MLB MVP winners: Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani secure baseball’s top honor unanimously
There simply wasn’t enough room in one league for Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge.
For three consecutive years, the two standout players in Major League Baseball swapped the American League Most Valuable Player title. Ohtani showcased his exceptional skills both as a pitcher and a batter, securing MVP honors in 2021 and 2023. Meanwhile, Judge claimed the accolade in 2022 by breaking the AL record with 62 home runs.
Now that Ohtani has transitioned from the Los Angeles Angels to the National League with the Dodgers, each has their separate award. On Thursday night, they both received the prestigious title unanimously.
Ohtani captured his inaugural NL MVP and third overall after achieving the first-ever major league season with both 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. Meanwhile, Judge’s outstanding performance marked his second AL MVP, awarded by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
At 30, Ohtani is now in elite company as he joins Hall of Famer Frank Robinson as the only players to win MVPs in both leagues. His remarkable season brought him 54 home runs and 59 steals, surpassing numerous personal bests. Following recovery from a second Tommy John surgery, he emerged even stronger offensively.
He achieved a career-high batting average of .310 and topped the NL in on-base percentage (.390), slugging (.646), OPS (1.036), adjusted OPS (190), and RBIs (130). His 134 runs scored and 411 total bases also led all of Major League Baseball and were personal records.
However, Ohtani still fell short of surpassing Judge in home runs.
The captain of the New York Yankees, Judge smashed 58 home runs this season, momentarily bringing to mind the possibility of breaking his own record of 62 from 2022. He also excelled in nine other significant offensive categories, setting personal bests in WAR (10.8) and OPS (1.159, with an adjusted OPS of 223).
Judge’s career OPS now stands at 1.010, tying him with Rogers Hornsby for the 10th spot in all-time rankings, and he joins the ranks of Yankees legends like Alex Rodriguez, Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and Lou Gehrig as a player with multiple MVPs.
NL MVP recipient: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Ohtani, hailed as the greatest dual-threat player in baseball, demonstrates an incredible ability to adapt.
Despite undergoing a second Tommy John surgery that kept him off the mound in 2024, many believed it would be tough for Ohtani to clinch a third MVP title with his two-way skills constrained for the season. However, after signing a massive $700 million contract and switching leagues to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani proved that he has no limits.
At the age of 30, Ohtani was awarded the NL MVP on Thursday night. His record-breaking 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases marked the inaugural 50-50 season in major league history. Ohtani won the award unanimously over New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte.
As a leadoff hitter for a team that achieved a 98-win season and its first full-season World Series championship since 1988, Ohtani became only the second Dodgers position player to earn the NL MVP, joining Cody Bellinger, following Kirk Gibson’s win for the ’88 Dodgers.
Ohtani now becomes the 11th player in MLB history to achieve three MVP titles, alongside his former Angels teammates Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. Looking forward to 2025, he will set his sights on a fourth MVP, which would place him behind only Barry Bonds, who holds seven. Few would bet against him.
He is expected to return to pitching as well.
NL MVP voting outcomes
- Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (30 first-place votes): 420 points
- Francisco Lindor, Mets: 263
- Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks: 229
- Marcell Ozuna, Braves: 134
- William Contreras, Brewers: 132
- Bryce Harper, Phillies: 130
- Chris Sale, Braves: 99
- Elly De La Cruz, Reds: 89
- Jackson Merrill, Padres: 57
- Willy Adames, Brewers: 54
Additional players receiving votes: Matt Chapman, Giants, 37; Zack Wheeler, Phillies, 31; Mookie Betts, Dodgers, 24; Jurickson Profar, Padres, 23; Kyle Schwarber, Phillies, 15; Manny Machado, Padres, 12; Freddie Freeman, Dodgers, 6; Luis Arraez, Padres, 4; Paul Skenes, Pirates, 3; Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers, 3; Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies, 3; Jackson Chourio, Brewers, 1; Dylan Cease, Padres, 1.
AL MVP recipient: Aaron Judge, Yankees
This winter, one Bronx Bomber will dominate the headlines. But Thursday night served as a reminder of Aaron Judge’s supremacy in both the pinstripes and the American League.
Judge received his second AL Most Valuable Player award, garnering unanimous recognition from the Baseball Writers Association of America, securing his place as the seventh New York Yankee to achieve multiple MVP honors.
His first MVP came in 2022 when he broke Roger Maris’ AL record for home runs, a record held by one of these two-time winners. He then entered the free-agency market. Not only did the Yankees sign him for nine years at $360 million, but they also appointed him as captain.
Now, two years later, Judge reigns again: He hit 58 home runs this season, leading the majors and achieving career highs in multiple categories, especially with a 1.159 OPS and 10.8 WAR. His powerful presence in the lineup harmonized wonderfully with lefty slugger Juan Soto, who took third place in MVP voting after setting his own career-best with 41 home runs.
As Soto now enters the free agency pool, Judge has been a vocal supporter for his return. Soto is expected to command a contract that could surpass Judge’s recent deal, potentially exceeding $500 million in value. Nevertheless, Judge has solidified his status as the benchmark for on-field performance in the AL.
AL MVP Voting Results
- Aaron Judge, Yankees (30 first-place votes): 420 points
- Bobby Witt Jr., Royals: 270 points
- Juan Soto, Yankees: 229 points
- Gunnar Henderson, Orioles: 208 points
- José Ramírez, Guardians: 184 points
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays: 99 points
- Tarik Skubal, Tigers: 93 points
- Jarren Duran, Red Sox: 90 points
- Yordan Alvarez, Astros: 75 points
- Brent Rooker, Athletics: 40 points
Additional Votes: Emmanuel Clase, Guardians: 36; Cal Raleigh, Mariners: 12; Rafael Devers, Red Sox: 5; Anthony Santander, Orioles: 4; Jose Altuve, Astros: 1; Tyler Holton, Tigers: 1; Seth Lugo, Royals: 1; Corey Seager, Rangers: 1; Framber Valdez, Astros: 1.
MLB MVP Winners
- 2024: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
- 2023: Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves)
- 2022: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals)
- 2021: Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Bryce Harper (Phillies)
- 2020: José Abreu (White Sox), Freddie Freeman (Braves)
- 2019: Mike Trout (Angels), Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)
- 2018: Mookie Betts (Red Sox), Christian Yelich (Brewers)
- 2017: Jose Altuve (Astros), Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins)
- 2016: Mike Trout (Angels), Kris Bryant (Cubs)
- 2015: Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays), Bryce Harper (Nationals)
- 2014: Mike Trout (Angels), Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)
- 2013: Miguel Cabrera (Tigers), Andrew McCutchen (Pirates)
- 2012: Miguel Cabrera (Tigers), Buster Posey (Giants)
- 2011: Justin Verlander (Tigers), Ryan Braun (Brewers)
- 2010: Josh Hamilton (Rangers), Joey Votto (Reds)
- 2009: Joe Mauer (Twins), Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
- 2008: Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox), Albert Pujols (Cardinals)
- 2007: Alex Rodriguez (Yankees), Jimmy Rollins (Phillies)
