2026 MLB Awards Watch: MVP, Cy Young and more for July

ESPN takes an early look at the 2026 MLB award races, examining top candidates for honors including the MVP and Cy Young Award as the season reaches the July stretch. Several standout players have emerged as frontrunners based on their first-half performances, with pitchers and position players alike making compelling cases. The mid-season checkpoint provides a useful moment to assess which athletes are on track to claim baseball's most prestigious individual accolades.