MLB MVP Chases
Plus Bases and Scoring leaders
Photo credit: Tage Olsin
IN THIS ISSUE:
Baseball Scoring leaders
Bases Gained leaders
AL and NL MVP Chase leaders
Note: These lists are based on 2026 games played through May 31—data gathered from Stathead. The Scoring and Bases Gained lists and joint NL and AL lists, extended down to the tenth-place in each league, even if more than ten from the other league are ahead of him.
SCORING
“All Runs” (AR) is the total number of runs the player has scored and runs he has batted in. Home Runs are (ironically but necessarily) deducted because they count both as a run scored and an RBI.
All Runs (AR) leaders
BASES GAINED
“Bases Gained” (BG) is the sum of Total Bases plus bases on balls (walks) and stolen bases.
NL and AL MVP Chases
For me, the most important factor in the Most Valuable Player award is making major contributions to team victories. Good performances in losses don’t count; they should be considered when handing out “best player” or all-star selections, but not MVP.
I concluded two seasons ago that the best measure to determine a “major contribution in victory is three or more bases gained. A BG of 3 in a win most likely means the player drove in or scored a run, and even if he hadn’t, he made the game more challenging for the opposing pitching staff.
The case of Shohei Ohtani complicates this simple standard, as he’s contributed five great pitching outings in victories as well. I don’t have a set rule for how much more it should be weighted, but it elevates him from 2nd in the NL MVP chase to 1st. The number of wins with 3+ BG is listed, followed by the name. Players who tied in BG are listed alphabetically
NATIONAL LEAGUE
21 Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers - plus 5 pitching wins with 2 or fewer earned runs
27 Matt Olson, Braves
20 James Wood, Nationals
19 Andy Pages, Dodgers
19 Kyle Schwarber. Phillies
18 Elly De La Cruz, Reds
18 Bryce Harper, Phillies
17 Crobin Carroll, D’backs
17 Ian Happ, Cubs
15 Ozzie Albies, Braves
15 Oneil Cruz, Pirates
15 Brice Turang, Brewers
AMERICAN LEAGUE
21 Aaron Judge, Yankees
19 Ben Rice, Yankees
18 Cody Bellinger, Yankees
17 Yordan Alvarez, Astros
17 Nick Kurtz, Athletics
16 Randy Arozareana, Mariners
16 Junior Cabinaero, Rays
16 Christian Walker, Astros
15 Jonathan Aranda, Rays
15 Munetaka Murakami, White Sox
15 Miguel Vargas, White Sox
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Contact James Leroy Wilson for writing, editing, research, and other work at jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com. Visit JL Cells for my non-sports writing.