Best Players to Never Win MVP by NUT: Mel Ott Leads at +78.2
Who Is the Best Player Never to Win MVP?
Mel Ott is the best player never to win an MVP, at +78.2 career NUT for the New York Giants from 1927 to 1945. He ranks 12th among all hitters who played in 1931 or later, and all 11 ahead of him won the award at least once. Values are as of November 10, 2026, before the 2026 MVPs are announced on November 12.
NUT is one number for production against league average, built on the advanced hitting and pitching stats analysts trust, not batting average or ERA. Defense is left out. Career NUT adds up every season, each graded against its own league, so a 1930s hitter and a 2000s hitter sit on one scale.
The writers’ MVP began in 1931, so the pool is every player with a season in 1931 or later. Players who won the league awards of the 1920s count as winners: Babe Ruth (1923), Dazzy Vance (1924), Rogers Hornsby (1925, 1929), Paul Waner (1927) and Jim Bottomley (1928). Careers that ended before 1931 are left out, since the award existed only in 1911–14 and 1922–29.
Top 25 Hitters Who Never Won MVP
Career NUT and grade, with the player’s main club and position, his best season and his rank among all 5,625 hitters since 1931. Four of the top 25 never won: Ott, Ramirez, Thome and Helton.
Two designated hitters make the top 12, David Ortiz and Edgar Martinez. NUT counts only what a player did at the plate, so a DH is not marked down for missing defense. Compare these careers with the all-time career leaders.
Top 10 Pitchers Who Never Won MVP
Pitchers are graded on their own career scale. 18 of the top 25 pitchers since 1931 never won an MVP, and 7 of those never won a Cy Young either: Nolan Ryan, Curt Schilling, Bert Blyleven, Kevin Brown, Mike Mussina, Don Sutton and Paul Derringer.
The pitchers who did win an MVP include Roger Clemens (+62.6, #1 all-time) and Clayton Kershaw (+41.7, #7).
Jeter, Gwynn and the Names Other Lists Pick
Lists of the best players never to win an MVP often lead with Derek Jeter, Tony Gwynn, Mike Piazza or Eddie Murray. By career NUT, all four are below the top 20.
Best Active Players Without an MVP
Juan Soto leads active hitters without an MVP at +37.5 career NUT. Yordan Alvarez is an AL MVP finalist this year, and he comes off this list if he wins on November 12. See the 2026 MVP race by NUTfor this year’s finalists.
How often voters have matched NUT since 1931 is in MVP and Cy Young voting history vs NUT, and the best single years are in the best seasons in MLB history.
MVP, Cy Young and every 2026 award winner, graded by NUT. Free.
Plus the winter’s signings and trades. Next: Mon, Nov 16.
Quick Answers
Who is the best MLB player to never win an MVP?
Mel Ott, at +78.2 career NUT for the Giants from 1927 to 1945. He ranks 12th among all hitters since 1931, and all 11 ahead of him won at least one MVP.
Did Babe Ruth ever win an MVP?
Yes, the 1923 American League award. The writers’ MVP began in 1931, near the end of his career, so 1923 is his only one.
Did Derek Jeter ever win an MVP?
No. His career NUT is +31.3, #62 among hitters who never won. NUT leaves out defense, so it measures only his bat.
Who is the best active player without an MVP?
Juan Soto, at +37.5 career NUT through 2026, #35 among hitters who never won.
Who is the best pitcher never to win an MVP?
Greg Maddux, at +55.7 career NUT. He won 4 Cy Youngs. Roger Clemens (+62.6) is the only pitcher above him, and Clemens won the 1986 AL MVP.