Ohtani among 20 Hank Aaron Award finalists as fan voting opens

MLB opened fan voting for the 2026 Hank Aaron Award on Monday, naming 10 finalists in each league. The honor recognizes the outstanding regular-season offensive performer in the American and National Leagues.

The ballot remains open through October 12 at 11:59 a.m. Eastern at MLB.com/aaron. The winners will be announced November 11 during the MLB Awards presentation in Las Vegas, scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern on MLB Network.

Shohei Ohtani, who has won a Hank Aaron Award in each of the past three seasons, is among the National League finalists. Athlon’s Monday report notes that his candidacy continues while the Dodgers are playing Atlanta in the Division Series. The award concerns regular-season offense, so the postseason result is a separate question.

The National League field includes CJ Abrams, Jake Bauers, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Elly De La Cruz, Ohtani, Matt Olson, Kyle Schwarber, Sal Stewart, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jordan Walker.

The American League finalists are Pete Alonso, Yordan Alvarez, Randy Arozarena, Junior Caminero, Willson Contreras, Yandy Díaz, Riley Greene, Ben Rice, Miguel Vargas and Bobby Witt Jr.

A committee of MLB.com journalists selected the finalists after reviewing the season’s offensive statistics and performances. Fans can vote from those lists, alongside a panel that includes former winners and other MLB legends. The announcement names Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, Albert Pujols and Ken Griffey Jr. among the panelists.

Monday’s news establishes the field and the voting window. It does not name a winner, and being a finalist should not be described as winning another postseason honor.

For fans following players across the playoff bracket, the distinction is useful: the games determine which teams advance, while this ballot evaluates the offensive work already completed during the regular season. The award decision will come in November.