young voting last year, will not crack the top three this season, as Jacob Misiorowski, Chris Sale, and Cristopher Sánchez lead the pitching race. Ohtani’s dual-threat brilliance remains unmatched, even as he navigates the shifting landscape of elite NL talent.