Yordan Alvarez Sweeps AL MVP Vote Unanimously
The Astros slugger earned all 30 first-place votes after leading the major leagues in batting average, walks, and slugging percentage.
By Amit Chukwu ·
Yordan Alvarez secured the American League Most Valuable Player award with a unanimous vote on Thursday night. The Houston Astros outfielder collected all 30 first-place ballots from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays placed second, while Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals finished third.
Alvarez posted a career-high .316 batting average for the American League West champions. He recorded 42 home runs and 106 runs batted in. The 29-year-old led all major league players in batting average, walks, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.
Pete Alonso of the Baltimore Orioles finished just ahead of Alvarez in the home run and RBI standings. Alonso hit 43 home runs and drove in 113 runs. Alvarez’s statistical edge in plate discipline and average secured the title despite the slight deficit in raw power numbers.
The award marks a historic moment for Houston baseball. Alvarez is the first player from the Astros to win the AL MVP since Jose Altuve in 2017. He serves primarily as the team's designated hitter, a role that allowed his offensive production to outweigh defensive considerations.
Alvarez has been with Houston since entering the majors in 2019. He won the AL Rookie of the Year award that season with a .313 average, 27 home runs, and 78 RBIs in 87 games. The four-time All-Star also earned MVP honors in the 2021 American League Championship Series and helped the team win the 2022 World Series.
Through eight major league seasons, Alvarez has maintained a .300 batting average. His career totals stand at 212 home runs and 599 runs batted in.
