It’s still early, but the top MVP candidates have already come into focus in MLB. Here’s a look at the favorites after the 1st quarter of the season. Odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook as of May 20, 2022.
1 of 24
AL: Shohei Ohtani +240
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Ohtani won the 2021 AL MVP with a historic season as a two-way player and is off to another good start this year. He’s hitting .248-8-27 and has been even better on the mound with a 2.82 ERA and 53/9 K/BB in 38.1 innings.
2 of 24
NL: Manny Machado +330
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With Fernando Tatis Jr. sidelined, Machado has filled the void for the Brewers. He leads the NL with a .363 batting average and .437 on-base percentage while also hitting seven home runs.
3 of 24
AL: Aaron Judge +450
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A pending free agent, Judge is making the most of his walk year by leading the AL with 14 home runs. He’s also hitting .307 with a 1.045 OPS.
4 of 24
NL: Nolan Arenado +550
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Arenado continues to play elite defense at the hot corner, and he’s also having a bounce-back season at the plate. He’s hitting .289-9-31 with a .918 OPS in 38 games played.
5 of 24
AL: Mike Trout +500
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Back from a chronic calf injury that kept him out for most of last season, Trout is showing MLB fans what they missed. He’s hitting .317-11-24 with a 1.109 OPS.
6 of 24
NL: Freddie Freeman +1000
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Freeman has continued to produce after signing with the Dodgers in the offseason. He’s hitting .322-3-21 with an excellent .911 OPS.
7 of 24
AL: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. +1200
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Guerrero is off to a relatively slow start after leading the AL in OPS last season. He’s hitting .275-7-21 with a .815 OPS in 38 games.
8 of 24
NL: Bryce Harper +1000
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Harper is playing through a nagging elbow injury that is preventing him from playing defense. He’s made up for the absence with his bat, hitting .305-9-27 and leading the league in slugging.
9 of 24
AL: Byron Buxton +1500
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The oft-injured Buxton has been on the field for most of the first quarter, and the Twins are happy to see the results. He’s hitting .235-11-20 with a .941 OPS.
10 of 24
NL: Juan Soto +1000
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Soto has opened the year hitting only .250, but his league-leading 32 walks have boosted his on-base percentage to .390. He also has eight home runs, but a poor supporting cast has allowed him to drive in only 11 runs.
11 of 24
AL: Jose Ramirez +1600
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The dynamic Ramirez could be a sleeper in the AL MVP race based on his early production. He’s hitting .287-9-37 with 20 extra-base hits and has more walks than strikeouts.
12 of 24
NL: Ronald Acuna Jr. +1300
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Acuna missed much of April as he recovered from a torn ACL, but he’s made up for lost time. He’s opened his season hitting .280-2-5 with seven steals in 13 games.
13 of 24
AL: Yordan Alvarez +3000
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Alvarez’s prodigious power continues to impress. The Astros power hitting has 12 home runs in 22 RBI with a .927 OPS in 34 games.
14 of 24
NL: Mookie Betts +1500
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Betts continues to set the table in the terrific Dodgers lineup. He’s hitting .260-8-20 with a .827 OPS.
15 of 24
AL: Luis Robert +3000
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Robert is displaying his power and speed as a centerpiece of the White Sox offense. He’s hitting .301-6-17 with six stolen bases in 30 games.
16 of 24
NL: Pete Alonso +1600
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Alonso is one of the biggest reasons for New York’s great start. He leads the NL with 10 home runs and 36 RBI, also hitting .276.
17 of 24
AL: Wander Franco +3500
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Franco has fought nagging leg injuries early this year. The 21-year-old has done his best to stay on the field and hit .263-4-16 with four stolen bases.
18 of 24
NL: Francisco Lindor +2500
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After a fast start, Lindor’s production has slowed considerably. He’s now hitting .240-6-22 with five stolen bases and a .743 OPS.
19 of 24
AL: Giancarlo Stanton +5000
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Stanton has remained healthy thus far and also productive at the plate, hitting .296-11-35 in 35 games. He’s a big reason for New York’s dominant beginning of the season in 2022.
20 of 24
NL: Trea Turner +2500
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Turner’s early season hasn’t been quite up to his high standard but he’s still very good. He’s hitting .283-2-28 with eight stolen bases in 38 games.
21 of 24
AL: Rafael Devers +5000
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Devers has been the MVP of the Red Sox offense thus far, and he could have higher accolades in mind. He’s hitting .327-7-30 through 39 games.
22 of 24
NL: Matt Olson +4000
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Olson had big shoes to fill, replacing Freddie Freeman at first base for the Braves. He’s done a nice job thus far, hitting .250/.374/.438 with four home runs and a league-leading 15 doubles.
23 of 24
AL: George Springer +7000
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Springer is off to a strong start, but still faces long odds in the MVP race. He’s hitting .271-7-22 as Toronto’s primary leadoff man.
24 of 24
NL: Jazz Chisholm +4500
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After an inconsistent 2021 season, Chisholm looks like a budding superstar early this year. He’s hitting .294-7-27 with six stolen bases, and also leads the league with four triples.
Source: Yard Baker