There's only been a little more than two weeks worth of regular season games in the books, but that won't stop thoughts of compiling and ranking the current MVP candidates in mid-April. The MVP races are in no means a reflection of what's to come by the end of September, but fans can dream all they like.
Fans are excited to see what possible star has not only increased their team's postseason equity weeks into the season, but has also propelled themselves into early MVP considerations in the short time so far. Some MVP winners of the past started out the gate on fire and carried that through the regular season, while others continue to build that resume as the long season wears on.
MLB.com's Andrew Simon and Manny Randhawa put together a list of the top names who have put up early MVP numbers. One thing was noticeable on the list, and that was the missing name of the Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber.
MLB.com somehow leaves Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber off early MVP list
Of the 11 names listed for both the NL and AL, Schwarber was surprisingly left off, despite his impressive start to 2025. A start that has apparently been overlooked. Here's the list so far of top-MVP candidates, excluding last year's top-five finishers and winners:
- Kyle Tucker, RF, Cubs (1.130 OPS)
- Corbin Carroll, RF, D-backs (1.164 OPS)
- Jackson Merrill, CF, Padres (1.091 OPS)
- Riley Greene, LF, Tigers (.851 OPS)
- Alex Bregman, 3B, Red Sox (.813 OPS)
- Matt Chapman, 3B, Giants (.713 OPS)
- Fernando Tatis Jr., RF, Padres (.965 OPS)
- Anthony Volpe, SS, Yankees (.874 OPS)
- Wilyer Abreu, RF, Red Sox (1.203 OPS)
- Tyler Soderstrom, 1B, Athletics (1.197 OPS)
- Lars Nootbaar, LF, Cardinals (.803 OPS)
In 12 games played so far heading into Friday’s matchup, Schwarber has a slash line of .283/.411/.739, good for a 1.150 OPS. That impressive OPS ranks as the fifth-best in MLB and his accumulated 0.9 bWAR is tied for ninth-best with trending MVP candidate Kyle Tucker. Schwarber launched his sixth home run in Thursday night's contest against the Atlanta Braves, tying him with home run king Aaron Judge for the current MLB lead.
FORE! pic.twitter.com/ftFlDZvyHI
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 10, 2025
Schwarber has gotten MVP votes each of the last three years he's been a Phillie — 16th, 19th and 15th. He doesn't look to be slowing down and will look to add onto that in 2025 with possibly another All-Star appearance and even a top MVP finish by year's end.
An extra boost for the Phillies' reigning home run king is that he's playing for a new contract this season, as his initial four-year deal is set to expire after the 2025 campaign. According to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, the Phillies and Schwarber have expressed interest in a new deal, so there's still a chance of that getting done and keeping the 32-year-old in Philadelphia as long as possible.
Schwarber has been everything the team could have asked for and then some when they brought him in to start their postseason chase in 2022. He's been an effortless leader for this club and defines what it means to be an all-time Phillies great. He may not have gotten as much MVP love in the past, but if he continues to put up the early MVP numbers he's showing now, he won't be denied much longer.