MLB 2025 Midseason Awards Race: Who’s Leading the MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year Contests?

As the 2025 MLB season hits its unofficial midway point, the race for the league’s most prestigious awards is heating up. Let’s dive into the current front-runners for the MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year awards, and explore the standout performances that have defined the season so far.

Most Valuable Player (MVP)

American League

• Front-runner: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (162 AXE)

  • Judge has maintained a comfortable lead in the AL MVP race all season, despite a slight dip in his OPS from 1.234 to 1.141. His power numbers remain elite, with a projected 66 home runs per 162 games.

• Biggest Mover: Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins

  • Buxton has surged into the top five, thanks to a stellar first half that has him on pace for his first 30/30 season. His 1.025 OPS and 48 homers per 162 games since the last Awards Watch have been key to his rise.

National League

• Front-runner: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (144 AXE)

  • Ohtani continues to dominate both at the plate and on the mound, though Pete Crow-Armstrong is hot on his heels. Ohtani’s 174 OPS+ dwarfs Crow-Armstrong’s 140, but the latter’s defensive prowess keeps him in the conversation.

• Biggest Mover: James Wood, Washington Nationals

  • Wood has solidified his status as a rising star, with a .908 OPS and 162-game rates of 42 homers, 127 RBIs, and 19 steals since the last Awards Watch.

Cy Young Award

American League

• Front-runner: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers (151 AXE)

  • Skubal has been nearly untouchable, posting a 1.89 ERA and striking out 61 batters in his last eight starts. His dominance has made him the clear favorite to repeat as AL Cy Young.

• Biggest Mover: Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers

  • DeGrom has returned to form, with a 2.32 ERA and a string of efficient outings that have him back in the top 10.

National League

• Front-runner: Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies (148 AXE)

  • Wheeler leads the NL in wins and game score, though Paul Skenes’ 4-8 record doesn’t reflect his strong underlying numbers. Wheeler’s consistency gives him the edge for now.

• Biggest Mover: Cristopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies

  • Sanchez has been a revelation, with a 1.77 ERA and six outings of seven innings or more since the last Awards Watch.

Rookie of the Year

American League

• Front-runner: Jacob Wilson, Oakland Athletics (121 AXE)

  • Wilson’s hot start earned him a spot in the All-Star Game, but a recent slump has opened the door for Cam Smith, who is now the betting favorite.

• Biggest Mover: Cam Smith, Houston Astros

  • Smith’s power surge has made him a contender, with seven homers and a .277 average that could rise if his game power catches up to his raw power.

National League

• Front-runner: Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers (113 AXE)

  • Durbin leads a tight race, with Jacob Misiorowski emerging as a strong contender after a dominant stretch that included a 12-strikeout game against the Dodgers.

• Biggest Mover: Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers

  • Misiorowski’s rapid ascent has made him a must-watch, with a 1.13 ERA in his first three starts and a standout performance against the Dodgers.

Manager of the Year

American League

• Front-runner: A.J. Hinch, Detroit Tigers (112 EARL)
  • Hinch has guided a young Tigers team to a historic pace, making him the favorite for AL Manager of the Year.

National League

• Front-runner: Pat Murphy, Milwaukee Brewers (108 EARL)
  • Murphy has led the Brewers to the top of the NL, making him the front-runner to repeat as NL Manager of the Year.

As the season progresses, these races are far from over, but the performances of these standout players and managers have set the stage for an exciting second half.