Two months into the 2026 Major League Baseball season, the standings and award races are beginning to take shape, with several surprise teams and breakout performances reshaping the conversation. The latest weekly power rankings from a group of baseball writers not only track the league’s best and worst teams, but also spotlight the top award candidates for each club, from MVP and Cy Young to Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, Manager of the Year and reliever honors.
In the National League, Shohei Ohtani remains the front-runner for MVP, continuing to produce at an elite level both at the plate and on the mound. His pitching numbers have been especially eye-catching, making him one of the most unique stars in the sport. In the NL Cy Young race, Chris Sale and Cristopher Sánchez are among the leading names, while Jacob Misiorowski has emerged as one of the most electric young arms in baseball. Sánchez, in particular, drew attention for a historic month in which he threw 39 innings without allowing a run.
The American League Cy Young picture is less settled, but Cam Schlittler has surged into the lead after a strong stretch with the Yankees. Seattle’s rotation is also crowded with contenders, with the Mariners offering multiple pitchers capable of breaking into the race. Meanwhile, reliever honors are already taking shape: Mason Miller is dominating the NL discussion, while Cade Smith of the Guardians and Louis Varland of the Blue Jays are among the top AL candidates.
Several position players are making strong award cases as well. Corbin Carroll is in the NL MVP mix with a complete all-around season, while Juan Soto is building another strong offensive case for the Mets. Yordan Alvarez continues to post MVP-caliber numbers in the AL despite Houston’s disappointing start. Bobby Witt Jr. is once again playing like a five-tool superstar for Kansas City and remains a serious AL MVP contender.
Rookie of the Year races are especially competitive. JJ Wetherholt of the Cardinals appears to be the clear NL favorite thanks to his impact on both offense and defense, while Kevin McGonigle has become one of the AL’s best young players despite Detroit’s rough season. Munetaka Murakami was once in the AL Rookie conversation, but an injury has complicated his path.
Defense also features prominently in the rankings. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads NL outfielders in defensive metrics, Elly De La Cruz is making a strong Gold Glove case at shortstop, and Ceddanne Rafaela stands out as the best defensive center fielder in the AL. On offense, players such as Brandon Lowe, Xavier Edwards, Josh Jung and Shea Langeliers are all building strong cases for Silver Slugger honors, with several tightly contested battles likely to continue into the summer.
Among managers, Tampa Bay’s Kevin Cash and Washington’s Blake Butera are drawing attention for leading surprising, successful teams. The Rays sit atop the AL standings, while the Nationals have become one of the season’s biggest early surprises.
The broader picture is clear: the 2026 awards races are wide open, crowded with elite veterans, rising stars and unexpected contenders, setting up a compelling stretch run.
