2025 MLB Awards: Unexpected Finalists Shake Up the Race—Find Out Who’s Leading the Pack!
As the dust settles on the 2025 MLB season, teams are already plotting their path to a stronger 2026 campaign—but before diving into the future, let’s hit pause to savor the incredible performances that lit up the diamond this year. Last month, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) cast their votes, setting the stage for the upcoming awards showdowns that honor the outstanding feats from both the National and American Leagues. The AL MVP race is particularly riveting, with Cal Raleigh’s remarkable breakthrough challenging Aaron Judge’s unwavering dominance. On the NL side, Shohei Ohtani remains the frontrunner—yet questions linger: could anyone dethrone him? And what about Paul Skenes aiming for a unanimous Cy Young nod, or Tarik Skubal chasing repeat glory? While Nick Kurtz looks poised to claim AL Rookie of the Year without much contest, the National League’s rookie honors present a tighter battle, with Cade Horton and Blake Baldwin in close pursuit. Stick around, because below, I’m breaking down all the essentials: from MVPs to Cy Youngs, Rookies of the Year, and Managers of the Year—the full scoop on who’s in the mix and what’s at stake. LEARN MORE
MLB teams are already shifting their attention to how they can improve going into 2026, but before we look ahead, it’s time to celebrate some of the amazing seasons we just witnessed.
After members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) submitted their ballots last month, individual hardware is about to be handed out for the National and American Leagues in recognition of accomplishments during the 2025 MLB regular season.
The American League features an intriguing MVP showdown pitting Cal Raleigh‘s historic season against Aaron Judge‘s continued brilliance. In the National League, Shohei Ohtani remains the obvious favorite, but can anyone challenge him? Will Paul Skenes be a unanimous Cy Young Award winner, and can Tarik Skubal repeat? Nick Kurtz is likely a runaway winner for AL Rookie of the Year, but things are tighter in the National League, with Cubs right-hander Cade Horton and Braves catcher Blake Baldwin in the mix.
Below you’ll find everything you need to know about the Most Valuable Player Award, the Cy Young Award, the Rookie of the Year Award, and the Manager of the Year Award.
Stars like Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, and Cody Bellinger join headliners Kyle Tucker, Dylan Cease, and Bo Bichette in a 2025–26 MLB free agent class loaded with impact bats and arms.
👉 Don’t forget: Check out the Rotoworld player news feed for all the latest news, rumors, and transactions as MLB’s Hot Stove gets underway!
▶ What is the MLB Awards schedule?
The announcements of the winners for the National League and American League breaks down as follows:
- Monday, November 10: Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards
- Tuesday, November 11: Manager of the Year Awards
- Wednesday, November 12: Cy Young Awards
- Thursday, November 13: MVP Awards
▶ Who are the finalists for the 2025 MLB Awards?
AL MVP Award finalists
Aaron Judge (Yankees), Cal Raleigh (Mariners), José Ramírez (Guardians)
NL MVP Award finalists
Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers), Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Juan Soto (Mets)
AL Cy Young Award finalists
Tarik Skubal (Tigers), Hunter Brown (Astros), Garrett Crochet (Red Sox)
NL Cy Young Award finalists
Cristopher Sánchez (Phillies), Paul Skenes (Pirates), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers)
AL Rookie of the Year finalists
Nick Kurtz (Athletics), Roman Anthony (Red Sox), Jacob Wilson (Athletics)
NL Rookie of the Year finalists
Drake Baldwin (Braves), Cade Horton (Cubs), Caleb Durbin (Brewers)
AL Manager of the Year finalists
Dan Wilson (Mariners), John Schneider (Blue Jays), Stephen Vogt (Guardians)
NL Manager of the Year finalists
Pat Murphy (Brewers), Terry Francona (Reds), Rob Thomson (Phillies)
▶ Who votes for the MLB Awards?
The awards are voted on by Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) members. The BBWAA consists of writers who cover MLB in a variety of capacities, ranging from national to local beat writers.
The deadline for voting was the day after the regular season, so postseason performance does not have an impact on the results.
▶ Where can I watch the MLB Awards announcements?
All of the award announcements will be broadcast next week on MLB Network at 6 p.m. ET.
After the announcements are made, full results (including those who opted to make their ballots public) can be found at BBWAA.com.
▶ Who are the past MLB Award winners?
National League MVP
2024 – Shohei Ohtani, DH, Dodgers
2023 – Ronald Acuña Jr., OF, Braves
2022 – Paul Goldschmidt 1B, Cardinals
2021 – Bryce Harper OF, Phillies
2020 – Freddie Freeman 1B, Braves
2019 – Cody Bellinger OF, Dodgers
American League MVP
2024 – Aaron Judge OF, Yankees
2023 – Shohei Ohtani DH/SP, Angels
2022 – Aaron Judge OF, Yankees
2021 – Shohei Ohtani DH/SP, Angels
2020 – José Abreu 1B, White Sox
2019 – Mike Trout OF, Angels
National League Cy Young Award
2024 – Chris Sale SP, Braves
2023 – Blake Snell SP, Padres
2022 – Sandy Alcantara SP, Marlins
2021 – Corbin Burnes SP, Brewers
2020 – Trevor Bauer SP, Reds
2019 – Jacob deGrom SP, Mets
American League Cy Young Award
2024 – Tarik Skubal SP, Tigers
2023 – Gerrit Cole SP, Yankees
2022 – Justin Verlander SP, Astros
2021 – Robbie Ray SP, Blue Jays
2020 – Shane Bieber SP, Cleveland
2019 – Justin Verlander SP, Astros
National League Rookie of the Year
2024 – Paul Skenes SP, Pirates
2023 – Corbin Carroll OF, Diamondbacks
2022 – Michael Harris II OF, Braves
2021 – Jonathan India 2B, Reds
2020 – Devin Williams RP, Brewers
2019 – Pete Alonso 1B, Mets
American League Rookie of the Year
2024 – Luis Gíl SP, Yankees
2023 – Gunnar Henderson INF, Orioles
2022 – Julio Rodriguez OF, Mariners
2021 – Randy Arozarena OF, Rays
2020 – Kyle Lewis OF, Mariners
2019 – Yordan Alvarez OF, Astros
National League Manager of the Year
2024 – Pat Murphy, Brewers
2023 – Skip Schumaker, Marlins
2022 – Buck Showalter, Mets
2021 – Gabe Kapler, Giants
2020 – Don Mattingly, Marlins
2019 – Mike Shildt, Cardinals
American League Manager of the Year
2024 – Stephen Vogt, Guardians
2023 – Brandon Hyde, Orioles
2022 – Terry Francona, Cleveland
2021 – Kevin Cash, Rays
2020 – Kevin Cash, Rays
2019 – Rocco Baldelli, Twins
CHECK OUT THE HOTTEST DEALS ON AMAZON!
NEW 2025-26 TOPPSBasketball Card BLASTER Box w/84 Cards, Bonus Custom Cooper Flagg Card Sized Print
$79.95 (as of November 4, 2025 00:02 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Trey Yesavage 2024 Bowman #BD-92 1st Rookie Card PGI 10
$59.99 (as of November 4, 2025 00:01 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
NEW 2025 PaniniPRIZM Baseball HOBBY Direct BLASTER Box, 30 Cards, 4 Ice Prizms, Red Ice Prizms!
$59.95 (as of November 4, 2025 00:01 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
NEW 2025 PaniniABSOLUTE Countdown to the Holidays Trading Card Calendar Box! Chance for Kabooms!
$139.95 (as of November 4, 2025 00:01 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Assorted Basketball Cards 100-Count (1980s to The Present) Plus 2 Memorabilia Cards - Verified Basketball Card Packs from Licensed Manufacturers and Brands – No Two Packs are The Same
$16.49 (as of November 4, 2025 00:02 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
2025 2026 Upper Deck M V P Hockey Series Unopened Retail 36 Pack Box with Chance for Rookies and Stars Plus #1 Draft Picks Cards and Exciting New Insert Sets
$79.99 (as of November 4, 2025 00:01 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
NEW 2025-26 TOPPSBasketball Card HOLIDAY MEGA Box w/100 Cards
$99.95 (as of November 4, 2025 00:01 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
2025 Panini Donruss Football Sealed Bundle Box (1 Oversized Downtown Card And 8 Packs Per Box)
$116.95 (as of November 4, 2025 00:01 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
2025 Topps Baseball Complete 705 Card Factory Sealed HOBBY Factory Set with (5) EXCLUSIVE FOILBOARDS #/417! Includes all Series 1 + 2 Cards Including Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge Bobby Witt Jr & More!
$89.95 (as of November 4, 2025 00:02 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
2025 Score Football Series Sealed Blaster Box with 24 Rookies Cards, 18 Insert Cards, a Blaster EXCLUSIVE Parallel and Chance For Rookie Signature Autographs Cam Ward Travis Hunter Jaxson Dart Plus
$34.99 (as of November 4, 2025 00:02 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Related Posts
Post Comment