Escotto named CBL MVP after historic season.

Written by Evan Frederiksen/ Photos by Matt Hiscox & Mason Dawdy

Maikol Escotto’s first season with the London Majors was nothing short of remarkable.

After making the jump to the Canadian Baseball League for the 2026 season, Escotto quickly established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive threats, and his historic campaign has been capped off with the CBL’s Most Valuable Player award.

The 24-year-old shortstop was a major part of London’s record-setting offence throughout the season, finishing among the league leaders in several major offensive categories. Escotto finished the regular season with 86 hits, 16 home runs and a .396 batting average, while also establishing himself as one of the most consistent hitters in the Majors’ lineup. His slugging percentage and OPS were also among the highest in the CBL, as Escotto finished with a .677 SLG and 1.097 OPS. To put up those kinds of numbers while playing in one of the league’s deepest ballparks makes his MVP season even more special.

His production was evident from the opening weeks of the season. Over the course of two games on May 29 and 30, Escotto recorded eight hits in 10 at-bats against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Welland Jackfish, giving London fans an early glimpse of what was to come. He later put together a five-hit, four-RBI performance against the Kitchener Panthers in June and continued to produce throughout the summer.

One of Escotto’s biggest hits, however, came against the Hamilton Cardinals in August, when he delivered a late two-run home run to give London a 4-3 victory. Later that month, he made CBL history by recording his 82nd hit of the season, surpassing former Major Ryan Lapensee’s previous league record. But he wasn’t finished there.

Escotto also broke London’s single-season home run record, launching his 16th home run of the season to surpass the previous mark held by Robert Mullen and Cleveland Brownlee. He also earned a spot in the CBL All-Star Game, adding another accomplishment to what had already become a historic first season in London.

Escotto’s impact went beyond his numbers, too. He became one of the leaders of a London lineup that finished first in the CBL in home runs and team OPS, while helping the Majors finish the regular season with a 31-17 record and the No. 2 seed in the league.

For Escotto, the MVP award also puts his name alongside one of the most recognizable players in London Majors history. The last time a London player won a league MVP award was in 1975, when Mike “Killer” Kilkenny took home the League’s top individual honour. Kilkenny went 9-0 during the 1975 season while setting a club record with 129 strikeouts, helping lead London to a league championship.

Now, more than five decades later, another London Major has reached the top. Escotto’s MVP season not only adds another major individual accomplishment to his first year in London, but also places him in a special part of Majors history alongside Kilkenny.

From setting records at the plate to earning All-Star recognition, Escotto’s 2026 campaign was one that London fans won’t ever forget. His season has ended with a fitting final chapter: Maikol Escotto is the Canadian Baseball League’s Most Valuable Player.