AL MVP futures: Aaron Judge a big favorite ahead of All-Star Break

The first half of the MLB season is coming to a close, with the All-Star Break next week. When it comes to the American League MVP race, it does appear there’s a clear-cut favorite right now – New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. He’s putting up huge numbers and is the only player to have negative odds at 888sport in the MVP running. Gunnar Henderson, Juan Soto, and Bobby Witt Jr are also other names to watch. Below, we’ll discuss further. 

Aaron Judge

Judge started off the season slow but has found his best. The superstar just slugged his MLB-leading 33rd home run on Friday in a victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Shohei Ohtani’s 28 long balls are the next closest. In 94 contests, Judge is batting .306 with 33 bombs, 23 doubles, and 84 RBI. June was a massive month for the veteran, slashing over 400 with 11 homers. Judge is a big reason NY is one of the better teams in the bigs and will be important in their pursuit of a potential World Series this fall. The 32-year-old won AL MVP in 2022 where he smacked a historic 62 HRs. Unless he hits a brutal slump, it looks likely Judge will take home another MVP award.

Gunnar Henderson

Henderson’s odds are pretty far off Judge’s at MLB betting sites, but he’s definitely in the mix for the prestigious honor. The Orioles shortstop is phenomenal defensively and has put up wonderful numbers at the dish after winning Rookie of the Year in 2023. Henderson is slashing .288 with 27 home runs, 18 doubles, five triples, and 61 RBI. He also has a .376 OBP and a .584 slugging percentage. Henderson is undoubtedly Baltimore’s most valuable player. He’ll be integral in the O’s potentially winning the AL East over the Yankees. Again, this is likely Judge’s award, but betting on Henderson, even if it’s just a small wager, is worth a shot.

Juan Soto

When the Yankees traded for Juan Soto last offseason, the hope was he’d come in and be a superstar like he used to be in his Washington Nationals days. Needless to say, that’s essentially what’s happened. Soto is fitting right in with NY, hitting .292 in 92 games with 22 long balls and 65 RBI. He’s formed a lethal partnership in the heart of the Yankees lineup with Judge. Soto has never won MVP, but he’s been in the mix several times before during his tenure in the National League. Winning it over Judge is unlikely, but Soto should get some looks.

Bobby Witt Jr

The Kansas City Royals infielder leads the AL in hits (124) and ranks second behind only Steven Kwan with a .327 average. Witt Jr is a huge reason KC is actually in the postseason discussion, currently sitting at 52-43. He’s participating in the Home Run Derby next week in Arlington, too. The 24-year-old has top-five odds in the MVP race. Perhaps he may not take it home in 24’, but an MVP could very well be in his trophy case at some point over what should be a long big league career.