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Victor Petkov
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Ohtani and Aaron Judge leading the race for the MLB MVP award
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The other AL MVP finalists include Juan Soto and Bobby Witt Jr.

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are leading the race for the MLB MVP title as finalists, with both showcasing historic seasons. Ohtani, who made his debut in the National League with the Dodgers, set a new benchmark as the first player in MLB history to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. He finished the season with an NL-best 54 home runs, 59 stolen bases, and led the majors with 134 runs scored, often hitting from the leadoff spot.

Judge, the 2022 AL MVP, delivered an outstanding season with the Yankees, contributing to their AL East title. He led the majors with 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, and a .458 on-base percentage, also achieving a .701 slugging percentage and 133 walks. Judge received the American League Player of the Month award three times in 2024 and the Players Choice Award for Player of the Year.

The other AL MVP finalists include Juan Soto, who finished with a career-high 41 home runs and 128 runs scored, and Bobby Witt Jr., who topped the majors with a .332 batting average while adding 32 home runs and 31 steals, helping the Royals make the postseason for the first time in nine years.

In the National League, alongside Ohtani, Francisco Lindor and Ketel Marte are MVP finalists. Lindor helped the Mets to the NLCS, finishing the season strong with a .306 average and a .368 on-base percentage in the second half. Marte, of the Diamondbacks, set career highs with 95 RBIs and 36 home runs, and his .560 slugging percentage ranked second in the NL.

The MVP awards, voted by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, will be announced on November 21.