MLB MVP Long Shots: 5 Players Making Early Cases
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles (+3000)
Even in a "down year" by his standards, Adley Rutschman remained one of the most productive catchers in the game. In 2024, he made his second All-Star appearance, hit 19 home runs, drove in 79, and compiled 3.4 bWAR while finishing with a 106 OPS+. Since debuting in 2022, he ranks among the AL's top five catchers (min. 500 plate appearances) in several key offensive categories, including home runs, RBI, average, wOBA, and wRC+. He also leads in OBP and fWAR. The Orioles’ backstop has shown flashes of MVP-level dominance before—if he gets back to his peak form, there’s no telling how high his ceiling is.
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Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks (+2000)
After a rocky sophomore season, Corbin Carroll looks like a man on a mission in 2025. Though he struggled through the first half of last year—batting just .213 in 94 games—he bounced back with a strong finish, hitting .259 with a .919 OPS in the second half. Fast forward to this season, and the 24-year-old is red-hot out of the gate. In his first 13 games, Carroll is slashing .320 with ten extra-base hits and an eye-popping 1.164 OPS. He currently leads all of baseball in bWAR (1.2) and tops the National League in slugging (.740) and OPS. While he sits behind big names like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto in the odds, Carroll’s resilience and explosive start make him a legitimate dark horse MVP candidate.
Jackson Chourio, Milwaukee Brewers (+3500)
Jackson Chourio is making a loud statement early in 2025. At just 21 years old, he’s already leading the National League with 16 RBI through 13 games. He’s also launched four home runs, with a slugging percentage of .655 and an OPS of .960—numbers that turn heads regardless of age. After finishing third in last year’s Rookie of the Year race, Chourio is quickly proving he belongs in the MVP conversation. At the same time, he faces steep competition from the NL’s elite, his all-around talent gives him a real shot—if not this year, then certainly shortly.
Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres (+2500)
Jackson Merrill may be just 21, but he’s already become the face of the Padres—and now, he’s locked in for the long haul. Coming off a stellar rookie campaign in which he posted 4.4 bWAR, hit 24 homers, drove in 90 runs, and earned both a Silver Slugger and All-Star nod, Merrill returned in 2025 looking even sharper. Before a minor hamstring strain landed him on the IL, he was batting .378 with a 1.090 OPS across ten games. He still leads the NL in average, and his all-around game continues to dazzle. With health on his side, Merrill has the talent to rack up MVP hardware throughout his new nine-year extension.
Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers (+5000)
On the American League side, Riley Greene continues to emerge as one of the Tigers' foundational pieces. An All-Star in 2024, Greene is already showing signs of taking another leap in 2025. Through 12 games, he’s batting .286 with three home runs, five RBI, a .551 slugging percentage, and an .851 OPS. His upward trend from 2023 to 2024 suggests there’s even more to come. Anchoring the heart of Detroit’s lineup, Greene is positioned for a breakout year. If he can surpass the 5.4 bWAR he posted last season, he might find himself in serious MVP contention.
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles (+3000)
Even in a "down year" by his standards, Adley Rutschman remained one of the most productive catchers in the game. In 2024, he made his second All-Star appearance, hit 19 home runs, drove in 79, and compiled 3.4 bWAR while finishing with a 106 OPS+. Since debuting in 2022, he ranks among the AL's top five catchers (min. 500 plate appearances) in several key offensive categories, including home runs, RBI, average, wOBA, and wRC+. He also leads in OBP and fWAR. The Orioles’ backstop has shown flashes of MVP-level dominance before—if he gets back to his peak form, there’s no telling how high his ceiling is.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks (+2000)
After a rocky sophomore season, Corbin Carroll looks like a man on a mission in 2025. Though he struggled through the first half of last year—batting just .213 in 94 games—he bounced back with a strong finish, hitting .259 with a .919 OPS in the second half. Fast forward to this season, and the 24-year-old is red-hot out of the gate. In his first 13 games, Carroll is slashing .320 with ten extra-base hits and an eye-popping 1.164 OPS. He currently leads all of baseball in bWAR (1.2) and tops the National League in slugging (.740) and OPS. While he sits behind big names like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto in the odds, Carroll’s resilience and explosive start make him a legitimate dark horse MVP candidate.
