Ohtani Finishes Top Three in MVP Vote for Sixth Straight Year
The Dodgers star joins Ted Williams in a rare streak, though injuries limited his second half performance.
By Mateo Thompson ·
Shohei Ohtani secured a place in the top three of the National League MVP voting for the sixth consecutive season, a statistical feat shared only with Ted Williams in Major League Baseball history. According to Elias Sports, Williams achieved this specific milestone across two separate runs, while Ohtani has maintained the streak without interruption. This marks the first time since 2022 that Ohtani is not the overwhelming favorite to win the hardware.
The current top three finalists for the National League award include Ohtani, Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang, and Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Crow-Armstrong, a former standout at Harvard-Westlake, is widely projected to claim the title. Turang, who attended Corona Santiago High, rounds out the group. Ohtani won the MVP award in the National League during both 2024 and 2025 while with the Dodgers.
Ohtani’s 2026 season was defined by physical setbacks. He played through knee and biceps injuries, which forced him to stop pitching after July 3. In 14 starts, he posted an 8-2 record with a 1.79 earned run average. His offensive numbers also dipped to their lowest levels since his 2022 season with the Angels. He finished with a .275 batting average, a .377 on-base percentage, and an .889 OPS. His 30 home runs were his fewest in a full season since 2019.
A notable dry spell occurred during the regular season, as Ohtani went 25 games without a home run. That streak ended with a three-run homer in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Brewers. The 2026 season follows a pattern of alternating success. Ohtani won the American League MVP with the Angels in 2021 and 2023. He finished second to Aaron Judge in 2022. He then moved to the National League and won the award in 2024 and 2025.
Ohtani is one of only two players to win MVP awards in both leagues, the other being Frank Robinson. Barry Bonds, a seven-time winner, previously held the record for consecutive top-three finishes. Bonds achieved four straight in the early 1990s and five straight in the early 2000s. The American League finalists for this year's award are Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
The Dodgers front office is also undergoing leadership changes. Executive vice president and chief operating officer Bob Wolfe will retire at the end of 2026. He has served the organization for 14 years, including the last five as COO, and has spent 47 years in professional sports. Wolfe will transition to an advisory role. Caroline Perry, who spent 16 seasons with the San Diego Padres, will replace Wolfe as COO effective November 30. Royce Cohen has been named executive vice president and chief business officer.
Winners for the 2026 MVP awards will be announced on MLB Network on Thursday, November 12.
