The 2025 Major League Baseball season has arrived. We’ve already compiled predictions for the entire team. Division winners To the pennant World Series Championship Pick. Now is the time to try and delete your Player Awards.
The fun part of the award is getting a mixed bag of chalk and shock. Last season’s MVPS was Aaron Judge and Shohai Otani, while Cy Young’s winners were Tarik Skubal and 35-year-old Chris Sale. Who is Lewis Gill getting Al Rookie of the Old? Again, Paul Skens on the National League side was not so surprising.
Let’s get to that.
American League Awards will be selected
RJ Anderson: Gilbert is as close as I could get to a true “surprise” pick. The truth is said, I was going to go with Garrett Crochet, but I was worried that everyone else would choose him too. Gilbert is an above average pitcher who plays in friendly ballparks. It’s a good pairing. I’m going with Smith as Rookie of the Year. Because he thinks he’ll get a long-term opportunity and make the most of Crawford’s box. Otherwise, I played here safely.
Mike Axa: I wanted to go to Comeback Player of the Year with Mike Trout and Jacob DeGrom, but the last few years is a difficult selling point to relying on guys in their 30s to stay healthy when they’re not. Bichette, just 27 years old, was a top performer between 2019 and 2023, playing last year’s injury. It doesn’t seem like his skills have broken down. He’s healthy now and my comeback player of the year is picking. As for other awards, they are very simple. Henderson is one of the best players in the world, Crochet has most reliable Cy Young cases from last season, and Locker has a clear path to playing time. This is half the fight for the Rookie of the Year candidate.
Kate Feldman: I really wanted to go with someone bold for the MVP, so I think choosing Witt on the judge is a bit of a hot take, but there’s no mistake. DeGrom looked fantastic at the end of 2024 with three starts midway through elbow surgery. If he can stay on the field (if it’s huge), Cy Young is him. Christian Campbell isn’t even a top-ranked prospect in his own organization, but get hooked. The Manager of the Year and Comeback Player Awards have no rhyme or reason. Anything.
Julian McWilliams: It’s the world of wit. He is the epitome of the five-tool player who influenced the victory and spent his breakout year last season. Without Judge Aaron, Witt would have easily brought home the AL MVP Award. Crochet, Campbell and Kora (yes, it’s Red Sox Heavy) bring back crowns in their respective categories and change things after a decade of the year for the socks. Meanwhile, Torres, who spent the stellar postseason with the Yankees last year, will benefit from the scenery and managerial changes like AJ Hinch.
Dayn Perry: You can’t take yourself to predict Jacob Degrom’s health, so instead predict Mike Trout’s health. I could be stupid. The rest of these choices are pretty obvious, if not controversial.
Matt Snyder: Witt may be the best all-round position player in baseball, but he still only hurt the surface. I have the Royals won Al Central. This means he has an extra story on his side. The Ragans were relatively quiet last year, finishing fourth in Cy Young’s vote. He is responsible for 200 innings this time with 250 strikeouts. I’m the Red Sox winning AL East, but if that happens, Cora will win the Manager Award.
National League Awards Pick
Anderson: Chris Sale has CY, but it’s time for Wheeler to get him. Elsewhere, I think Chandler will continue the recent tradition of right-handed stud pirate rookies. You will never know to qualify a player accurately and accurately for a comeback consideration. Ray has been limited to single-digit appearances over the last two seasons, so I think it’s just enough justification to nod to him.
Axisa: For my money, Wheeler is the best pitcher in baseball and he will earn his lifetime achievements to Year Young this year. Otani is incredible and I will continue to welcome him to the MVP until he stops his MVP victory. The Dodgers manage Sasaki’s workload in a way that opens the door for the show to take home Rookie of the Year. Strider as the comeback player of the year has been pushed back, especially a) how he looks in his spring debut, and b) Ronald Ackonya Junior’s return date.
Feldman: I’ve said it elsewhere so I’ll keep saying it, but I’m taking part in Juan Soto all this year. I had originally down Shohei Ohtani for Cy Young (and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the outcome), but last year Paul Skenes was so great that I have to assume he has fewer limits for him this season. He may already be the best pitcher in baseball. Sasaki Roki will probably be the actual NL Rookie of the Year, but we’ll go with Dylan’s crew as NPB players claim that they shouldn’t qualify after professional level experience. The Manager of the Year and Comeback Player Awards have no rhyme or reason. Anything.
McWilliams: At this point, how can you bet on Otani after winning the award as DH last season? Wheeler wins the Cy Young Award and locks in the rotation that many consider to be the best in baseball. And rejuvenating Terry Francona makes the most of the Reds club, who has the best young talent in the game.
Perry: Otani’s return to the mound and pairing with what I’m expecting is a vintage production on the plate (without all theft for fatigue management purposes) which means he’ll win the third MVP award. The Skenes will take the next step to becoming the best pitcher in baseball for years to come. Sasaki’s workloads are not high, but they thrive on a rate basis.
Snyder: Choosing Tucker for Ohtani and Soto means I’m quite likely already lost, but Tucker posted 4.7 wars in half seasons last year. That’s his time. On the roller, I wanted to grab a player that was a bit off the board, but I also had the opportunity to make noise for the candidates.
(All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 26th)
2025 American League MVP Odds
2025 American League Cy Young Odds
Tarik Skubal, Tigers: +380 Garrett Crochet, Red Sox: +450 Cole Ragans, Royals: +1000 Logan Gilbert, Mariners: +1100
