Shohei Ohtani Climbs WAR Rankings Among MVP Contenders

**Shohei Ohtani surged up the WAR leaderboard on July 9, 2026, moving into the top three MVP candidates and reshaping the season’s award narrative.** His latest 7.2 WAR total places him just behind NL leader Pete Crow‑Armstrong (7.5) and ahead of veteran Aaron Judge (6.9), according to the latest MLB analytics roundup.

Ohtani’s rise stems from a blistering second half of the season. Between June 1 and July 8 he logged a 3.1 WAR stretch, highlighted by a 12‑run homer on June 15 and a 10‑strikeout pitching performance on June 27. Those outings lifted his cumulative WAR from 5.9 to 7.2, a jump that outpaced most NL rivals.

WAR, or Wins Above Replacement, is the metric most voters cite when debating MVP value. Ohtani’s dual‑role impact-both as a power hitter and a strikeout pitcher-gives him a unique edge. While NL hopeful Pete Crow‑Armstrong leads with 7.5 WAR, his contributions are confined to the outfield and batting. Ohtani’s ability to influence games on both sides of the diamond forces voters to weigh versatility heavily.

The ranking also lists NL stalwart Paul Goldschmidt at 6.8 WAR and AL slugger Mike Trout at 6.5 WAR. Aaron Judge, despite a recent slump, remains in the conversation with 6.9 WAR, thanks to his early‑season power surge. Each candidate’s WAR reflects recent performance trends, but Ohtani’s recent surge narrows the gap dramatically.

The next two weeks feature a packed schedule for the Angels, including series against the Yankees and the Dodgers. A strong showing could push Ohtani past Crow‑Armstrong, especially if he adds another 1.0 WAR performance. Conversely, a dip in form or injury could see him slip back below the 7.0 mark, reopening the race for the NL crown.

Baseball analysts at FanGraphs and Baseball‑Reference note that Ohtani’s WAR per game now sits at 0.45, the highest among active two‑way players. They argue that his value is amplified by the scarcity of elite pitchers who can also hit at his level. The consensus is that if he maintains this pace, he will be a lock for the MVP award, regardless of league affiliation.

For Angels supporters, Ohtani’s climb fuels optimism heading into the playoff push. The team’s front office may also feel pressure to keep him healthy, given his MVP‑level contribution. Meanwhile, NL fans watch closely as Crow‑Armstrong fights to protect his lead, setting up a potential cross‑league showdown at the awards ceremony.

**The WAR race is now a tight sprint, with Shohei Ohtani’s recent surge turning him into a front‑runner for the 2026 MVP award.**