MLB midseason awards 2026: MVP and LVP, Cy Young and Cy Yuk, top rookies and more
Your attention, please. Look, I know you’re kind of busy right now, adjusting the recline on your beach chair. But while you were busy sipping your third pina colada of the day, a crazy thing happened:
This wild little baseball season found itself pulling into the All-Star break. Which could only mean that …
Yes, it’s that time again. Time for me to hand out my annual midseason awards. Unlike some major celebrities, I forgot to rent out Madison Square Garden for my glitzy ceremony — which, as usual, will not be hosted by Nate Bargatze, Nate Burleson, Rick Burleson, Mark Buehrle, the cast of “The Bear,” Floyd (Honey Bear) Rayford or Floyd Mayweather Jr.
So once again, I’ll just have to do this myself. Remember to hold your applause until we empty the theater (so I can make the swiftest getaway possible). And now … the envelopes, please.
AL MVP of the half-year: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Yordan Alvarez, who is leading the league in almost everything, was an easy choice for MVP. (Tim Warner / Getty Images)
Personally, I think Yordan Alvarez is the MVP. He's leading the league in almost everything, from batting average to home runs. What makes this particularly fascinating is the sheer power and consistency he brings to the Astros lineup. It's like having two MVPs in one player. In my opinion, Alvarez's second half is going to be even more spectacular than his first, and he's on pace to break some serious records. If his performance continues, he could be the first left-handed hitter to achieve a season with .310 batting average, 49 homers, and an 185 OPS+ since the likes of Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds.
AL LVP of the half-year: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s demise, in Year One of his 14-year, $500 million contract, has been shocking. (Olivia Vanni / Getty Images)
In my view, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the AL's Least Valuable Player (LVP) this half-year. It's shocking to see him struggle, especially given his immense talent and high expectations. Guerrero's performance has been a stark contrast to his MVP runner-up finish last year. His batting average and OPS+ have both taken a nosedive, and he's struggling to hit home runs. What's more, the Blue Jays are underperforming compared to their first basemen's OPS, home runs, WAR, and Batting Runs Above Average. It's a disappointing season for Guerrero, who was expected to be the brightest star in the first-base cosmos.
NL MVP of the half-year: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Shohei the Hitter plus Shohei the Pitcher adds up to an unbeatable National League MVP candidate. (Ryan Sirius Sun / Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani is the MVP of the National League this half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is the dual impact of Shohei the Hitter and Shohei the Pitcher. While he might wear only one uniform, there are two amazing players inside it. In my opinion, Ohtani's two-for-the-price-of-one power is what makes him stand out. He's on pace to hit 34 home runs and flirt with a .300/.400/.500 slash line, which would be a remarkable achievement. Additionally, his pitching prowess is equally impressive, with a 1.79 ERA and a 232 ERA+.
NL LVP of the half-year: Mr. Met, Mets
Sorry, Mr. Met, but someone had to take the fall for the Mets’ myriad mistakes. (Caleb Bowlin / Getty Images)
The Mets' myriad mistakes have made Mr. Met the fall guy. Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., Jorge Polanco, and Freddy Peralta have all underperformed, with Semien and Robert Jr. struggling to find their form. Polanco's absence has been felt, and Mark Vientos' minus-1.4 WAR ranks last among all National Leaguers. It's been a strange year in Queens, and the Mets' big pitching acquisition, Freddy Peralta, hasn't lived up to expectations either.
AL Cy Young of the half-year: Cam Schlittler, Yankees
Cam Schlittler edged Dylan Cease for our prestigious AL Cy Young midseason honors. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images)
Cam Schlittler is the AL Cy Young of the half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is his dominant performance as a starting pitcher. Schlittler has a league-leading 2.01 ERA, a dazzling 209 ERA+, and has compiled these numbers while outpacing Cease in innings pitched and batters faced. His ability to find another gear when needed is remarkable. In my opinion, Schlittler's edge in ERA and volume is too big to ignore, and his history of success makes him a strong choice.
NL Cy Young of the half-year: Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers
Jacob Misiorowski has turned the “greatest Cy Young race ever” into a one-man race — for now. (Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images)
Jacob Misiorowski is the NL Cy Young of the half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is his incredible fastball, which has made him nearly unhittable. Misiorowski is on pace to throw 1,000 pitches over 100 mph, which is a mind-boggling feat. In my opinion, his 1.62 ERA and 290 strikeouts in 185 innings are historic, and he's heading for a season we've never seen before. Misiorowski's dominance has turned the NL Cy Young race into a one-man show.
AL Cy Yuk of the half-year: Brayan Bello, Red Sox
Brayan Bello ranks last in bWAR, ERA, expected ERA, WHIP and opponent batting average, among other categories. (Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)
Brayan Bello is the AL Cy Yuk of the half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is his struggles as a starting pitcher. Bello's ERA is 16.88 in the first inning, and his overall ERA is 10.35. In my opinion, his performance has been a stark contrast to the hopes that surrounded him as a promising pitching ray of hope for the Red Sox. Bello's inability to find consistency has made him a Cy Yuk candidate.
NL Cy Yuk of the half-year: Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks
What the heck happened to Zac Gallen? Cy Yuk stuff happened. (Joe Rondone / The Arizona Republic / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Zac Gallen is the NL Cy Yuk of the half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is the stark contrast between his past and present performances. Gallen was once a stunningly ace-like pitcher, but now he's struggling with a 6.34 ERA and the worst bWAR of any pitcher in the sport. In my opinion, his four-seam fastball has become a meatball sandwich, and he's lost faith in his once-trusty pitch. Gallen's Cy Yuk-ery is a stark reminder of how quickly things can change in baseball.
AL Rookie of the half-year: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers
Kevin McGonigle, the Tigers’ 21-year-old All-Star, is having a rookie season for the ages. (Junfu Han / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Kevin McGonigle is the AL Rookie of the half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is his remarkable performance as a 21-year-old. McGonigle is on pace to finish the season with more walks than strikeouts, which is a rare feat in the live-ball era. In my opinion, his name should be on the Hall of Fame plaques alongside the likes of Ted Williams and Rickey Henderson. McGonigle's rookie season is truly for the ages.
NL Rookie of the half-year: Foster Griffin, Nationals
Foster Griffin would be a Rookie of the Year unlike any other. (Jess Rapfogel / Getty Images)
Foster Griffin is the NL Rookie of the half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is his unique journey to the big leagues. Griffin has already pitched for three teams in six years, and he's still a rookie. In my opinion, his ability to adapt and excel in different environments is remarkable. Griffin's rookie season is truly one-of-a-kind.
AL Reliever of the half-year: Louis Varland, Blue Jays
Louis Varland has been lights out. (Olivia Vanni / Getty Images)
Louis Varland is the AL Reliever of the half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is his dominant performance as a closer. Varland is on pace to finish the season with 31 saves, no blown saves, 115 strikeouts, and a sub-1.00 ERA. In my opinion, his consistency and effectiveness make him a strong choice for the award. Varland's performance has been lights out.
NL Reliever of the half-year: Mason Miller, Padres
Good luck hitting Mason Miller. (Orlando Ramirez / Getty Images)
Mason Miller is the NL Reliever of the half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is his incredible ability to keep hitters off-balance. Miller has faced 142 hitters this year, and none of them have gotten an extra-base hit. In my opinion, his dominance has made him the most unhittable pitcher ever. Miller's Cy Yuk-ery is truly remarkable.
AL Manager of the half-year: Will Venable, White Sox
Will Venable fun fact — In Venable’s first season managing the White Sox (last year), they lost 102 games. If the season ended today, they’d be in the playoffs. (Getty)
Will Venable is the AL Manager of the half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is his remarkable turnaround with the White Sox. In my opinion, Venable has turned a 100-loss team into a playoff contender in just one year. If the White Sox go on to win their division, Venable will become the first manager to go from a 100-loss season to first place in the next year. It's a testament to his managerial skills.
NL Manager of the half-year: Don Mattingly, Phillies
Don Mattingly fun fact — When Mattingly took over the Phillies on April 28, they were 10 games under .500 and 10 1/2 games out of first place. (Getty)
Don Mattingly is the NL Manager of the half-year. What makes this particularly fascinating is his remarkable ability to turn things around. In my opinion, Mattingly has led the Phillies from 10 games under .500 to 10 games over .500 in just over two months. If he can maintain this momentum, he'll become the first manager to bring his team back from at least 9 1/2 games behind to finish first two seasons in a row. It's a testament to his managerial prowess.
