Pete Crow-Armstrong, Jacob Misiorowski and Yordan Alvarez, among others, are one step closer to some of the biggest individual awards baseball has to offer.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced the finalists for its full list of awards Monday, and those names headline the group.
Here is a look at all the finalists:
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago CubsShohei Ohtani, Los Angeles DodgersBrice Turang, Milwaukee BrewersYordan Alvarez, Houston AstrosJunior Caminero, Tampa Bay RaysBobby Witt Jr., Kansas City RoyalsJacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee BrewersChris Sale, Atlanta BravesCristopher Sánchez, Philadelphia PhilliesDylan Cease, Toronto Blue JaysParker Messick, Cleveland GuardiansCam Schlittler, New York Yankees
National League Rookie of the Year
Carson Benge, New York MetsSal Stewart, Cincinnati RedsJJ Wetherholt, St. Louis Cardinals
American League Rookie of the Year
Kevin McGonigle, Detroit TigersParker Messick, Cleveland GuardiansPayton Tolle, Boston Red Sox
National League Manager of the Year
Don Mattingly, Philadelphia PhilliesPat Murphy, Milwaukee BrewersWalt Weiss, Atlanta Braves
American League Manager of the Year
Kevin Cash, Tampa Bay RaysChad Tracy, Boston Red SoxWill Venable, Chicago White Sox
National League Relief Pitcher of the Year
Jhoan Duran, Philadelphia PhilliesTrevor Megill, Milwaukee BrewersMason Miller, San Diego Padres
American League Relief Pitcher of the Year
Bryan Baker, Tampa Bay RaysCade Smith, Cleveland GuardiansLouis Varland, Toronto Blue Jays
There isn’t much drama when it comes to the MVP awards for the 2026 campaign.
Crow-Armstrong ran away with things on the National League side because of his ability to impact the game in so many ways. Offensively, he joined the 40/40 club with 45 home runs and 41 stolen bases to go along with 107 RBI and a league-best 119 runs scored.
Those numbers alone likely would have put him in the MVP discussions, but he is also arguably the best defensive player in the game.
According to Statcast, the Chicago Cubs centerfielder led the league with 26 outs above average and 23 runs prevented. As if that wasn’t enough, he caught an outstanding 50 percent of his 5-star catch opportunities.
That was also the best mark in the league and underscored his ability to make some of the most difficult catches in the sport because of his speed, athleticism and first jump when the ball comes off the bat.
On the American League side, Alvarez slugged the Houston Astros into the playoffs and figures to take home the MVP.
He led the league in batting average (.316), on-base percentage (.432), slugging percentage (.601), OPS (1.033), total bases (341) and walks (109). What’s more, he finished with 42 home runs and 106 RBI.
If and when he takes home the award, he will add it to a resume that already includes a World Series title, Rookie of the Year, American League Championship Series MVP and four All-Star selections.
Another resume that has received quite the boost this year is Misiorowski, who helped lead the Brewers to the World Series title as the ace of the staff.
And now he is in line for the National League Cy Young after finishing with league-best marks in ERA (1.80), WHIP (0.80) and strikeouts (252). The fireballer entered the 2026 campaign with just 66 innings pitched under his belt and ended the season as a World Series champion and arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
Fans won’t have to wait long to find out who the winners of each award will be, as MLB’s award schedule will take center stage in the coming weeks.
The Rookie of the Year awards will be given out Nov. 9, the Manager of the Year awards will be given out Nov. 10, the Cy Young and Relief Pitcher of the Year awards will be given on Nov. 11, and the MVPs will be handed out on Nov. 12.