Houston Astros star Yordan Alvarez won the 2026 Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award on Wednesday night, becoming the first player in franchise history to receive the honor.
Breaking Ohtani’s Streak
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani had previously won the award in each of the past five years to tie a Major League Baseball record. Alvarez officially ended that streak following a standout 2026 campaign that also positioned him as a finalist for the American League MVP.
During the regular season, Alvarez claimed the first batting title of his career by hitting a league-leading .316. He also recorded a .432 on-base percentage and a 1.033 OPS, both of which stood as the best marks across the majors.
A Stellar 2026 Campaign
Across 158 games, the 29-year-old outfielder and designated hitter accumulated 34 doubles, 42 home runs, 106 RBIs, and 109 walks. This dominant output followed a challenging 2025 season where hand and ankle injuries restricted him to just 48 games played.
In addition to the designated hitter honor, Alvarez collected several other accolades on Wednesday evening. He was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year, received the Hank Aaron Award recognizing him as the top offensive performer in the AL, and earned a spot on the All-MLB first-team.
