5 front-runners for the MLB MVP awards 2024 ft. Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and more

Two usual suspects for this year's AL and NL MVP awards are Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, respectively. The interesting thing is that they no longer have to fight each other, as Ohtani now plays for the LA Dodgers, who are in the National League. But that also means it will be tough for NL hitters and pitchers to race him out.

Let's take a look at five contenders to earn this year's MVP plaudits:

#5. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles

MLB: Baltimore Orioles at Cleveland Guardians - Source: Imagn

Gunnar Henderson was going toe-to-toe in the AL MVP race alongside Aaron Judge but has fallen off lately. He only has one home run in his last 41 plate appearances. However, his batting average has spiked going 14-41 in his last 10 games.

He is slashing .290/.376/.553 with 29 home runs and 69 RBIs. He is still one of the prime contenders for the AL MVP award but Aaron Judge's stats seem staggering in comparison. In the eyes of oddsmakers, Henserson is +3000 to win the award.

#4. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

MLB: Boston Red Sox at Kansas City Royals - Source: Imagn

Another regular feature in the AL MVP race is Bobby Witt Jr., known for his baserunning. He might have gone under the radar with Henderson and Judge taking most of the limelight this season but his season average of .347 leads the majors. Tag it along with .394 OBP and .604 slugging percentage, he has improved his odds to +500 for the award.

#3. Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Cleveland Guardians - Source: Imagn

Ketel Marte has improved his MVP odds drastically, with him now being placed ahead of Bryce Harper in the oddsmakers eyes. While Harper suffers from mid-season slump, Marte has boosted his stock with six home runs in his last 10 games.

For the season, he is slashing .299/.370/.563 with .933 OPS to go along with his 30 home runs and 81 RBIs. With Ohtani being a DH, there are uncertainties on possibility on him winning the award with no defensive contribution. This makes Marte the next best man with +500 odds favoring him for the award.

#2. Shohei Ohtani, LA Dodgers

MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Los Angeles Dodgers - Source: Imagn

The two-way star and the reigning AL MVP, Shohei Ohtani, may have changed the league but his offensive exploits have remained the same. Ohtani not pitching this season means he is not the runaway for the NL MVP. Despite that, his hitting numbers can still earn him the prize.

Ohtani is slashing .298/.385/.616 with 1.001 OPS to go along with his 35 home runs (tied for NL best), 83 RBIs (tied at seventh in majors) and 32 stolen bases (fourth in majors). The oddsmakers have him at -1499 for the award.

#1. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

MLB: Texas Rangers at New York Yankees - Source: Imagn

At this point of the season, Aaron Judge should have an unanimous claim for the AL MVP award. His hitting numbers are unmatched so far and that seems to only continue.

He is slashing .328/.462/.699 with 1.161 OPS (best in majors), 42 home runs (first) and 106 RBIs (first). In the oddsmakers eyes, he is -1299 for the award.