2025 MLB Awards Race: MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year Predictions

As the 2025 MLB regular season winds down, the races for individual awards are heating up. Here’s a breakdown of the leading contenders and predictions for the MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year awards.

Most Valuable Player (MVP)

American League

• Aaron Judge (New York Yankees): Judge continues to dominate with a 153 AXE rating, leading in OPS+ and wRC+. His offensive prowess and leadership make him a strong candidate.
• Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners): Raleigh is having a historic season as a catcher, setting records for home runs and RBIs. His defensive skills and narrative could sway voters.

National League

• Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers): Ohtani is a juggernaut, combining elite hitting and pitching. His 152 AXE rating and league-leading win probability added make him the clear favorite.
• Juan Soto (New York Mets): Soto’s on-base mastery and stolen bases keep him in the conversation, but Ohtani’s all-around game is hard to beat.

Cy Young Award

American League

• Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers): Skubal’s 146 AXE rating and sub-2.00 ERA make him the frontrunner. His consistency and dominance are unmatched.
• Garrett Crochet (Boston Red Sox): Crochet’s impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio keeps him in the race, but Skubal’s edge in WAR and championship probability added gives him the advantage.

National League

• Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates): Skenes’ sub-2.00 ERA and narrow lead in FIP make him the favorite. Despite playing for a struggling team, his individual performance stands out.
• Cristopher Sanchez (Philadelphia Phillies): Sanchez’s league-leading championship probability added keeps him in contention, but Skenes’ consistency is hard to overlook.

Rookie of the Year

American League

• Nick Kurtz (Oakland Athletics): Kurtz’s 1.021 OPS and historic rookie season make him the clear favorite. His four-homer game against Houston is a highlight.
• Roman Anthony (Boston Red Sox): Anthony’s injury sidelines him, but his early-season performance was impressive.

National League

• Cade Horton (Chicago Cubs): Horton’s recent dominance, with a 0.77 ERA over his last nine outings, has propelled him to the top of the race.
• Isaac Collins (Milwaukee Brewers): Collins leads the NL’s top rookie class, but Horton’s hot streak may be too much to overcome.

Manager of the Year

American League

• A.J. Hinch (Detroit Tigers): Hinch’s leadership has the Tigers in contention for the top seed, making him a strong candidate.
• John Schneider (Toronto Blue Jays): Schneider’s ability to keep the Blue Jays in the playoff hunt is commendable.

National League

• Pat Murphy (Milwaukee Brewers): Murphy’s Brewers have exceeded expectations, and his team’s performance makes him the favorite.
• Clayton McCullough (Miami Marlins): McCullough’s Marlins have struggled recently, but his early-season success keeps him in the conversation.

As the season concludes, these races will come down to the wire, with each contender vying for their place in MLB history.