The Cuban Yordan Alvarez lived a dream night this past Wednesday, when MLB held its awards ceremony for the 2026 season. And the best part for the shoveler of the Houston Astros is that this day seems to have only been the preamble to their big moment this Thursday, when the winners of the awards will be announced. MVP (Most Valuable Player) in both leagues.
Álvarez, great favorite to win the MVP distinction in the American Leagueconquered the Hank Aaron Awardan award given annually to the player with the best offensive performance in each circuit. The gardener Pete Crow-Armstrongof the Chicago Cubswas the winner in the National.
“It means a lot to me,” said the Antillean in a conversation with MLB Network while receiving the award. “Especially because I wear number 44 on my uniform. And I’ve been working very hard for this moment. It’s very special for me to be able to see my name on this award,” he added.
Álvarez’s season with the Astros was one to remember. The slugger led his league in average (.316), OBP (.432), slugging (.601), OPS (1.033) and OPS+ (190), while hitting 42 home runs and driving in 106 runs.
This performance led the native of Las Tunas will also stay with him Édgar Martínez Award for Best Designated Hitter.
And, if that were not enough, Álvarez, 29 years old, won the award for Comeback of the Year in the American League, while the pitcher Zack Wheelerof the Philadelphia Philliesdid the same in the old circuit.
On the star team
Although the Astros’ season ended in disappointment, after the Texan troop was swept in two games and eliminated by the Chicago White Sox in the Wild Card Series of the young circuit, Álvarez can boast of having been part of the MLB main team in 2026.
The talented shoveler was chosen as the designated hitter of the First Team of the majors in this campaign, which they completed Pete Alonso (1B), Brice Turang (2B), Bobby Witt Jr. (H.H), Junior Caminero (3B), Gabriel Moreno (C), Crow-Armstrong (OF), Fernando Tatis Jr. (OF) and Jackson Chourio (OF).
The MVP award winners in both leagues will be announced this Thursday at 7:00 pm ET. USA. Álvarez is one of the three finalists in the Americana along with Caminero and Witt Jr.
