MLB Award Picks & Predictions for 2026 Season

When it comes to predicting award winners for the 2026 MLB season, it would be easy to make chalky selections.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is a -145 favorite to win the National League MVP award for a third straight season. New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is +200 to do the same in the American League.

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal is a +300 favorite for a third consecutive AL Cy Young trophy, while Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes is a +200 front-runner to repeat in the NL.

Even the Manager of the Year awards have gone to Stephen Vogt and Pat Murphy in back-to-back campaigns.

But what would be the fun in predicting all the favorites to deliver again? My award picks focus on players who have a realistic chance of winning a trophy, but also offer better value based on the preseason MLB odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook.

MLB Award Picks & Predictions 2026

MLB MVP Predictions 2026

• AL: Bobby Witt Jr. (+500)
• NL: Juan Soto (+800)

It feels silly to pick against either Judge or Ohtani, but history isn’t on their side. Nobody in the AL has ever won the MVP in three straight seasons, while Ohtani is trying to become the first player in MLB history to win four straight MVP awards.

When it comes to baseball, I don’t worry about things like voter fatigue having an impact. Baseball writers are smart and have too many numbers to quantify who the most valuable player is in each league. I do worry more about the workload of both Ohtani and Judge in recent seasons, especially since the former will have a full season as a two-way player.

If either player suffers an injury or regresses, talented challengers are ready to step up.

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., 25, was runner-up to Judge in the AL MVP race two years ago, posting a fWAR of 10.5 in 161 games. With Kauffman Stadium moving its fences in this year, Witt could have his best offensive season to date.

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto, meanwhile, found his groove after a slow start. He ranked fourth in fWAR (5.0) and home runs (34) after June 1 last year. If he hits the ground running in his second year with the Mets, Soto has all the talent in the world to win an MVP award.

MLB Cy Young Predictions 2026

• AL: Garrett Crochet (+400)
• NL: Shohei Ohtani (+3000)

It’s difficult not to consider the Skubal trade rumors when assessing the latest AL Cy Young odds. With Skubal being in the final year of his deal, the Tigers could always opt to trade him if they get an extension done.

Even without a potential trade, Skubal has some workload concerns after pitching 408 innings (regular season and postseason) over the last two years. I don’t know if I’d bank on a third straight year of him being the best pitcher in the sport.

Left-hander Garrett Crochet looked like an ace in his first campaign with the Boston Red Sox, finishing runner-up in last year’s Cy Young race. He posted a 2.59 ERA and 255 strikeouts in 205 1/3 innings. If he’s able to do that again, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t win this trophy.

Predicting Ohtani to win the NL Cy Young trophy but not the MVP award is as bold as it gets. He’d almost certainly have to win both if he pitches well enough. Still, I can’t shake this feeling that Ohtani is about to have his best pitching season to date, which is why I made the case to back him in the pitcher wins leader market.

Ohtani, who has always had greater aspirations as a pitcher, has made more than 23 starts in a year just once in his career. But when he sets his mind to something, it’s difficult to bet against him, as demonstrated by his 59-steal season in 2024.

If Ohtani chooses to prioritize pitching, the sky’s the limit for him.

MLB Rookie of the Year Predictions 2026

• AL: Chase DeLauter (+1200)
• NL: JJ Wetherholt (+500)

There is a very real chance that the Rookie of the Year winners are candidates who aren’t even on the radar right now. Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was a runaway winner in the AL last year after starting as a 66/1 long shot, while Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin began with +2000 odds.

That said, I went with players who are starting with solid roles on their big-league clubs this year.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter has dealt with injuries since being a first-round pick in 2022, but he projects as a middle-of-the-order star if he can stay healthy. He hit a pair of home runs in his final game in spring training.

The St. Louis Cardinals will go with JJ Wetherholt as their starting second baseman from Day 1. He is MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 overall prospect after being drafted seventh in 2024. I expect him to get plenty of reps on a rebuilding Cardinals team.

MLB Manager of the Year Predictions 2026

• AL: Matt Quatraro (+1600)
• NL: Don Kelly (+750)

When making a Manager of the Year prediction, it’s important to back teams that can make the playoffs. Since 2012, all 28 Manager of the Year winners have reached the playoffs.

Of those 28 winners, 22 came from teams that had missed the postseason the previous year. So, I’d recommend backing a team that will notch a playoff berth in 2026 after missing the 2025 postseason.

I’m high on the Royals’ chances of rebounding in a weak division. They went 82-80 due to numerous injuries, but their lineup suddenly looks competent, and their starting rotation has plenty of depth. PECOTA actually projects the Royals to win the AL Central over the Tigers, but they just need to make the dance for Matt Quatraro to win this award.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have emerged as everyone’s favorite dark-horse contender. They made some notable offensive additions to support a potent pitching staff. FanGraphs now gives Pittsburgh a 45.7% chance of making the postseason for the first time since 2015, a feat that would almost certainly give Don Kelly the best chance of winning Manager of the Year.