Shohei Ohtani Named Finalist for 2026 NL MVP, Eyes Fifth Career Award

Shohei Ohtani was named a finalist for the 2026 National League Most Valuable Player award on Monday, keeping alive the Los Angeles Dodgers star’s bid for a fifth career MVP. Ohtani already owns four MVP awards, putting him among the most decorated players in the history of the honor.

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s 2026 award finalists were announced live on MLB Network on Monday and posted on MLB.com during the broadcast. According to MLB.com’s Nov. 2 finalists post, the three NL MVP finalists are Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs, Ohtani of the Dodgers and Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Ohtani’s case again rests on rare two-way value. According to his MLB player page, he finished the 2026 regular season hitting .290 with 20 home runs, 56 RBIs, six stolen bases and a .939 OPS in 324 at-bats. On the mound, he went 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts, striking out 95 batters in 85 2/3 innings with a 0.95 WHIP.

That combination has defined Ohtani’s place in the MVP conversation for years. MLB and BBWAA records show he previously won the American League MVP in 2021 and 2023, then the National League MVP in 2024 and 2025. MLB and BBWAA coverage of those earlier wins says Ohtani is the first player to win multiple MVP awards in both leagues. Only Barry Bonds, with seven, has more than Ohtani’s four.

Ohtani’s latest finalist nod therefore carries significance beyond a typical awards-season update. Another MVP would add to a resume that already stands in unusually rare company, and it would come after yet another season in which he contributed as both an elite hitter and a frontline pitcher.

There were no fresh reaction quotes provided from Monday’s announcement. In MLB.com’s coverage of the 2025 MVP awards, Ohtani said through an interpreter after that win: “The biggest thing is obviously being able to win the World Series. That’s first and foremost. You know, it’s icing on the cake to be able to get an individual award, being crowned MVP, but I just really appreciate the support from all my teammates, everybody around me, my supporting staff.”

MLB.com said BBWAA award winners will be announced during the week of Nov. 9.