MLB midseason awards 2026: MVP and LVP, Cy Young and Cy Yuk, top rookies and more
2026 MLB Midseason Awards: MVP, LVP, Cy Young, Cy Yuk, Rookies, Relievers, Managers
The 2026 MLB season is in full swing, and it's time for the annual midseason awards. From MVPs to Cy Young winners, let's dive into the top performers and underperformers of the first half of the season.
MVPs
AL MVP: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Yordan Alvarez is leading the league in almost everything, making him an easy choice for MVP. His second half performance could be even more impressive than his first half, with a potential Triple Crown in sight.
NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Ohtani's dual role as a hitter and pitcher makes him an unbeatable MVP candidate. His hitting prowess and pitching dominance are a force to be reckoned with.
LVPs
AL LVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s performance has been shocking, especially considering his high-profile contract. His struggles at the plate have impacted the Blue Jays' offense.
NL LVP: Mr. Met, Mets
The Mets' mascot, Mr. Met, becomes the fall guy for a series of poor acquisitions. Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., and Jorge Polanco have all underperformed, dragging the team down.
Cy Youngs
AL Cy Young: Cam Schlittler, Yankees
Cam Schlittler edges out Dylan Cease for the AL Cy Young honors. His ERA and ERA+ are impressive, and he finds another gear when needed.
NL Cy Young: Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers
Jacob Misiorowski's fastball is nearly unhittable, with a 100 mph+ pitch. His ERA and strikeouts are historic, making him a strong contender for the NL Cy Young.
Cy Yuks
AL Cy Yuk: Brayan Bello, Red Sox
Brayan Bello's struggles in the first inning and overall performance have been a disappointment. His ERA and other metrics are among the worst in the league.
NL Cy Yuk: Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks
Zac Gallen's four-seam fastball has become a meatball sandwich, leading to a poor ERA and bWAR. His performance has been a stark contrast to his previous ace-like seasons.
Rookies
AL Rookie: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers
Kevin McGonigle is on pace to finish the season with more walks than strikeouts, a rare feat for a 21-year-old. His potential is evident, and he's destined for stardom.
NL Rookie: Foster Griffin, Nationals
Foster Griffin has been impressive, allowing one earned run or none in seven straight starts. His story is unique, having played for three different teams in six years.
Relievers
AL Reliever: Louis Varland, Blue Jays
Louis Varland is lights out, with a sub-1.00 ERA and impressive strikeout numbers. He's on pace for a dominant season, similar to Blake Treinen's 2018 performance.
NL Reliever: Mason Miller, Padres
Mason Miller is the most unhittable pitcher ever, with no extra-base hits in 217 consecutive hitters. His dominance has been historic.
Managers
AL Manager: Will Venable, White Sox
Will Venable has transformed the White Sox from a 100-loss team to a playoff contender. His success is remarkable, considering the team's previous struggles.
NL Manager: Don Mattingly, Phillies
Don Mattingly has led the Phillies from 10 games under .500 to 10 games over .500. His ability to turn around a team's fortunes is impressive, and he's on track for a Manager of the Year trophy.
