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The 2026 MLB season is through six weeks. This is the time when players break out of early-season slumps. Certain players are continuing their outstanding production. This is what sets baseball apart from every other sport. Entering week seven, here are the top 10 shortstop rankings in MLB.

MORE: Top MLB prospect rumored to be making his debut on Friday

1. Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds

De La Cruz is on the verge of becoming a superstar. He is again displaying his combination of size, power, and speed. He is the driving force behind Cincinnati’s success.

2. CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals

Abrams is off to a blistering start to the season. He’s set the pace to reach 19 home runs and 30 stolen bases for a third consecutive season. Entering the week, he leads MLB shortstops in slugging percentage.

3. Colston Montgomery, Chicago White Sox

Chicago’s future looks bright with Colson Montgomery as the centerpiece of the franchise. Last season, he showed his potential during his call-up at the end of the year. He hasn’t skipped a beat in 2026.

4. Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers

The rookie is off to a fantastic start. He hasn’t tapped into his potential, but he continues to excel in contact. Entering the week, McGonigle is in the top five, among MLB shortstops, in hits.

5. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

Witt Jr. has started the season with the longest home run drought of his career. However, he’s hitting the ball with authority, posting a high OBP, and stealing bases. By season’s end, Bobby Witt Jr. will be the number one MLB shortstop.

6. Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles

Henderson is selling out for power. His start to the season has him among the league’s shortstop leaders in home runs, causing his average and OBP to take a hit. As the season progresses, Henderson’s slash line will improve.

7. Otto Lopez, Miami Marlins

Lopez’s start has aided in the Marlins being near the top of the NL East. He’s making great contact and reaching base at a high rate. Continued production could lead to an NL All-Star appearance.

8. Carlos Correa, Houston Astros

The veteran has given Houston the leeway to miss its starting shortstop. He’s been making great contact. When Jeremy Pena returns, Correa will shift back to third base.

9. Corey Seager, Texas Rangers

The veteran is locked in for the NL West-leading Rangers. Seager has done early damage via the long ball. Health is the only thing preventing Seager from finishing the season as a top ten shortstop.

10. Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs

The veteran is streaky, and Swanson is locked in. He’s helped the Cubs to the top of the NL Central. He’s streaky, but he’s on a hot stretch.

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Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Mikel Arteta have all shared their thoughts on a ‘special’ atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

The Arsenal fans were certainly up for Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final second leg match against Atletico Madrid, with thousands of supporters turning up hours before kick-off to welcome the team buses, lining the streets in a parade.

That atmosphere carried through to the stands, with fans chanting as loudly as they do during a game even 15 minutes prior to the start of the match.

Then, when the game finally got underway, goalscorer Bukayo Saka says the supporters pushed the team the whole way through to the end.

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

“We felt it,” Saka said to CBS Sports. “Since we were on the coach, I’ve never seen the Emirates like this in my whole career. I’ve played so many games here. It was so special.

“When the game started, they pushed us, from the start to the end. It was just a beautiful moment, this is probably the biggest game the Emirates has ever hosted, and it was a successful one.

“All the fans that were here will go home and remember this night forever. So yeah, we can all be happy with that.”

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Club captain Martin Odegaard agreed with that assessment, suggesting the stadium was ‘on fire’ with the atmosphere the fans created, ultimately leading to a 1-0 win and progression to the final.

“Unbelievable, such a special night, such an amazing moment for the team, for the club, for our supporters, for everyone,” Odegaard told Sky Sports.

“It was beautiful, and we’ve been working hard towards this type of moment. We said that we wanted to go further than last year, and we did it.

“It was such a beautiful night. The stadium was on fire. Playing a Champions League final is unbelievable and something we all have been dreaming about our whole lives.”

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Manager Mikel Arteta was also delighted with what he saw from the supporters, telling the media as much both before and after the game.

“I’ve never seen an atmosphere like this when we were about to enter the stadium. Great to see,” Arteta said to Prime Video before the game, before adding afterwards: “The manner that we got to see outside the stadium was special and unique.

“The atmosphere that our supporters created, the energy, the way they lived every ball with us, it made it special and unique. I never felt that in the stadium. We knew how much it meant to everybody. We put everything in, the boys did an incredible job.”

Everyone had a part to play to see Arsenal through to their first Champions League final in 20 years, and everyone was up to the task. The fans can now start dreaming about Budapest.

A number of Premier League clubs are weighing up a summer approach for Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao.

Juventus are preparing for an overhaul of their squad this summer with the Bianconeri 17 points adrift of champions Inter Milan in Serie A.

The Old Lady are plotting mass changes to their squad and Premier League clubs are contemplating proposals for members of Max Allegri’s squad, particularly in the event that Juventus miss out on Champions League qualification.

The Italian side are fourth at present, but only a point above AS Roma. Alongside central defender Bremer and midfielder Khéphren Thuram, Gazzetto dello Sport are reporting that Conceicao is of interest to English teams.

The Portugal international has scored three goals and provided four assists in Serie A this season, from 24 league starts.

He ranks highly on several attacking metrics, including in the top 10% of European wingers for progressive carries, successful dribbles and key passes.

Chelsea are understood to have a long-standing interest in the 23-year-old, while Liverpool are on the lookout for a right-winger to replace Mohamed Salah. Conceicao, as a left footer who favours playing from the right, could fit the profile sought.

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The National League MVP race is already delivering plenty of excitement in the early stages of the 2026 MLB season, with a mix of global superstars, dynamic young talents, and veteran sluggers dominating headlines across the league. MLB.com’s latest MVP poll showcases just how competitive the NL has become, as several players are putting together performances capable of defining an entire season. From power hitters carrying playoff contenders to electrifying all-around athletes changing games in multiple ways, the race remains wide open heading into the heart of the schedule.

Leading the conversation once again is Shohei Ohtani, whose impact continues to transcend traditional baseball standards. Close behind him is Elly De La Cruz, one of the sport’s most electrifying young stars, while Matt Olson has continued to provide Atlanta with elite power production. Corbin Carroll’s speed and offensive explosiveness have helped fuel Arizona’s attack, and Nico Hoerner’s consistency has quietly turned him into one of the National League’s most valuable all-around contributors.

RELATED: MLB American League MVP race leaders

What makes this MVP race especially fascinating is the contrast in playing styles among the contenders. Some players dominate through overwhelming power, while others create value with speed, defense, versatility, and timely hitting. As teams begin separating themselves in the standings, every standout performance will carry even more weight in the MVP discussion. If the first few months are any indication, the National League race could remain one of baseball’s most compelling storylines all season long.

1. Shohei Ohtani — Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani continues to redefine greatness in baseball and remains the clear centerpiece of the National League MVP race. Even among a loaded Dodgers roster filled with stars, Ohtani consistently stands out with his elite power, plate discipline, and ability to deliver game-changing moments. Every at-bat feels like must-watch baseball because of the sheer damage he can inflict on opposing pitchers.

Beyond the numbers, Ohtani’s presence alone changes the energy of the Dodgers lineup. He has embraced the pressure of playing in Los Angeles while continuing to perform at an MVP-caliber level on the sport’s biggest stage. As long as he maintains this production, he will remain the player everyone else in the National League is chasing.

2. Elly De La Cruz — Cincinnati Reds

Elly De La Cruz has become one of baseball’s most electrifying stars thanks to his rare blend of speed, power, and athleticism. The Reds shortstop creates chaos every time he steps onto the field, whether it is with a towering home run, a stolen base, or a highlight-reel defensive play. Few players in the game can impact a contest in as many ways as De La Cruz.

What has elevated his MVP candidacy this season is his growing consistency at the plate. While his raw talent has never been questioned, he now looks more composed and disciplined against major league pitching. If Cincinnati continues to stay competitive in the playoff race, De La Cruz’s exciting style and production will keep him firmly in the MVP spotlight.

3. Matt Olson — Atlanta Braves

Matt Olson remains one of the premier power hitters in baseball and a critical force in the Braves’ lineup. His ability to consistently drive the ball out of the park has once again made him one of the league’s most feared middle-of-the-order bats. Olson’s power production has helped Atlanta maintain one of the most dangerous offenses in baseball.

In addition to his home-run totals, Olson continues to provide steady run production and reliable defense at first base. He has become one of the Braves’ most dependable players during key stretches of the season. With Atlanta expected to remain among the NL contenders all year, Olson’s contributions will continue to strengthen his MVP case.

RELATED: MLB home run leaders by the start of May

4. Corbin Carroll — Arizona Diamondbacks

Corbin Carroll continues to prove why he is one of the brightest young stars in Major League Baseball. His elite speed, aggressive baserunning, and improving offensive approach have made him a constant threat at the top of Arizona’s lineup. Carroll’s energy and athleticism consistently provide momentum for the Diamondbacks offense.

What makes Carroll especially valuable is his ability to impact games beyond the batter’s box. He covers tremendous ground defensively and regularly turns singles into doubles with his speed and instincts. As Arizona pushes to remain competitive in a tough National League landscape, Carroll’s all-around brilliance has made him indispensable.

5. Nico Hoerner — Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner may not always receive the same national attention as some of the league’s bigger stars, but his overall value to the Cubs cannot be overlooked. He has quietly developed into one of baseball’s most reliable table-setters thanks to his contact hitting, defensive versatility, and baseball intelligence. Hoerner consistently finds ways to contribute without needing overwhelming power numbers.

His consistency has become a major stabilizing force for Chicago’s lineup throughout the season. Whether it is delivering timely hits, making difficult defensive plays, or creating scoring opportunities with his speed, Hoerner impacts winning baseball in countless ways. If the Cubs remain firmly in postseason contention, his all-around contributions will continue earning serious MVP consideration.

Conclusion

The National League MVP race features an impressive mix of superstar power, rising talent, and complete all-around players. Shohei Ohtani currently leads the conversation, but challengers like Elly De La Cruz, Matt Olson, Corbin Carroll, and Nico Hoerner continue to make strong cases of their own. With several months left in the season, the battle for NL MVP is shaping up to be one of baseball’s most exciting storylines in 2026.