Two months of the 2026 MLB season are complete, making it a good time to hand out some unofficial hardware. While there's still plenty of baseball left to play, enough has happened through May to identify the early leaders for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year in both leagues.
American League
MVP: Nick Kurtz
In a crowded race, Nick Kurtz gets the nod. He ranks fourth in fWAR at 1.5 while slashing .333/.456/.569 with a 1.025 OPS. His 48-game on-base streak finally ended on May 26, but he reached base in all but two games during the month.
Honorable Mention: Jonathan Aranda
Cy Young: Shane McClanahan
McClanahan was dominant in May, going 4-0 with a 1.41 ERA across six starts. In 32 innings, he allowed just five earned runs, walked six, and surrendered only one home run.
Honorable Mention: Davis Martin
Rookie of the Month: Travis Bazzana
Bazzana wasn't just the top rookie in May, he was one of the best second basemen in the American League. He slashed .311/.398/.476 and tied Sam Antonacci for the rookie lead with eight stolen bases. Bazzana has quickly become a catalyst at the top of Cleveland's lineup.
Honorable Mention: Munetaka Murakami
Manager of the Month: Stephen Vogt (CLE)
Manager is one of the toughest awards to evaluate on a monthly basis, but Vogt stands out. Cleveland went 18-11 in May despite a run differential that suggested a closer-to-.500 record. The Guardians consistently found ways to win close games, and it's hard to ignore the influence of the reigning AL Manager of the Year.
Honorable Mention: Kevin Cash (TBR)
National League
MVP: James Wood
Wood posted a 176 wRC+ in May, tied for the best mark in the National League. He also swiped five bases, good enough for eighth in the league. While his defense grades out slightly below average, his bat and baserunning have already made him one of baseball's most dangerous offensive players.
Honorable Mentions: JJ Bleday, Cristopher Sánchez
Cy Young: Cristopher Sanchez
This was essentially a two-man choice, and Sánchez gets the edge. The Phillies' left-hander did not concede a run in May, striking out 45 batters while issuing just three walks. His month was highlighted by a complete-game shutout in which he gave up just six hits and punched out 13.
Jacob Misiorowski made the decision incredibly difficult, posting a 5-0 record with a 0.23 ERA, 57 strikeouts, and just one earned run allowed in 38.1 innings.
Honorable Mention: Jacob Misiorowski
Rookie of the Month: Konnor Griffin
Griffin's .820 OPS ranked fourth among qualified NL rookies in May, but his all-around game separates him from the field. He plays premium defense, contributes on the bases, and leads all NL rookies with seven steals. He's quickly emerging as a legitimate Rookie of the Year contender.
Manager of the Month: Don Mattingly
Unlike in the AL, this choice feels straightforward. Since replacing Rob Thomson, Mattingly has completely changed the trajectory of Philadelphia's season.
The Phillies went just 9-19 under Thomson. Since Mattingly took over, they are 21-10 and have climbed back above .500 while moving within striking distance of a Wild Card spot. No manager had a bigger impact on his club's fortunes in May.
Honorable Mention: Dave Roberts
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