As Opening Day 2025 approaches, MLB.com experts have already begun to speculate on who will take home the prestigious Baseball Writers’ Association of America Awards.
With predictions rolling in for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year in each league, fans and analysts alike are buzzing with anticipation.
This blog post delves into the expert predictions, highlighting the standout candidates and their remarkable achievements that have set the stage for an exciting season.
American League MVP: Bobby Witt Jr. Leads the Pack
After a stellar 2024 season, Bobby Witt Jr. has emerged as the frontrunner for the American League MVP award.
Witt’s impressive statistics, including a .332 batting average and 211 hits, underscore his dominance at the plate.
His 9.4 bWAR was second only to Aaron Judge, and his consistent improvement over the years makes him a strong contender for the MVP title in 2025.
Other AL MVP Contenders
While Witt is the clear favorite, other players are also in the running for the AL MVP award:
- Gunnar Henderson
- Aaron Judge
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- José RamÃrez
- Alex Bregman
- Julio RodrÃguez
- Riley Greene
- Adley Rutschman
National League MVP: Shohei Ohtani’s Return
Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation, is the overwhelming favorite for the National League MVP award.
After a historic 50-50 season in 2024, Ohtani’s return to the mound adds another dimension to his candidacy.
Even with a league-average performance as a pitcher, his offensive prowess makes him a formidable contender for his fourth MVP award.
Other NL MVP Contenders
Ohtani faces competition from several other standout players in the National League:
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- Juan Soto
- Elly De La Cruz
- Fernando Tatis Jr.
- Corbin Carroll
- Francisco Lindor
American League Cy Young: Tarik Skubal’s Dominance
Tarik Skubal’s breakout 2024 campaign, which included an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts, has made him the favorite for the AL Cy Young award.
Skubal’s performance was instrumental in leading the Tigers to the postseason, and his continued improvement makes him a strong candidate to repeat as the AL Cy Young winner.
Other AL Cy Young Contenders
Several other pitchers are also in the mix for the AL Cy Young award:
- Garrett Crochet
- Cole Ragans
- Jacob deGrom
- Logan Gilbert
- Max Fried
National League Cy Young: Paul Skenes’ Rising Star
Paul Skenes, the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, is the favorite for the NL Cy Young award.
Despite making only 23 starts last season, Skenes finished third in the Cy Young vote, thanks to his 11-3 record, 1.96 ERA, and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings.
With a full season ahead, Skenes is poised to build on his impressive debut and challenge for the top pitching honor.
Other NL Cy Young Contenders
Skenes will face stiff competition from several other elite pitchers:
- Zack Wheeler
- Corbin Burnes
- Blake Snell
- Michael King
- Shohei Ohtani
- Roki Sasaki
- Justin Steele
- Logan Webb
American League Rookie of the Year: Jackson Jobe’s Potential
Jackson Jobe, the No. 5 prospect in baseball, has earned a spot in Detroit’s rotation after an impressive Spring Training.
With a high-90s fastball and exceptional secondary pitches, Jobe has the tools to make an immediate impact.
His brief call-up last season saw him hold MLB hitters to a .071 average, and a strong regular season could see him capture the AL Rookie of the Year award.
Other AL Rookie of the Year Contenders
Jobe will be up against other promising rookies in the race for the AL Rookie of the Year award:
- Kristian Campbell
- Roman Anthony
- Jasson DomÃnguez
- Jacob Wilson
- Jac Caglianone
- Coby Mayo
- Colson Montgomery
- Kumar Rocker
- Cam Smith
- Tomoyuki Sugano
National League Rookie of the Year: Roki Sasaki’s Anticipated Debut
Roki Sasaki, the highly anticipated Japanese pitcher, is the favorite for the NL Rookie of the Year award.
With a triple-digit fastball and world-class splitter, Sasaki has already impressed in limited spring action.
Though his MLB debut was not flawless, his potential to dominate MLB hitters over a full season makes him a strong contender for the award.
Other NL Rookie of the Year Contenders
Sasaki will compete with other talented rookies for the NL Rookie of the Year title:
- Dylan Crews
- Matt Shaw
- Drake Baldwin
- Bubba Chandler
- Dalton Rushing
- AJ Smith-Shawver
American League Manager of the Year: Alex Cora’s Resurgence
Alex Cora, the manager of the Boston Red Sox, is the favorite for the AL Manager of the Year award.
After leading the team to an 81-81 record last season, Cora is poised to guide the Red Sox to greater success in 2025.
With key additions like Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Alex Bregman, as well as the arrival of exciting prospects, Cora’s leadership could be instrumental in the team’s resurgence.
Other AL Manager of the Year Contenders
Cora will face competition from several other managers in the AL:
- A.J. Hinch
- Mark Kotsay
- Matt Quatraro
- Kevin Cash
- Dan Wilson
- Stephen Vogt
- Rocco Baldelli
- Bruce Bochy
- Joe Espada
- Brandon Hyde
National League Manager of the Year: Terry Francona’s Winning Ways
Terry Francona, the manager of the Cincinnati Reds, is the favorite for the NL Manager of the Year award.
Francona’s track record of turning teams around, combined with the Reds’ young talent and offseason roster tweaks, makes him a strong candidate.
With a fourth-place finish last season, Francona’s leadership could propel the Reds to a postseason run in 2025.
Other NL Manager of the Year Contenders
Francona will be up against other experienced managers in the NL:
- Craig Counsell
- Torey Lovullo
- Carlos Mendoza
- Dave Roberts
- Pat Murphy
- Derek Shelton
- Brian Snitker
- Oliver Marmol
- Clayton McCullough
- Bob Melvin
- Mike Shildt
- Rob Thomson
For a more detailed breakdown of the predictions and to stay updated on the latest MLB news, visit the official MLB website.
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