Crow-Armstrong, Ohtani and Turang Named NL MVP Finalists
MLB named Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and Brewers second baseman Brice Turang finalists for the 2026 National League MVP on November 2. The winner is scheduled to be announced November 12.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Shohei Ohtani and Brice Turang are the three finalists for the National League’s 2026 Most Valuable Player award, MLB announced on November 2. The winner is due to be revealed on November 12, with a 4 p.m. Pacific-time broadcast carried by MLB Network.
Crow-Armstrong enters as the favorite after a season in which he hit 45 home runs and posted a .280 batting average. His 9.8 WAR was well ahead of Ohtani’s 6.5, and Crow-Armstrong was also regarded as baseball’s top defender. Ohtani, who did not play in the field outside his pitching appearances, had a slight edge in on-base percentage: .377 to .372.
Ohtani’s pitching helped fuel his previous three MVP awards, but injuries limited him to 85⅔ innings this season. His final pitching appearance came July 3. He hit 30 home runs and batted .275 during the regular season.
Turang’s case rests on contributions across offense, defense and baserunning. He hit .268 with 21 home runs and 19 stolen bases, and his 7.3 Baseball-Reference WAR led the Brewers’ position players. He also earned the National League Gold Glove at second base and led major-league second basemen with 23 defensive runs saved.
The finalists’ ballots were submitted before the playoffs began, so postseason performance is not part of the award decision. Crow-Armstrong is seeking to win ahead of Ohtani, who has four MVP awards overall and had won the previous three unanimously.