As the 2024 MLB season is almost underway, the American League MVP is up for grabs as 2023’s winner Shohei Ohtani left for the National League. We’ll look at four names that could be in play for the AL MVP
4 Names to Watch for the 2024 AL MVP
Aaron Judge
Most sportsbooks and MLB insiders would agree that Aaron Judge is the favorite to win the 2024 AL MVP entering the season. He saw his 2023 campaign cut shot due to a toe injury that kept him out of the line up for nearly 2 months. Despite only suiting up for 106 games, Judges still managed to hit 37 homers and drive in 75 runs while maintaining over a 1.019 OPS. The soon-to-be 32 years old should get back to dominating the league with newly acquired Juan Soto hitting in front of him in the lineup. Don’t be surprised if you 50 plus home run season out of judge if he’s able to stay on the field. Judge and the Yankees look to bounce back this season after a done 2023 year.
Julio Rodríguez
Entering his third year of service time, Julio Rodríguez is the future face of the league and he’s ready to prove it. The 23-year-old has put up monster numbers his first two years in the league hitting 60 homers and swiping 62 bags so far in his young career. Rodríguez is a prime candidate to be a 40-40 guy (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases) which would make him the 6th player ever to accomplish the feat. He is already one of the top hitters in baseball, but it feels like a matter of time for him to separate himself into his own category. In a tough AL West, the Mariners are going to need Julio’s best version of himself to compete for a playoff spot.
Mike Trout
There hasn’t been a more familiar name in MVP conversations for the last decade outside of Mike Trout. The future first ballot hall of famer has dominated baseball throughout his entire career, and he looks to do nothing different entering his 14th season. The obvious question surrounding the 31-year-old is his health as he has only played in 100 games once over his last 4 years (shortened 2020 season). It feels like Trout is due for at least one more monster year before he hits his twilight years. If he is able to suit up for roughly 140 games, Trout has the ability to hit 50 homers which he’s never done before in his career. The Angels are going to need this form of Trout if they have any chance at competing for the playoffs after losing Shohei Ohtani. Although this is a big if, I wouldn’t rule out Trout as a MVP candidate just yet.
Royce Lewis
By the biggest longshot on this list, Royce Lewis is a player whose potential is hard to ignore. Despite only playing in 70 career games, the young Lewis has raked in the limited action we’ve seen him in. Coming an ACL tear in his knee, Lewis looked the part. In only 257 AB’s, Lewis has 17 homers with an astounding .913 OPS and a 149 OPS+ (100 being league average). The Twins are in a weak AL central so sky’s the limit for the young Lewis. While calling him a possible MVP candidate is a bit of a reach, Lewis has all the makings of one the top players in the game in his future.
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