The 2025 Main League Baseball season has arrived. We have already put collectively our team-wide predictions, from division winners to pennants to the World Series championship picks. It is now time to try to nail down the participant awards.
The enjoyable half concerning the awards is we’re certain to get a blended bag of chalk and shock. The MVPs final season had been Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, however the Cy Younger winners had been Tarik Skubal and a 35-year-old Chris Sale. Who had Luis Gil taking the AL Rookie of the Yr? Then once more, Paul Skenes on the Nationwide League facet wasn’t all too shocking.
Let’s get to it.
American League awards picks
R.J. Anderson: Gilbert is about as shut as I get to a real “shock” decide. Reality be instructed, I used to be going to go along with Garrett Crochet however I used to be apprehensive everybody else would decide him, too. Gilbert’s an above-average pitcher who will get to carry out in a pleasant ballpark. That is a very good pairing. I am going with Smith as Rookie of the Yr as a result of I believe he’ll get an prolonged alternative and he might take full benefit of the Crawford Bins. In any other case, I performed it protected right here.
Mike Axisa: I wished to go along with Mike Trout or Jacob deGrom for Comeback Participant of the Yr, however relying on guys of their 30s to remain wholesome after they have not stayed wholesome the previous few years is a tricky promote. Bichette is just 27, he was a prime performer between 2019 and 2023, and he performed by means of accidents final 12 months. It is not like his expertise collapsed. He is wholesome now and my Comeback Participant of the Yr decide. As for the opposite awards, I imply, these are fairly easy. Henderson is likely one of the finest gamers on the earth, Crochet had a reputable Cy Younger case most of final season, and Rocker has a transparent path to enjoying time. That is half the battle for Rookie of the Yr candidates.
Kate Feldman: I actually wished to go along with somebody daring for MVP and I suppose choosing Witt over Decide is a little bit of a sizzling take however you possibly can’t go mistaken there. deGrom seemed unbelievable in his three begins on the finish of 2024 on his manner again from elbow surgical procedure. If he can keep on the sector (an enormous if), the Cy Younger is his. Kristian Campbell is not even the top-ranked prospect in his personal group however let’s get nuts. Supervisor of the Yr and comeback participant awards haven’t any rhyme or motive. No matter.
Julian McWilliams: It is Witt’s world. He is the epitome of a five-tool participant who impacts profitable and had a breakout 12 months final season. Had it not been for Aaron Decide, Witt would have simply taken dwelling the AL MVP award. Crochet, Campbell, and Cora (sure it is Red Sox heavy) will take dwelling the crown(s) of their respective classes, turning issues round after what has been a stale half decade for the Sox. In the meantime, Torres, who had a stellar postseason with the Yankees final 12 months, will profit from a change of surroundings and a supervisor like A.J. Hinch.
Dayn Perry: I simply cannot deliver myself to foretell well being on the a part of Jacob deGrom, so as a substitute I predict well being on the a part of Mike Trout. It is doable I am being silly. The remainder of these alternatives are fairly apparent, if not indeniable.
Matt Snyder: Witt may be the most effective all-around place participant in baseball and he is nonetheless solely scratched the floor. I’ve acquired the Royals profitable the AL Central, which implies he’ll have additional narrative on his facet. Ragans was comparatively quiet final 12 months and nonetheless completed fourth in Cy Younger voting. He is liable to get to 200 innings with 250 strikeouts this time round. I’ve the Crimson Sox profitable the AL East and if that occurs, Cora takes the Supervisor award.
Nationwide League awards picks
Anderson: Now that Chris Sale has a Cy, it is time for Wheeler to get his. Elsewhere, I believe Chandler will proceed the current custom of stud Pirates rookie right-handers. I am by no means positive what, precisely, qualifies a participant for comeback consideration. Ray has been restricted to single-digit appearances during the last two seasons, nonetheless, and so I believe that is sufficient justification to offer him the nod.
Axisa: For my cash, Wheeler is the most effective pitcher in baseball, and he’ll get his lifetime achievement Cy Younger this 12 months. Ohtani is unbelievable and I’ll proceed choosing him to win MVP till he stops profitable MVPs. The Dodgers will handle Sasaki’s workload in such a manner that opens the door for Shaw to take dwelling Rookie of the Yr. Strider as Comeback Participant of the Yr is a straightforward decide, particularly with a) how he seemed in his spring debut, and b) Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return date hold getting pushed again.
Feldman: I’ve mentioned it elsewhere and I will hold saying it however I am all in on Juan Soto this 12 months. I initially had Shohei Ohtani down for Cy Younger (and I would not be stunned if that is the end result) however Paul Skenes was so sensible final 12 months and I’ve to imagine there are fewer restrictions on him this season. He would possibly already be the most effective pitcher in baseball. Roki Sasaki might be going to be the precise NL Rookie of the Yr however I nonetheless preserve that NPB gamers should not qualify after their degree {of professional} expertise, so I am going with Dylan Crews. Supervisor of the Yr and comeback participant awards haven’t any rhyme or motive. No matter.
McWilliams: At this level, how might you guess towards Ohtani after he received the award final season as a DH? Wheeler will win the Cy Younger Award, anchoring a rotation that’s thought of by many to be the most effective in baseball. And a rejuvenated Terry Francona will get probably the most out of a Reds membership that has a few of the finest younger expertise within the recreation.
Perry: Ohtani’s return to the mound paired with what I anticipate will probably be classic manufacturing on the plate (possibly with out all of the steals, for functions of fatigue administration) means he’ll win his third straight MVP award. Skenes will take the following step towards turning into the most effective pitcher in baseball for years to come back. Sasaki’s workload will not be excessive, however he’ll thrive on a charge foundation.
Snyder: I understand choosing Tucker over Ohtani and Soto means I’ve seemingly already misplaced, however Tucker posted 4.7 WAR final 12 months in lower than a half season and he is now in a contract 12 months for a workforce I anticipate to win the division for the primary time in a full 12 months since 2017. I agree on the above feedback on Wheeler and he was really the primary award I crammed in out of this whole train. It is his time. On Lawlar, I wished to seize a participant considerably off the board however who additionally has an opportunity to make noise for a contender.
(All odds by way of DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 26)
2025 American League MVP odds
- Aaron Decide, Yankees: +310
- Bobby Witt Jr., Royals: +450
- Yordan Alvarez, Astros: +600
- Gunnar Henderson, Orioles: +750
2025 American League Cy Younger odds
- Tarik Skubal, Tigers: +380
- Garrett Crochet, Crimson Sox: +450
- Cole Ragans, Royals: +1000
- Logan Gilbert, Mariners: +1100
2025 Nationwide League MVP odds
- Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers: +170
- Juan Soto, Mets: +550
- Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres: +800
- Mookie Betts, Dodgers: +1200
2025 Nationwide League Cy Younger odds
- Paul Skenes, Pirates: +300
- Zack Wheeler, Phillies: +750
- Chris Sale, Braves: +800
- Blake Snell, Dodgers: +1000
