Bobby Witt Jr. Named AL MVP Finalist
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. secured a place among three contenders for the 2026 American League Most Valuable Player Award on November 2.
Witt is joined on the ballot by Houston Astros hitter Yordan Alvarez and Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America is scheduled to announce the winner on November 12. It is Witt’s second finalist appearance in three seasons and his third straight year finishing among the league’s top five in MVP voting.
Witt played 143 games, the fewest in his five major-league seasons. He hit .281 with a .359 on-base percentage and a .441 slugging percentage, producing an .800 OPS. His season totals included 18 home runs, 54 runs batted in, 94 runs scored, 157 hits and 45 stolen bases.
His value also showed in defensive and overall metrics. Witt posted 7.0 wins above replacement, the highest figure in the American League and second-highest in the majors, behind Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. He recorded 24 outs above average, more than any other shortstop and third-most among all fielders, though he did not receive a Gold Glove.
Witt’s 45 steals ranked second in the American League, while his sprint speed of 30.1 feet per second placed him in Statcast’s 99th percentile. If selected, he would become the Royals’ second MVP, after George Brett won the award in 1980.