Major League Baseball Concludes 2025 Season with Historic Awards Week, Featuring Back-to-Back MVPs for Judge and Ohtani.

The 2025 Major League Baseball season officially concluded with the annual Awards Week, a period dedicated to recognizing the league’s most outstanding individual performances. Amidst the burgeoning "hot stove" season and early preparations for 2026 roster adjustments, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) unveiled its selections for the four most prestigious honors, awards that will indelibly shape baseball’s historical records and influence Hall of Fame résumés for years to come.

The week commenced on Monday with the announcement of the Rookie of the Year awards. In the American League, Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was a unanimous choice, showcasing a rapid ascent to stardom. Across the National League, Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin earned the top rookie honor, solidifying his role as a foundational piece for his club.

Tuesday brought recognition for managerial excellence, with both the American and National League Manager of the Year awards going to repeat winners. Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy secured his second consecutive NL Manager of the Year award, while Stephen Vogt of the Cleveland Guardians also claimed his second straight AL honor.

On Wednesday, pitching prowess was celebrated as the Cy Young Awards were announced. Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal earned his second consecutive AL Cy Young Award, further cementing his status as a dominant force. In the National League, Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes delivered a historic rookie season, unanimously winning his first Cy Young Award.

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The awards week culminated on Thursday with the highly anticipated Most Valuable Player announcements. Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani continued his unprecedented run of excellence, securing his third consecutive NL MVP award and fourth in five years, all unanimously. In the American League, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge narrowly edged out Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh to claim his second consecutive AL MVP.

American League Rookie of the Year: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (Unanimous)

Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was the unanimous selection for the American League Rookie of the Year. Kurtz’s journey to MLB stardom was remarkably swift, bypassing extensive minor league seasoning. Drafted fourth overall in 2024, he played just 12 minor league games and 13 Arizona Fall League contests before making his major league debut on April 23, 2025.

Kurtz immediately translated his minor league success, where he consistently posted an OPS above 1.000, to the big leagues. Over 117 games, he recorded a rookie-season OPS of 1.002, a mark that ranks fifth all-time for a rookie with a minimum of 480 plate appearances, placing him in elite company alongside Aaron Judge, Ted Williams, Albert Pujols, and Ryan Braun. His slash line of .290/.383/.619 underscored his exceptional plate discipline and power combination. A highlight of his season came on July 25 against the Houston Astros, when he hit four home runs, collected six hits, and tied Shawn Green’s single-game record for total bases with 19.

Kurtz, who turned 22 during the season, represents the ninth Rookie of the Year in Athletics franchise history, offering a significant beacon of hope for the struggling club. His immediate impact suggests he is already one of the league’s premier hitters. Finalists Jacob Wilson of the Athletics and Roman Anthony of the Red Sox also delivered strong rookie campaigns, with Wilson’s .311 average ranking third in MLB. However, Anthony’s season was curtailed by an oblique injury in September, preventing a late push for the award.

National League Rookie of the Year: Drake Baldwin, Braves

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin was named the National League Rookie of the Year, distinguishing himself with a full season of impactful performance. Baldwin posted a .274 batting average, a .341 on-base percentage, and a .469 slugging percentage over 124 games. His offensive output was so consistent that he frequently served as the designated hitter on days he was not behind the plate.

Baldwin’s opportunity arose earlier than anticipated after veteran catcher Sean Murphy sustained a cracked rib in spring training. Despite entering the season as a highly-regarded prospect within the Braves organization, his immediate promotion to Opening Day starter was a testament to his impressive spring training showing. Baldwin’s selection marks the first time an NL catcher has won the award since Buster Posey in 2010 and only the second Braves catcher, following Earl Williams in 1971.

Cubs pitcher Cade Horton, another finalist, showcased a remarkable second-half surge, posting an 8-1 record with a 1.03 ERA over 12 starts after the All-Star break. His late-season heroics were crucial for the Cubs’ postseason aspirations, demonstrating his potential to be a future ace. Caleb Durbin of the Milwaukee Brewers, another key rookie contributor, was instrumental in his team’s franchise-best 97-win season, further highlighting the strong rookie class in the National League.

American League Manager of the Year: Stephen Vogt, Guardians

Stephen Vogt of the Cleveland Guardians earned his second consecutive American League Manager of the Year award, a rare feat that places him among a select group of back-to-back winners. Vogt guided the Guardians to a remarkable turnaround, overcoming a 15½-game deficit in the AL Central by July 8 to ultimately clinch the division title.

The Guardians exceeded their preseason over/under consensus by 10.5 wins, the third-best performance in MLB. Vogt’s leadership was evident in the team’s ability to outperform statistical expectations, particularly in close contests, where they compiled a 43-30 record in one- and two-run games. This resilience and strategic acumen were key factors in their success.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider, a finalist, also merited strong consideration after leading his team from a last-place finish in 2024 to an AL East crown in 2025—their first division title in a decade. The Blue Jays exceeded their preseason consensus by 10 wins, the fourth-best in MLB, and made a deep postseason run, reaching extra innings in Game 7 of the World Series. Mariners manager Dan Wilson, whose team won the AL West, was also a finalist. Vogt’s ability to orchestrate a dramatic mid-season comeback ultimately resonated most strongly with the voters.

National League Manager of the Year: Pat Murphy, Brewers

Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers was honored with his second consecutive National League Manager of the Year award, becoming only the third manager to achieve back-to-back recognition in the NL since Bobby Cox (2004-05) and Kevin Cash (AL, 2020-21). Murphy, in his second full season as a big league manager, also became the first skipper to win in his first two full seasons.

Under Murphy’s guidance, the Brewers recorded a franchise-best 97 wins, achieving a 17-win surplus against preseason expectations—the highest in MLB. This significant overperformance underscored the effectiveness of Murphy’s leadership and the organization’s strategic approach. Milwaukee’s success was largely attributed to their ability to integrate a large contingent of rookie talent, leading the majors in rookie WAR.

Murphy fostered a positive and adaptive clubhouse culture, adept at both lighthearted motivation and stern direction. His consistent treatment of all players, regardless of tenure or star power, has been a hallmark of his management style. The Brewers exhibited an exciting brand of offensive baseball, characterized by aggressive base-running and strong situational hitting, complemented by one of the league’s top defenses—all indicative of a well-managed squad. Finalists included Terry Francona of the Cincinnati Reds and Rob Thomson of the Philadelphia Phillies, both leading competitive teams throughout the season.

American League Cy Young Award: Tarik Skubal, Tigers

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal claimed his second consecutive American League Cy Young Award, marking the first back-to-back winner in the AL since Pedro Martinez in 1999-2000 and the first overall since Jacob deGrom (NL, 2018-19). Skubal is only the second Tigers pitcher to win multiple Cy Youngs, joining Denny McLain (1968-69).

Skubal’s 2025 season built upon his breakout 2024 campaign. He once again led the AL in both ERA and FIP for the second straight season, making 31 starts. His efficiency and command were exceptional, posting a ridiculous 7.3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. While not repeating as the league’s strikeout leader, he increased his total from 228 to 241. Skubal’s average game score of 64.2 led all major league pitchers. A standout performance occurred on May 25 against Cleveland, where he threw a two-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts on just 94 pitches, achieving a game score of 96, tied for the highest of 2025.

The voting outcome also highlighted the diminishing importance of pitcher wins, as Skubal’s dominant season was recognized despite his team’s overall performance. Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet, a formidable challenger, led MLB with 255 strikeouts and posted 18 wins in his first season as a full-time starter for the Boston Red Sox, underscoring the depth of pitching talent in the AL.

National League Cy Young Award: Paul Skenes, Pirates (Unanimous)

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes unanimously won the National League Cy Young Award in a historic fashion, becoming the first starting pitcher to earn the award with a non-winning record (10-10). Skenes’s win also made him the fifth pitcher to capture a Cy Young within his first two big league seasons and just the third Pirates hurler to do so, joining Vern Law (1960) and Doug Drabek (1990).

Skenes’s dominance in his sophomore season was staggering, establishing a career ERA of 1.96 over his first two campaigns. This figure places him third all-time among pitchers with a minimum of 50 starts since 1901, behind only dead-ball era legends Ed Walsh (1.82) and Addie Joss (1.89). When adjusted for league and ballpark context (ERA+), Skenes’s career mark of 215 leads all pitchers with at least 50 starts, significantly ahead of Clayton Kershaw (154) and Pedro Martinez (154).

Despite his team’s struggles, Skenes consistently delivered elite performances, showcasing a potent arsenal and exceptional control. His unanimous selection underscores the voters’ focus on advanced metrics and raw dominance over traditional win-loss records. Cristopher Sanchez of the Philadelphia Phillies and Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers were also strong contenders, with Sanchez’s consistent run prevention and higher volume of innings making the race particularly close in terms of aggregate value.

American League MVP: Aaron Judge, Yankees

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge secured his second consecutive American League MVP award, narrowly outpolling Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. Judge’s 2025 season further embellished an already illustrious career, making him the 13th player in MLB history to win at least three MVP awards. He joins Yankees legends Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra in this exclusive club.

At 33 years old, Judge continued to defy age, showcasing an evolving skill set. His move out of center field at the beginning of the season contributed to improved defensive metrics, though an elbow injury later limited his time in the field. Offensively, Judge had a career-best season, winning his first batting title with a .331 average. This performance contributed to a career-first "sabermetric Triple Crown," leading the league in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. His 9.7 bWAR season was his third with a bWAR of 9.5 or higher, a feat achieved by only 11 position players, including Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Mike Trout, signaling a clear path to Cooperstown.

Over the last four seasons, Judge has averaged a .311/.439/.677 slash line with 59 homers, 131 RBIs, and 133 runs per 162 games played, demonstrating sustained elite performance. The close contest with Cal Raleigh, who received 13 first-place votes to Judge’s 17, highlighted Raleigh’s breakout season as a primary offensive force for the Mariners.

National League MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (Unanimous)

Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Shohei Ohtani earned his third consecutive National League MVP award, and his fourth overall in five years, all of them unanimous selections. This unprecedented stretch of dominance places him second only to Barry Bonds in career MVP awards (7).

Ohtani’s offensive production reached new heights in his second season with the Dodgers. He set a new career high with 55 home runs and scored 146 runs as the team’s leadoff hitter, a modern-era Dodgers franchise record. His two seasons in Chavez Ravine have seen him establish the top two single-season home run totals in franchise history. This followed his historic "50/50 season" in 2024, which included a remarkable 6-for-6, three-homer, 10-RBI, two-steal game.

Despite recovering from surgery, Ohtani gradually returned to mound work in 2025, pitching effectively with a 2.87 ERA over 14 appearances, contributing 1.1 fWAR. His two-way prowess was further amplified in the postseason, where he delivered two of the greatest individual performances in recent memory. In the NLCS clincher against the Milwaukee Brewers, he pitched six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts while also hitting three home runs. In the epic 18-inning World Series Game 3 against the Toronto Blue Jays, Ohtani homered three times and doubled twice, reaching base a record-tying nine times.

His sustained, unparalleled excellence has cemented his status as the game’s preeminent player, continuously pushing the boundaries of what is possible in baseball.

Other Key Awards and Recognitions:

Executive of the Year: Matt Arnold of the Milwaukee Brewers was widely considered a top candidate, recognized for his organizational performance in player acquisitions, overall team record, and rookie value. Seattle’s Jerry Dipoto also received strong consideration.
All-MLB First Team (Based on AXE Metric):
- 1B: Matt Olson (Braves)
- 2B: Nico Hoerner (Cubs)
- SS: Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)
- 3B: Jose Ramirez (Guardians)
- C: Cal Raleigh (Mariners)
- OF: Juan Soto (Mets), Aaron Judge (Yankees), Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks)
- DH: Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
- LHP: Tarik Skubal (Tigers)
- RHP: Paul Skenes (Pirates)
- RP: Aroldis Chapman (Red Sox)
Hank Aaron Award (Outstanding Offensive Player): Aaron Judge (AL, Yankees) and Shohei Ohtani (NL, Dodgers)
Mariano Rivera Award (AL Top Reliever): Aroldis Chapman (Red Sox)
Trevor Hoffman Award (NL Top Reliever): Edwin Diaz (Mets)
Gold Gloves: The defensive awards were announced earlier in the week. Notable selections included Dillon Dingler (Tigers) at AL catcher and various other deserving players across both leagues, with the awards generally reflecting strong defensive performances throughout the season.