Unlike in the American League, there’s a good margin between the 2025 NL MVP favorite and the runner-up. According to the odds, there’s a pretty good chance we could see back-to-back winners in the National League for the first time since Albert Pujols did it for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008 and 2009. There’s a pretty good field in this league and it’ll be interesting to see if anyone can stand in the way of history being made in 2025.
*Odds via Fanduel; as of 3/15
2025 NL MVP Favorites
Shohei Ohtani (+145)
It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that Shohei Ohtani is the favorite to win the 2025 NL MVP. He took home the award last season in his first campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. What makes it even more impressive is that he won the MVP in the AL in 2023 and won the last three out of four awards, also placing as the runner-up in 2022.
The two-way phenom hit 54 home runs while driving in 130 home runs in 2024. He also stole 59 bases, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit at least 50 home runs while stealing at least 50 bases. Ohtani was limited to hitting only last year after suffering an elbow injury. Now he will return to the mound in 2025 with his career 3.01 ERA, making him that much more likely to take home more hardware this season.
Juan Soto (+550)
Ohtani’s main threat to take home the 2025 NL MVP is Juan Soto, who signed with the New York Mets over the offseason. Soto is one of the best pure hitters in baseball and is only getting better at just 26 years old. Despite that, he’s never won the MVP. He’s finished runner-up a couple of times and finished third last season but has never been able to capture the one thing that eludes him. It’s not going to be easy this year either with Ohtani standing in his way but if he puts up last year’s number and then some (41 HR, 109 RBI), he will have a strong NL MVP case.
Fernando Tatis Jr. (+850)
What holds Fernando Tatis Jr. back is his health. The most games he’s played in his six-year career is 141. Tatis Jr. has all the tools in the world like speed, defense, power, etc to be an MVP-caliber player and if he can stay healthy, he will be exactly that. In the past, he’s shown it, finishing fourth in voting in 2020 and third in 2021. When he’s out on the field, he is one of the top stars in all of baseball and if available in 2025, he will surely be in the mix.
Mookie Betts (+900)
Mookie Betts has been one of the most consistent and reliable players in Major League Baseball over the course of his career. He’s made eight all-star appearances and has been named to the First All-MLB Team four times while winning six gold gloves. Betts also led the Boston Red Sox to a World Series win in 2018, the same year he won AL MVP.
Now he’s looking to add an NL MVP to his resume. Being on a Dodgers team loaded with stars will take votes away from him but while on the Dodgers he’s finished top five in the race twice including a runner-up stint in 2023. One thing that can be counted on from Betts is production and that will keep him in the MVP race.
Bryce Harper (+1400)
With everything on the line, Bryce Harper is one of the last hitters that the guy on the mound wants to see at the plate. He has 336 career home runs with 976 RBI and has earned two NL MVPs (2015, 2021). While Harper still put up good numbers, the two seasons after his MVP in 2021 weren’t up to his standards. He returned to expectations last season as he hit 30 home runs with 87 RBI and finished sixth in the NL MVP race. Harper has some work to do to climb up the ladder again and if he does, he will do what few have done in the history of the game, win three MVP awards.
Next Best Odds:
Kyle Tucker (+1700)
Francisco Lindor (+2200)
Elly De Le Cruz (+2500)
Ronland Acuna Jr. (+3000)
Freddie Freeman (+3500)
Ketel Marte (+3500)
Corbin Carroll (+4000)
Main Image: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
