MLB · 3 months ago

Making the NL MVP Case for 5 Superstars Not Named Shohei Ohtani

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

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Zack Wheeler: The Workhorse Leading Philly
Stat Line: 2.38 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 154 K in 122 IP

Zack Wheeler continues to prove he's one of the best pitchers of his generation. With a sub-2.40 ERA and a WHIP below 0.90, he’s been the ace of a Philadelphia Phillies squad built to make a deep playoff run.

Back-to-back dominant outings, including a complete game with 12 strikeouts and an 8-inning shutout, have elevated his profile. While pitchers rarely win MVP without elite hitting, Wheeler's value can’t be dismissed in 2025.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Pete Crow-Armstrong: The Game-Changer at Wrigley
Stat Line: 25 HR, 27 SB, 71 RBI, 67 runs, .544 SLG, 5.4 bWAR in 95 games

Pete Crow-Armstrong is putting together one of the most electrifying seasons in recent memory. The 23-year-old Chicago Cubs center fielder has already joined the exclusive club of players with 25+ homers and 25+ steals before the All-Star break — a feat previously achieved only by Barry Bonds and Eric Davis.

He’s been sizzling in July with a .919 OPS and five multi-hit games, flashing Gold Glove-caliber defense and top-tier baserunning. According to Baseball Savant, PCA ranks in the 100th percentile for fielding run value and sits among the league’s elite in sprint speed, barrel rate, and expected slugging. He may chase a bit (1st percentile chase rate), but his impact on the field is undeniable.

With a shot at a 40/40 season and the Cubs pushing the Dodgers in the standings, Crow-Armstrong could force MVP voters to take notice — especially if Shohei Ohtani’s second-half numbers don’t rebound.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.
Juan Soto: Heating Up in the Big Apple
Stat Line: 23 HR, .396 OBP, .905 OPS, 77 BB, 78 K, 3.9 bWAR

After a slow start in Queens, Juan Soto is back to his old self. Since June, he’s been one of the most dangerous hitters in the game — showing off elite plate discipline and producing big numbers in key spots for the New York Mets.

His OPS has climbed over .900, and he’s kept pace in WAR with the league’s best. If Soto leads the Mets to a postseason push and continues to mash, he’ll have a narrative and statistical case to surge into MVP contention. With odds still around +2000, the betting value is very real.

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James Wood: The Nationals’ Sudden Superstar
Stat Line: 24 HR, 69 RBI, .915 OPS, 4.4 bWAR in 95 games

James Wood has exploded onto the scene for the Washington Nationals and is already among MLB’s most feared hitters. The 22-year-old slugger has posted elite batted-ball numbers — 95th percentile or better in average exit velocity, xSLG, barrel rate, and bat speed. He even drew four intentional walks in a single game, a feat not seen since Barry Bonds in 2004.

Wood ranks fifth in bWAR among position players and has played himself into MVP relevance. While the Nationals may not be playoff-bound, Wood’s individual brilliance has been impossible to ignore.

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Paul Skenes: Electric Arm, Limited Volume
Stat Line: 2.01 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 131 K in 121 IP

Paul Skenes continues to impress in his sophomore campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He’s putting up elite numbers across the board, including a 2.01 ERA and a WHIP under 1.00.

However, his innings are being tightly managed — with just one outing of 6+ IP in his last six starts — which could ultimately keep him out of serious MVP consideration. Still, the talent and ceiling are undeniable.
Zack Wheeler: The Workhorse Leading Philly
Stat Line: 2.38 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 154 K in 122 IP

Zack Wheeler continues to prove he's one of the best pitchers of his generation. With a sub-2.40 ERA and a WHIP below 0.90, he’s been the ace of a Philadelphia Phillies squad built to make a deep playoff run.

Back-to-back dominant outings, including a complete game with 12 strikeouts and an 8-inning shutout, have elevated his profile. While pitchers rarely win MVP without elite hitting, Wheeler's value can’t be dismissed in 2025.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Pete Crow-Armstrong: The Game-Changer at Wrigley
Stat Line: 25 HR, 27 SB, 71 RBI, 67 runs, .544 SLG, 5.4 bWAR in 95 games

Pete Crow-Armstrong is putting together one of the most electrifying seasons in recent memory. The 23-year-old Chicago Cubs center fielder has already joined the exclusive club of players with 25+ homers and 25+ steals before the All-Star break — a feat previously achieved only by Barry Bonds and Eric Davis.

He’s been sizzling in July with a .919 OPS and five multi-hit games, flashing Gold Glove-caliber defense and top-tier baserunning. According to Baseball Savant, PCA ranks in the 100th percentile for fielding run value and sits among the league’s elite in sprint speed, barrel rate, and expected slugging. He may chase a bit (1st percentile chase rate), but his impact on the field is undeniable.

With a shot at a 40/40 season and the Cubs pushing the Dodgers in the standings, Crow-Armstrong could force MVP voters to take notice — especially if Shohei Ohtani’s second-half numbers don’t rebound.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.

Making the NL MVP Case for 5 Superstars Not Named Shohei Ohtani

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