2024 MLB MVP Betting Odds, Analysis, Predictions

2023 MLB Season Recap

In 2023, Judge was ultimately active in 106 games after the most memorable year of his career.

Despite not being able to follow up with another historical season after breaking the American League home run record in 2022, Judge was in good form when he was in the lineup.

The star finished the 2023 campaign with a .267 batting average, 37 home runs, and 75 RBIs. He posted a strong .406 OBP and 1.019 OPS, as well.

It’s a departure from his staggering 62 home runs and 2022 AL MVP campaign, but Judge’s heavy bat was always a serious threat¹. The hip and toe injury were the only thing preventing him from more significant numbers in 2023.

Judge 2024 MLB Season Predictions

If Judge avoids the injury bug, I expect him to trend close to roughly 50 home runs and 120 RBIs. I recommend looking back at what Judge did in his sophomore season in 2017.

The guy hit .284 with 52 home runs and 114 RBIs in 155 games. That is likely where he is trending this year. It will be difficult to match his production from 2022, but Judge going close is more than possible.

He also had an MVP-worthy campaign in 2017, though the Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve ultimately won the award. Overall, a healthy Judge is always a threat.

2023 MLB Season Recap

Although Soto played in one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the Major Leagues, he hit the most home runs of his career. The slugger swatted 35 home runs while hitting .275 with a .410 OBP.

Soto came just one RBI of matching his career-high 110 RBIs in 2019, but still just eked out a career-high in long balls.

Another reason to like his chances is related to his recent condition. Soto suited up for all 162 Padres games which shows his durability. Since 2021, the player has been injury-free and has played a minimum of 151 games in each season.

Soto 2024 MLB Season Predictions

One of the strongest left-handed hitters in MLB at Yankee Stadium? I fully expect Soto to break new career highs without any issues in 2024.

Juan Soto raises his spring average to a crisp .700 pic.twitter.com/yktCXqtq2x

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) March 6, 2024

Last season, he smacked 12 home runs and a .240 batting average at home. Away from Petco Park, Soto hit 23 long balls and a .307 average².

Soto is going to have the most enjoyable year of his career in the Bronx. His battle with Judge is going to be the race of the summer in the American League.

2023 MLB Season Recap

The Rangers paid Seager $325 million to lure him away from the Dodgers in 2022. It seemed like a lot of money at the time, but the investment paid off.

Corey Seager is with some ELITE company. 👀 #Top100RightNow

h/t: @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/ozTeE7jsBu

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) February 25, 2024

Seager rewarded the Rangers with a career-high .327 batting average and 33 home runs. His 33 home runs, .623 SLG, and 1.013 OPS are all career-high marks for the 29-year-old native of Charlotte, North Carolina⁴.

However, Seager was off the pace with the top WAR numbers in MLB. He was seventh with a WAR of 6.9 in 2023⁵, trailing teammate Marcus Siemian’s 7.4 WAR

Seager 2024 MLB Season Predictions

Despite Seager watching Ohtani go to the NL, now he has to deal with Soto’s transfer from the NL to the AL. That’s another big bat in a large market to overcome.

Seager should maintain his production from last year, but even if he does, it likely isn’t going to be enough to overcome the top contenders.

Along with Judge and Soto, Julio Rodriguez and Yordan Alvarez are expected to take a big run at the AL MVP. Ohtani’s exit does not necessarily equate to an easy MVP campaign.

2023 MLB Season Recap

After three years of suffering various injuries, Acuna Jr. was able to go a full season. His production exemplified how dangerous the man can be when he has a clean bill of health.

Acuna Jr. easily eclipsed his career highs in runs (149), hits (217), RBIs (106), walks (80), batting average (.337), stolen bases (73), and tied his previous high of 41 home runs⁶.

The prolific pace resulted in Acuna Jr. posting a WAR of 8.1, only trailing Mookie Betts and Ohtani. Additionally, he became the first player to join the 40+ home runs, 70+ stolen bases club.

Acuna Jr. 2024 MLB Season Predictions

Like with Judge, if Acuna Jr.’s health is a big factor. If he remains injury-free, he will throttle the ball at the plate. At 26 years old, Acuna Jr. has just reached the prime of his career and should continue to perform at a high level.

Eclipsing more than 70 stolen bases might be tough, but reaching roughly 65 seems likely. If that comes with another .337 batting average and 41 home runs, or thereabout, Acuna Jr. is looking at another MVP award.

Acuna Jr.’s talent at the plate is his obvious weapon, but his arm from right field shouldn’t be underestimated. There is room for improvement as a defender, though Acuna Jr.’s cannon arm will be an asset once again in 2024.

2023 MLB Season Recap

Ohtani was a force on the mound and at the plate in his final season in Anaheim. He posted an ERA of 3.14 with a 1.06 WHIP in 23 starts with the Angels. Also, he had the first complete game of his career in 2023.

Although Ohtani will be unavailable as a pitcher, the first-year Dodger did plenty of damage with the bat in his hands. He notched a .304 batting average, .412 OBP, 44 home runs, and a 1.066 OPS.

And yet, Ohtani won the 2023 AL MVP for his dual-threat ability as a pitcher and batter. Without stepping on the mound, can he win as a DH?

Ohtani 2024 MLB Season Predictions

I expect Ohtani to rack up the runs and RBIs in this lineup. He will have several opportunities to hit with RISP and for teammates to bring him around the bases to home plate.

Shohei Ohtani homers in his @Dodgers #SpringTraining debut. 💥💥 pic.twitter.com/o6vMUHKUR4

— MLB (@MLB) February 27, 2024

The power numbers are going to be there for Ohtani, as well. That being said, not pitching and playing exclusively as a DH will hurt his chances for MVP in the NL.

He’ll need to be in 2022 Judge form to make a serious push. It’s certainly possible that Ohtani does something incredibly special, but he must be close to perfect as a hitter to win the award.

2023 MLB Season Recap

According to WAR, Betts had more success than Acuna Jr. last season. The 31-year-old native of Nashville, Tennessee, finished with the second-highest WAR in baseball.

Betts’ 8.4 WAR was only topped by Ohtani’s 10.1 WAR. He finished ahead of Acuna Jr., who posted 8.1.

In his third season with the Dodgers, Betts recorded a .307 batting average, .408 OBP, 39 home runs, and 107 RBIs. The difference between Betts and Acuna Jr.?

The Brave had 73 stolen bases, while Betts notched just 14 stolen bases in 2023⁷. Nevertheless, the WAR metrics had Betts ahead of Acuna Jr.

Betts 2024 MLB Predictions

The arrival of Ohtani should only elevate Betts’ stock. Along with Freddie Freeman, these three are going to be dominant at the top of the order for the Dodgers.

Betts should continue to perform at an elite clip in 2024. With Acuna Jr. not being the healthiest player in baseball over the past few years and Ohtani unable to pitch, the door could be open for Betts to be the king of the National League.

• Gunnar Henderson (+1800) – A year after cruising to the AL Rookie of the Year award, expect Henderson to take another huge leap forward with the Orioles in 2024.
• Bo Bichette (+2500) – Perhaps one of the most underrated players in MLB, the Blue Jays’ Bichette isn’t as far off the AL MVP discussion as the odds suggest.

• Corbin Carroll (+2000) – The 2023 NL Rookie of the Year’s NL MVP odds jumped from impossible odds to +500 in the second half of the season. Integral for his role in leading the Diamondbacks to the World Series, backing Carroll is excellent value at +2000.
• Pete Alonso (+2800) – Finishing third in total home runs in 2023, Alonso might be an injury or two away from jumping into the NL MVP race.