The Houston Astros' designated hitter and left fielder, Yordan Álvarez, has secured two of the most esteemed accolades in professional baseball. The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has named him the American League's Most Outstanding Player and the AL Comeback Player of the Year in the 2026 Players Choice Awards.
What sets these awards apart is the source of the votes: not journalists or executives, but rather active MLB players who cast their votes in clubhouses each September, with KPMG overseeing the process.
In the Most Outstanding Player category, the 29-year-old from Las Tunas outperformed Junior Caminero of Tampa Bay and Bobby Witt Jr. of Kansas City. For Comeback Player of the Year, he surpassed Gerrit Cole from the Yankees and Mike Trout of the Angels, as reported by KPRC Click2Houston.
The statistics backing Álvarez's dual awards are undeniable: a .316 batting average, 42 home runs, 106 RBIs, 105 runs, 109 walks, and an OPS of 1.033 over 158 games.
Álvarez clinched the American League batting title and led all of MLB, becoming the third Astro to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of Yuli Gurriel (2021) and José Altuve (2014, 2016-17). He also led the AL in OPS, slugging percentage (.601), on-base percentage (.432), total bases (341), intentional walks (33), wRC+ (181), and extra-base hits (77).
Remarkably, he is only the third player since 1970 to win the AL batting title with 40 or more home runs, joining a select group that includes Aaron Judge (2025) and Miguel Cabrera (2012-13).
The context of his comeback adds even more weight to his recognition. In 2025, Álvarez was limited to just 48 games due to injuries—a fractured right hand and a severe left ankle sprain—that left him with only six home runs and 27 RBIs for the season. His return in 2026 was nothing short of explosive, as he led the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs for much of the summer, positioning himself as a Triple Crown contender.
With the MLBPA's Comeback Player of the Year award, Álvarez becomes the second Astro to receive this honor, following Justin Verlander in 2022. As for the Most Outstanding Player award, he is the third in Astros history, after Jeff Bagwell (1994) and Altuve (2016-17).
The overall MLB Player of the Year award went to Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs, who also claimed the National League's Most Outstanding Player honor after a season boasting 45 home runs and 41 stolen bases.
In terms of Cuban baseball history, Álvarez is the fourth player born on the island to win a batting title in MLB, joining the ranks of Tony Oliva, Yuli Gurriel, and Yandy Díaz. This year marked a record with at least 29 Cuban players participating in Major League games, with seven making it to the All-Star Game.
Just last week, Álvarez received the Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year award, also voted on by players from both leagues, making this his second accolade of the week.
The next major award on the horizon is the official American League MVP, presented by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA), and set to be announced on November 12. Álvarez is considered a leading contender, though the award has yet to be decided.
Yordan Álvarez's Remarkable Achievements
What awards did Yordan Álvarez win in 2026?
Yordan Álvarez won the American League's Most Outstanding Player and the Comeback Player of the Year awards at the 2026 Players Choice Awards.
Who voted for the Players Choice Awards?
The Players Choice Awards are voted on by active Major League Baseball players, with the voting process managed by KPMG.
How did Álvarez perform statistically in 2026?
In 2026, Yordan Álvarez posted a .316 batting average, hit 42 home runs, drove in 106 runs, scored 105 runs, walked 109 times, and had an OPS of 1.033 over 158 games.
What is the significance of Álvarez's comeback in 2026?
Álvarez's 2026 comeback is significant because he returned stronger after a 2025 season plagued by injuries, making a remarkable impact and leading in key statistical categories.