We are just over a week into the 2026 MLB season, but it’s never too early to take a look at the MVP odds board and how things are shaping up.
Aaron Judge unsurprisingly opened the season as the favorite to win American League MVP, and Shohei Ohtani unsurprisingly opened as the National League favorite. Both Judge and Ohtani remain the favorites despite both struggling out of the gate to start the season.
Below, we’ll look at favorites and risers that could make their way into the MVP conversation as the season progresses.
American League MVP Odds
Aaron Judge
Opening AL MVP odds: +215
Current AL MVP odds: +180
Judge has had a putrid start to the season as he is hitting just .125. He has also struck out 11 times thus far.
The Yankees superstar did belt home runs in back-to-back games against the Giants last week, but overall it’s been a struggle.
This is the exact opposite of what transpired last season, as Judge was red hot in March and April of 2025. The eventual American League MVP hit .545 with 4 home runs and 11 RBI in just three games played in March last year. In April 2025, Judge hit .415 with 6 dingers and 18 RBI.
Despite the early-season struggles this year, Judge’s odds have actually moved positively, from +215 to +180.
Bobby Witt Jr.
Opening AL MVP odds: +450
Current AL MVP odds: +450
Witt Jr. has had a solid start to the season but his MVP odds remain unchanged. The Royals’ shortstop has had at least one hit in every game he’s played thus far this season, except for one.
He has stolen two bases so far but has not yet belted one out of the park.
Witt Jr. will likely need to reach the 30 home run plateau to be seriously considered for AL MVP. He has reached that mark before, as he eclipsed that total in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Shea Langeliers
Opening AL MVP odds: +8000
Current AL MVP odds: +4000
It has been 14 years since a catcher won MVP (Buster Posey in 2012), but Langeliers is making a great early case that he should be considered. His odds to win the award have already been cut in half.
The A’s backstop has an MLB-leading 5 home runs on the season and has driven in 8 runs on 9 hits.
It is, of course, highly unlikely that Langeliers maintains this pace. Adding to the unlikelihood that he would be a legitimate candidate is that his team is once again expected to be among the worst in baseball. The A’s are off to a 1-5 start.
National League MVP Odds
Shohei Ohtani
Opening NL MVP odds: -110
Current NL MVP odds: -140
Ohtani is shooting for his fourth straight MVP award, something only Barry Bonds has accomplished.
The Dodgers’ superstar has not had a strong start to the season at the dish, though, as he is hitting just .167 and has 0 home runs. Last season, Ohtani jacked a career-high 55 HRs and drove in 102 runs.
While the 31-year-old is having issues hitting, the one pitching performance he’s had thus far this season was spectacular.
On March 31 against Cleveland, Ohtani pitched 6 shutout innings and allowed just one hit. He struck out 6 Guardians batters en route to the win.
One thing to keep in mind regarding Ohtani and Judge is, potentially, voter fatigue. If by the end of the season the numbers for a player other than Ohtani in the NL and/or Judge in the AL are close, we could see the new challenger get the nod instead of the incumbent.
Juan Soto
Opening NL MVP odds: +850
Current NL MVP odds: +850
Soto has been decent to start the season as he is batting .333 in 30 at-bats. His 10 hits are tied for second most in the NL.
He has gone deep in just one game so far this season, but it’s far too early to worry about Soto’s power numbers. The Mets right fielder hit just 3 total home runs in March and April of last year, but started to turn it on in May with 6 dingers that month.
His current 2026 NL MVP odds are the same as they were prior to the start of the season. He’s +850, and only looking up at Ohtani on the odds board.
Brice Turang
Opening NL MVP odds: +15000
Current NL MVP odds: +10000
Turang finished 14th in NL MVP voting last year, and is one of those players that just seems to get better each month.
The 26-year-old Corona, California native is fresh off an excellent World Baseball Classic showing for Team USA as he tied Kyle Schwarber for most American hits during the tournament.
Turang has not cooled down in the slightest with the MLB season underway as he is batting .409.
He is a big part of the reason the Brewers have been the best team in baseball thus far. The Brew Crew is 5-1 and sporting an MLB-best +28 run differential.
If Milwaukee stays at or near the top of the NL standings all summer, then Turang will once again receive MVP attention.
(All odds courtesy of Fanataics Sportsbook at time of publication.)