An MLB Poll Has Him Leading the Race—Outshining Even Ohtani! But Is the Hype Real?

Baseball fans and analysts alike are buzzing over the latest MLB MVP projections for the 2025 season. According to an early-season MLB poll, one name is standing above the rest—Juan Soto. The superstar outfielder, now in his prime, has reportedly surpassed even Shohei Ohtani as the most likely candidate to take home the prestigious MVP award.

But is this hype justified, or are we witnessing the most controversial MVP debate in years? Could Soto’s dominance at the plate be enough to outshine Ohtani’s two-way brilliance, or is this a premature crowning of baseball’s next great king?

Let’s break down why Juan Soto is leading the MVP conversation, whether he truly deserves the title, and what could stand in his way.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Why Juan Soto Leads the MVP Race

Soto’s Batting Dominance in 2025

Since his MLB debut in 2018, Juan Soto has been widely recognized as one of the most disciplined and dangerous hitters in baseball. His ability to control the strike zone, generate power, and get on base has drawn comparisons to legends like Ted Williams and Barry Bonds.

But in 2025, he has taken his game to an entirely new level.

Soto’s 2025 Stats (Through the First Half of the Season):

Batting Average: .340
On-Base Percentage (OBP): .470
Slugging Percentage (SLG): .640
OPS (On-Base + Slugging): 1.110
Home Runs: 28
RBIs: 78
WAR (Wins Above Replacement): 6.4

These are MVP-caliber numbers, and they put him ahead of Ohtani and every other superstar in the league in almost every offensive category.

But stats alone don’t tell the full story of why Soto is now the front-runner for MVP.

The Key Factors Behind Soto’s Dominance

1. The Perfect Blend of Power and Patience

Soto isn’t just a home-run hitter—he’s an elite on-base machine. His .470 OBP in 2025 is not just the best in the league; it’s on pace to be one of the highest marks of the last two decades.

His ability to draw walks while still hitting for power makes him one of the toughest outs in all of baseball. Pitchers simply can’t figure him out—if they throw inside the zone, he crushes the ball. If they pitch around him, he’s happy to take the walk and let his teammates drive him in.

2. Soto’s Clutch Factor: Delivering When It Matters Most

MVP voters love players who come through in big moments, and in 2025, Soto has been the definition of clutch.

Game-winning home runs in multiple key matchups.
Highest batting average with runners in scoring position in the MLB.
Walk-off performances that send stadiums into a frenzy.

Unlike some stat-padding superstars, Soto’s numbers actually translate to game-winning moments.

3. The Team Factor: Soto Is Carrying His Squad

Unlike Ohtani, Aaron Judge, or Ronald Acuña Jr., Soto is putting up MVP numbers while leading a team that wasn’t expected to be a contender.

In 2025, his squad has surged into playoff contention, and it’s largely because of his leadership and offensive dominance. Voters often take team success into account, and Soto has delivered on that front.

But with all of this going in his favor, why is his MVP case still being debated?

The MVP Controversy: Can Soto Really Beat Shohei Ohtani?

Why Some Say Ohtani Still Deserves the MVP

Shohei Ohtani is not just competing with Juan Soto—he’s competing with history itself. The two-way phenom is still doing what no other player in baseball can:

Dominating as a hitter.
Excelling as a starting pitcher.

Even though Soto has the best offensive numbers, Ohtani still brings more total value because of his ability to impact games in two different ways.

Here’s how their numbers compare in 2025:

Soto vs. Ohtani (2025 Midseason Comparison)

Category
Juan Soto
Shohei Ohtani

Batting Average
.340
.295

Home Runs
28
26

RBIs
78
74

On-Base Percentage (OBP)
.470
.400

Slugging Percentage (SLG)
.640
.610

OPS
1.110
1.010

WAR (Batting)
6.4
5.8

WAR (Pitching)
N/A
3.5

While Soto has the clear offensive edge, Ohtani adds nearly four extra WAR as a pitcher—something no other player in history can match.

The Key Argument: Should a Two-Way Star Automatically Win MVP?

This is where the debate gets heated.

Some believe that Ohtani’s unique skill set makes him the automatic MVP every year he plays well. After all, no one else can pitch and hit at an elite level.

But others argue that MVP should go to the most outstanding player in a given season, regardless of history.

If Soto is simply the best hitter in baseball, shouldn’t he get the award—even if Ohtani is still great?

That’s the question voters will have to answer.

Will Juan Soto Win MVP in 2025?

What Could Stand in His Way?

Even though Soto is currently the MVP front-runner, a lot can still happen before the end of the season.

Here are three potential roadblocks that could derail his MVP campaign:

An Ohtani Hot Streak – If Ohtani goes on a historic run in the second half, voters may find it impossible to ignore his two-way dominance.
Soto’s Team Fading – If Soto’s squad misses the playoffs, it could hurt his MVP case—especially if Ohtani’s team stays in contention.
A Late-Season Slump – Baseball is a long season, and if Soto cools off, other candidates like Ronald Acuña Jr. or Mookie Betts could close the gap.

Final Prediction: Does Soto Have What It Takes?

Right now, Soto is playing at an MVP level.

He’s the most dominant hitter in baseball.
He’s carrying his team to unexpected success.
He’s outshining even Ohtani at the plate.

But history and voting trends favor Ohtani—meaning this MVP race is far from over.

If Soto keeps up his historic pace, he could force voters to break the Ohtani cycle and crown a new MVP king.

But if Ohtani continues to defy baseball logic, it may take a truly legendary season for anyone to dethrone him.

So, is the hype real?

Right now, the answer is yes.

But in baseball, nothing is certain until the final pitch is thrown.