What happened: MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger released his ranking of the primary threats to Yordan Alvarez in the American League MVP race. Ben Rice and Nick Kurtz lead a nine-player list that includes breakout stars and perennial contenders.

Why it matters: The rankings highlight the massive impact of Ben Rice and other young power hitters in the 2026 season. With Alvarez currently leading the league in OPS, the emergence of rookie threats like Kurtz and elite arms like Cam Schlittler creates a complex race for voters heading into mid-June.

What to watch: Voters will monitor if Rice and Kurtz can maintain their torrid pace through the summer heat.