MLB Power Rankings: 30 best first-time MVP candidates for 2023

5) MLB Power Rankings: MVP candidate Austin Riley

How he can win the MVP: Austin Riley finished seventh in the 2021 MVP race and sixth in 2022. He’s going to get even closer to capturing it in 2023. It’s actually amazing that he hasn’t come closer. Everything he does is superb. What’s going on?

Why he won’t win the MVP: The voters have missed on Riley who has been a big part of the Braves winning the National League East two years in a row. Having to compete with several other young and talented players in Atlanta might be the biggest trouble. He isn’t getting credit he deserves.

4) MLB Power Rankings: MVP candidate Jose Ramirez

How he can win the MVP: Jose Ramirez is one of the league’s most unstoppable players. The core of the Cleveland Guardians has four years of finishing in the top 5 of the MVP race. He seems bound to win it eventually regardless of where the team is in the standings.

Why he won’t win the MVP: Shohei Ohtani is still in the American League. One or two other players will probably pass him, too. Ramirez may end up as one of those constant MVP contenders who never gets the big fish.

3) MLB Power Rankings: MVP candidate Yordan Alvarez

How he can win the MVP: Yordan Alvarez is ahead of Jose Ramirez in this week’s MLB Power Rankings just as he was in the actual American League MVP chase last year. Alvarez finished third in the voting. We already figured the Houston Astros will contend yet again. With Alvarez having 40 home run potential and the ability to drive in 100 runs all while hitting .300 or better, he’s someone that everyone should suspect will be right there at the end of the year.

Why he won’t win the MVP: The Shohei Ohtani factor will be huge in stopping Alvarez from winning the MVP. Because he’s also on a team with other MVP contenders, there’s a great chance of splitting the vote.

2) MLB Power Rankings: MVP candidate Manny Machado

How he can win the MVP: Last year, Manny Machado finished second in the MVP race. He’s also second in this week’s MLB Power Rankings. He was the reason why the San Diego Padres stayed in contention with a lackluster offense. Machado may have been somewhat lost with a couple of teams he has played for. The ability to do everything well regardless of the situation makes him a lock to finish high in the MVP race.

Why he won’t win the MVP: The 2022 season might have been Machado’s best shot. Compared to Nolan Arenado, things are incredibly close. Machado’s biggest deterrent could be someone else on his own team winning it instead. He also happens to be number one in this week’s MLB Power Rankings of first-time MVP candidates.

1) MLB Power Rankings: MVP candidate Juan Soto

How he can win the MVP: At some point Juan Soto will win an MVP. The 2022 season was a weird and unproductive one in a lot of ways. He drove in only 62 runs all year. After a runner-up finish in 2021, Soto didn’t even get any consideration for the honors in 2022. This won’t happen in 2023. Now with the San Diego Padres who plan to contend, Soto should be a favorite to win an MVP for the first time.

Why he won’t win the MVP: We could see a repeat of what happened with Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado occur with Manny Machado and Juan Soto. One could finish first and the other third. Soto walks a ton and it might ultimately stop him from putting up the home run and/or RBI totals needed to win an MVP. Ensuring he is protected in the lineup is the best way for the Padres to have their young investment win the Most Valuable Player.