Yordan Alvarez has added two significant honors to his remarkable 2026 season. The Houston Astros slugger was named the American League Outstanding Player and AL Comeback Player in the 2026 Players Choice Awards.
The Major League Baseball Players Association announced the winners Wednesday, October 28. Unlike awards determined by writers or statistical formulas, the Players Choice Awards are decided exclusively by active major-league players, who cast their ballots in September.
Alvarez Earns the Respect of His Peers
Alvarez defeated Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. for the AL Outstanding Player award. Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees and Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels were the other finalists for AL Comeback Player.
Alvarez was also one of three finalists for the overall Player of the Year award, joining Shohei Ohtani and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Crow-Armstrong won that honor after completing a 40-home run, 40-stolen base season.
Although Alvarez missed out on the overall award, winning two league honors from his fellow players reinforces his standing among the sport’s most respected hitters. The Players Choice Awards have recognized outstanding performance, leadership, and perseverance since 1992.
A Historic Return From an Injury-Ravaged Season
The Comeback Player award followed a dramatic turnaround from Alvarez’s injury-shortened 2025 season. He appeared in only 48 games after a right hand fracture sidelined him for 100 games and a left ankle sprain ended his season in September.
Alvarez returned in 2026 and played a career-high 158 games, including 134 as the Astros’ designated hitter. He batted .316 with a .432 on-base percentage, a .601 slugging percentage, 42 home runs, 106 RBIs, and a 1.033 OPS.
His batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage led the majors. Alvarez also drew 109 walks, including a major-league-high 33 intentional passes, as opposing teams repeatedly chose to avoid giving him an opportunity to do damage.
The .316 average earned Alvarez his first American League batting title. He became only the third player since 1970 to win an AL batting title while hitting at least 40 home runs, joining Miguel Cabrera and Aaron Judge.
Alvarez also established a career high in home runs, with his 42 tying for the fifth-highest single-season total in Astros history. His three grand slams raised his career total to seven, matching the franchise record.
MVP Decision Still Ahead
The Players Choice honors arrive before the Baseball Writers’ Association of America announces its 2026 award finalists. The finalists will be revealed Monday, November 2, from 5–7 p.m. CT on MLB Network.
Alvarez is widely expected to be among the three finalists for American League Most Valuable Player, but the finalists have not yet been announced. The winner will be revealed Thursday, November 12, at 6 p.m. CT on MLB Network.
Only two Astros have won a league MVP award: Jeff Bagwell in 1994 and Jose Altuve in 2017. Alvarez finished third in AL MVP voting in 2022 but enters this year’s announcement with a stronger statistical case and two fresh endorsements from the players who competed against him.
Whatever happens in the writers’ vote, Alvarez’s peers have already delivered their verdict. They viewed his 2026 season as both the American League’s best offensive performance and its most impressive comeback.
