Shohei Ohtani’s commanding early-season performance as the Dodgers’ two-way ace has solidified his status as the clear NL MVP frontrunner, with dominant pitching numbers including a sub-1.00 ERA across multiple starts and consistent offensive contributions that keep him in the middle of the lineup. Traders see this as a continuation of his recent MVP wins, where his dual-threat impact consistently outpaces traditional single-role candidates. Early momentum from his March-April Pitcher of the Month honors and the Dodgers’ strong start reinforce the market’s heavy tilt toward him, while challengers like Andy Pages and Elly De La Cruz show promise but lack the sustained narrative or historical precedent needed to close the gap. Key upcoming catalysts include June and July stat updates and any injury developments that could reshape the race.