Shohei Ohtani Dominates MLB Midseason Awards Ballot: Who’s Leading the Race for Second-Half Honors?

**Shohei Ohtani is a lock for MLB midseason awards consideration as the second-half ballot opens**, with the two-way star already among the front-runners for MVP and Cy Young honors. The latest voting snapshot, released on July 13, 2026, shows him battling Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole for top spots in key categories, while also drawing comparisons to past winners like Mike Trout and Justin Verlander.**

The ballot highlights Ohtani’s dual-threat dominance as a primary candidate for **both MVP and Cy Young**. Through July 12, he ranks **second in MVP voting** (behind Judge) and **third in Cy Young** (trailing Cole and Max Scherzer). His .312/.431/.650 slash line and 12 HRs/6 wins in 2026 keep him in the conversation for a historic two-way sweep.

Analysts note Ohtani’s statistical parity with **2023 MVP Aaron Judge** (1.100 OPS vs. Judge’s 1.080) and **2022 Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole** (3.12 ERA vs. Cole’s 2.93). However, his **15 stolen bases**-a rarity for pitchers-adds a unique edge. The ballot also includes dark horses like **Ronald Acuña Jr.** (MVP) and **Corbin Burnes** (Cy Young), but Ohtani’s two-way impact keeps him at the top.

The second-half ballot closes on **August 15**, giving Ohtani a chance to extend his lead. His upcoming series against the **Houston Astros** (July 15-17) and **Dodgers** (July 22-24) will be critical. If he maintains his **1.000+ OPS** and **sub-3.00 ERA**, he could surpass Judge in MVP voting by the deadline.

A midseason award would cement Ohtani’s place among MLB’s elite two-way players. His **2026 performance** already mirrors his **2021 Cy Young/MVP sweep**, but a second-half trophy could push him closer to **Babe Ruth’s 1923 triple crown**. The Dodgers’ playoff push-currently **third in the NL West**-adds pressure, but Ohtani’s individual stats remain the focus.