Jeff Passan recently issued a unique set of awards to mark the halfway point of the 2026 season. While traditional honors like NL MVP for Shohei Ohtani are predictable, these unconventional categories celebrate the human side of the game. From Carter Jensen's alarm clock struggles to Malik Willis's wild first pitch, the awards highlight the unexpected narratives defining the year.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell earned recognition for a spectacular defensive feat, robbing three home runs in a single game. His performance included a viral moment where he flipped over the outfield wall into the stands to secure an out. This rare defensive production provided a massive boost to the Angels' momentum during an intense matchup against the Seattle Mariners.

Veteran Paul Goldschmidt remains a statistical outlier for the New York Yankees. At 38, he maintains an .894 OPS, outperforming every other player in his age bracket. His resurgence, fueled by injuries to Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, has solidified his role in the top of the batting order. Goldschmidt currently holds a significant advantage in power production compared to his recent seasons.