Aaron Judge has spent the last several seasons redefining what an MVP looks like in the American League. When he’s healthy, the award often feels spoken for—towering home runs, league-leading power, and a gravitational pull that alters entire game plans.
But baseball never stays static. Heading into the 2026 American League season, the MVP landscape is deeper, faster, and younger than ever. Remove Judge from the equation, and the race transforms into a referendum on complete players, two-way impact, and stars capable of carrying franchises into October.
These three players aren’t just next in line—they’re built to own the league.
1. Bobby Witt Jr. – Kansas City Royals
If there’s a player designed for modern MVP voting, it’s Bobby Witt Jr.
Witt blends elite bat speed, explosive athleticism, and game-changing defense into a single, relentless presence. He impacts every inning—whether it’s a leadoff double, a stolen base that rattles a pitcher, or a highlight-reel play at shortstop that erases a run.
What makes Witt especially dangerous in the 2026 MVP race is trajectory. Each season, he’s added another layer to his game, transforming from raw talent into a true franchise cornerstone. If the Royals take even a modest step forward in the standings, Witt’s all-around dominance will become impossible to overlook.
A 30–30 season with Gold Glove-caliber defense at a premium position doesn’t just win MVPs—it redefines them.
2. Julio Rodríguez – Seattle Mariners
Julio Rodríguez doesn’t just play baseball—he electrifies it.
By 2026, Rodríguez is firmly in his prime, anchoring a Mariners lineup that increasingly reflects his personality: aggressive, powerful, and fearless. Few players in the league can change a game with one swing—or one sprint around the bases—the way Rodríguez can.
What elevates Julio’s MVP case is his ability to blend superstar production with leadership. He’s not just the best player on the field; he’s the emotional center of a team chasing sustained postseason success.
If Rodríguez posts a season featuring 40 home runs, elite outfield defense, and top-tier run production, he becomes the face of the American League—and a near-lock for MVP votes.
3. Gunnar Henderson – Baltimore Orioles
Every MVP race has a player who represents the future arriving ahead of schedule. Gunnar Henderson is that player.
Henderson’s rise mirrors the Orioles’ resurgence: young, fearless, and built to last. His left-handed power plays in any park, his plate discipline continues to sharpen, and his defensive versatility allows him to impact games even when the bat cools.
What makes Henderson’s 2026 MVP case especially compelling is the lineup context. Batting in front of Pete Alonso’s elite power—and potentially Adley Rutschman, one of the best all-around catchers in baseball—forces pitchers into impossible choices. Attack Henderson and risk damage behind him, or pitch around him and watch traffic pile up on the bases.
That protection could unlock Henderson’s most efficient offensive season yet: more pitches in the zone, more RBI opportunities, and fewer soft spots for opposing staffs to exploit. If Baltimore continues to contend in the brutal AL East, Henderson won’t just be a star—he’ll be the engine.
A season featuring 40-plus home runs, elite on-base numbers, and steady infield defense, paired with premium lineup protection, would make his MVP case overwhelming.
The Last Word
The 2026 AL MVP race won’t belong to the loudest market or the biggest contract. It will belong to the player who defines the season—who shows up every night and tilts the standings in his team’s favor.
If Aaron Judge leaves even the smallest opening, Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodríguez, and Gunnar Henderson are ready to seize it.
And when the season ends, one of them will stand as the new face of the American League.