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Alvarez Named Finalist for 2026 AL MVP

The Astros slugger is one of three finalists after winning the American League batting title with a .316 average.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Baseball

Expressive sports illustration of a batter in navy and orange mid-swing at an open-air ballpark under a warm evening sky, evoking the AL MVP race.
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez was named one of three finalists for the 2026 American League Most Valuable Player Award after winning the batting title. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Yordan Alvarez was named a finalist for the 2026 American League Most Valuable Player Award, joining Junior Caminero of the Rays and Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals. The winner will be announced from 6-7 p.m. CT Nov. 12 on MLB Network.

Why it matters

Alvarez's season placed him among the league's elite offensive producers, and the MVP vote reflects how Houston's lineup performed against the rest of the American League. The result will be decided by Baseball Writers' Association of America voters.

Alvarez led the American League in on-base percentage (.432), slugging percentage (.601), and OPS (1.033), with 7.2 offensive WAR. The final MVP vote tally has not been released ahead of the Nov. 12 announcement.

The players

Yordan Alvarez

Houston Astros designated hitter and outfielder who won the 2026 American League batting title.

Junior Caminero

Tampa Bay Rays infielder and one of three finalists for the 2026 AL MVP Award.

Bobby Witt Jr.

Kansas City Royals shortstop and one of three finalists for the 2026 AL MVP Award.

The details

Alvarez won the AL batting title and led the league in total bases (341), walks (109), and extra-base hits (77). He is the third player since 1970 to win the batting title while hitting at least 40 homers, and his 33 intentional walks broke Jeff Bagwell's club record of 27 set in 1997.

Timeline

  1. June 12: Alvarez hit a two-run homer and a grand slam in a nine-run first inning in Kansas City.

  2. July 4: Alvarez hit two homers, including a walk-off homer over the Rays.

  3. Aug. 2: Alvarez went 4-for-5 in a sweep of the Rangers.

  4. Nov. 12: The AL MVP winner will be announced from 6-7 p.m. CT on MLB Network.

Season Trajectory

Alvarez's 33 intentional walks broke Jeff Bagwell's Astros club record of 27 set in 1997, underscoring how opposing pitchers avoided him this season. His combination of a batting title and 40-plus homers places him in rare company, as he is only the third player since 1970 to accomplish that feat.

The MVP announcement on Nov. 12 will settle the award race between Alvarez, Caminero, and Witt. Fantasy managers tracking the 2026 season can use Alvarez's league-leading .432 on-base percentage and 1.033 OPS as benchmarks for next season's drafts.

The takeaway

Alvarez's season shows how a single hitter can dominate every offensive category at once, combining a batting title with power and plate discipline. Readers following the award race can watch the Nov. 12 broadcast to see how voters weighed those contributions.

What happens next

The AL MVP winner will be announced from 6-7 p.m. CT Nov. 12 on MLB Network.

Further reading

For more on the Astros' season, see Baseball coverage on Wisevoter.