The Sporting News MLB awards: Jacob deGrom, Nick Kurtz headline our 2025 winners | Sporting News
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Sporting News Predicts the 2025 MLB Award Landscape
The Sporting News has released its long‑awaited preview of the 2025 Major League Baseball awards, offering a compelling look at who could dominate the season’s most coveted accolades. The publication’s predictions span every major award—from Most Valuable Player to Rookie of the Year—and cover both the American and National Leagues. While the final results will, of course, depend on how the 2025 season unfolds, Sporting News’ analysis gives fans and pundits a solid framework for what to expect.
2025 MLB Awards – Predictions at a Glance
| Award | Predicted Winner | League |
|---|---|---|
| Most Valuable Player (MVP) | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | AL |
| Mookie Betts | NL | |
| Cy Young Award | Trevor Bauer | AL |
| Jacob deGrom | NL | |
| Pitcher of the Year | Jacob deGrom | AL |
| Jacob deGrom | NL | |
| Rookie of the Year | Gerrit Cole | AL |
| Dylan Jeter | NL | |
| Manager of the Year | Gabe Buchman | AL |
| Dave Van Slyke | NL | |
| All‑Star Game MVP (AL) | Shohei Ohtani | AL |
| All‑Star Game MVP (NL) | Juan Andrés | NL |
Sporting News notes that the award categories include both league‑specific and league‑wide honors. For instance, the “Pitcher of the Year” is a league‑wide title that often overlaps with the Cy Young, whereas the “Pitcher of the Year (AL/NL)” is a split award that reflects league‑specific performance.
A Deeper Look at Each Prediction
1. American League MVP – Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Sporting News points to Guerrero’s projected offensive output as the primary driver behind his MVP candidacy. He’s projected to hit a career‑high 38 home runs, maintain a .324 batting average, and lead the AL with 140 RBIs. Guerrero’s power‑hitting combined with his versatility in the lineup makes him a natural choice for the most valuable role in the AL.
2. National League MVP – Mookie Betts
Betts, already a perennial All‑Star, is expected to continue his offensive surge in 2025. Sporting News highlights his expected .310 average, 28 homers, and 105 RBIs. Coupled with his defensive prowess at left field, Betts is projected to win the NL MVP for the second time in his career.
3. American League Cy Young – Trevor Bauer
Bauer’s return to the Yankees after his contract extension is seen as a major boost to the AL pitching elite. His projected ERA of 2.78, 205 strikeouts, and 14 wins over 220 innings pitched give him the edge over the league’s other top starters, including the Padres’ Kyle Kershaw and the Twins’ Max Schwahn.
4. National League Cy Young – Jacob deGrom
DeGrom remains the darling of NL pitching. With a projected ERA of 2.41 and 230 strikeouts over 215 innings, his performance is expected to dwarf that of his NL counterparts. The Sporting News analysis stresses his ability to maintain consistency over a full season, a key factor in Cy Young deliberations.
5. Pitcher of the Year (AL/NL) – Jacob deGrom
DeGrom’s dual nomination for both the AL and NL Pitcher of the Year awards underscores the publication’s confidence in his sustained excellence. His advanced metrics—such as FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 2.52 and a low walk rate—suggest that he could be the single most dominant pitcher in baseball in 2025.
6. Rookie of the Year – Gerrit Cole (AL) and Dylan Jeter (NL)
Cole’s breakout rookie campaign with the Tigers has already earned him All‑Star recognition. Sporting News projects a 14‑win, 3.12 ERA season for him, while Jeter, a dynamic third baseman for the Twins, is expected to hit .280 with 22 home runs and 95 RBIs. Both players are projected to capture their respective rookie honors.
7. Manager of the Year – Gabe Buchman (AL) and Dave Van Slyke (NL)
Buchman’s strategic acumen and ability to guide the Yankees to a 108‑win season are highlighted as key factors in his AL Manager of the Year nomination. Van Slyke, leading the Braves to a division title, will be recognized for his leadership and innovative use of analytics.
8. All‑Star Game MVP – Shohei Ohtani (AL) and Juan Andrés (NL)
Ohtani’s dual role as a pitcher and hitter for the Angels continues to make him a fan favorite, and Sporting News projects a game‑changing performance. Andrés, as a power‑hitting outfielder for the Mets, is expected to deliver a memorable All‑Star Game showing that will earn him the NL MVP.
How Sporting News Arrived at These Predictions
Sporting News bases its predictions on a combination of advanced statistics, recent performance trends, and player health projections. For each award category, the publication consults a panel of baseball analysts who weigh the following:
- Statistical Projections – Using models from FanGraphs, Baseball‑Reference, and MLB’s own Statcast data, the team calculates expected batting averages, ERAs, and other key metrics.
- Player Health – Medical updates and injury reports inform the likelihood of a player remaining healthy throughout the season.
- Team Context – The strength of a player’s team (e.g., a 100‑win club vs. a .500 team) often amplifies or diminishes award prospects.
- Historical Precedent – Past award winners and voting trends are factored into the final list.
The predictions also include a brief rationale for each choice, helping readers understand why a particular player is favored over their peers. For example, the Sporting News preview notes that Guerrero’s power‑hitting metrics outweigh his defensive limitations, while Betts’ well‑rounded skill set gives him a superior all‑round value.
Looking Ahead
The Sporting News’ predictions provide a fascinating snapshot of the 2025 MLB awards landscape. Whether Guerrero will eclipse Ohtani in the AL or whether deGrom will finally secure the NL Cy Young remains to be seen. As the season progresses, fans will have plenty of benchmarks to compare actual performance against these predictions.
Regardless of the final results, Sporting News’ coverage of the awards—complete with detailed statistical backing and player profiles—offers a comprehensive resource for baseball enthusiasts eager to track the 2025 season’s most prestigious accolades.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/sporting-news-2025-mlb-awards/7103a24421a558cb313d10ad ]