MLB · 3 months ago

Ohtani and Judge Lead 2025 MLB Mid-Season Awards & Top Performers

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

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A.J. Hinch — AL Manager of the Year
Few clubs have defied projections like the Detroit Tigers. A.J. Hinch has guided his mix of rising young stars and seasoned vets to the top half of the AL, building confidence with sharp bullpen usage and clutch in-game calls.

Detroit’s relievers might not lead the league in ERA, but they’ve been nails in big spots — their 4.40 clutch score ranks first, and they’ve rarely melted down in tight games. Hinch deserves major credit for turning promise into results.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Shohei Ohtani — NL MVP
It’s no surprise Shohei Ohtani sits atop the NL MVP race as the calendar flips to July. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way megastar continues to redefine greatness, pacing the National League in home runs, runs scored, OPS, wRC+, Win Probability Added, and total fWAR thanks to his work at the plate and on the mound.

While his bid for another 50/50 season might fall short, Ohtani’s speed is still elite — 12 stolen bases and counting — and he’s on pace to set new personal bests for both triples and walks. His balanced dominance makes him the man to beat, but there’s no shortage of challengers gunning for his crown.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.
Aaron Judge — AL MVP
Aaron Judge is once again putting up numbers that belong in Cooperstown. The New York Yankees slugger, already a two-time MVP, is threatening to post a single-season fWAR total unseen since Babe Ruth’s legendary 1927 campaign.

Yet Judge isn’t running away with it. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh lurks just behind him, combining pop at the plate with standout defense behind the dish. It’s a rare sight: two historically great seasons squaring off for one trophy. For now, Judge’s sheer power keeps him slightly ahead.

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Paul Skenes — NL Cy Young
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ prized right-hander, Paul Skenes, has turned promise into production. He tops the Senior Circuit in ERA and fWAR, carving hitters up with filthy stuff and limiting the long ball better than anyone else.

Veteran Zack Wheeler is breathing down his neck, leading the NL in strikeouts and K-BB%. However, the narrative and numbers currently lean in Skenes' favor. A strong finish would lock up his first Cy Young in just his second season — a remarkable feat.

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Tarik Skubal — AL Cy Young
In the American League, it’s Tarik Skubal’s award to lose — at least for the moment. The Detroit Tigers ace has put up elite underlying metrics while mixing overpowering stuff with consistency on the mound.

Skubal has some competition, though. He’s trailing a handful of arms in ERA and innings pitched, leaving the door open for Hunter Brown, Max Fried, Jacob deGrom, or Framber Valdez to make a run. Skubal’s blend of efficiency and raw power still gives him the edge.
Drake Baldwin — NL Rookie of the Year
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has done more than enough to lead a tight NL Rookie of the Year race. He’s delivering an impressive 125 wRC+ with nine homers over his first 57 games — all while handling duties behind the plate with maturity beyond his years.

Agustín Ramírez has flashed even more power but splits time at DH and hasn’t matched Baldwin’s defensive value. Brewers rookies Chad Patrick and Jacob Misiorowski are intriguing names to watch down the stretch but have work to do to catch Baldwin’s well-rounded production.
Jacob Wilson — AL Rookie of the Year
The Athletics' Jacob Wilson is swinging his way into the record books. The slick-fielding shortstop leads all AL rookies in nearly every major offensive category: games played, hits, extra-base hits, batting average, OBP, OPS, wRC+, and fWAR.

Wilson’s quest to be the first rookie batting champ since Ichiro is alive and well — even with Aaron Judge raking at historic levels. Teammate Nick Kurtz and Boston’s Carlos Narvaez both deserve mentions, but Wilson is the clear front-runner for now.
Bob Melvin — NL Manager of the Year
Bob Melvin’s steady hand has the San Francisco Giants outperforming expectations in 2025. San Francisco isn’t likely to steal the NL West crown, but they’ve stayed in the hunt thanks to Melvin’s savvy lineup management and knack for squeezing value out of every roster spot.

If he wins, Melvin would join managerial royalty — only Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa, and Buck Showalter have claimed Manager of the Year honors four times.
A.J. Hinch — AL Manager of the Year
Few clubs have defied projections like the Detroit Tigers. A.J. Hinch has guided his mix of rising young stars and seasoned vets to the top half of the AL, building confidence with sharp bullpen usage and clutch in-game calls.

Detroit’s relievers might not lead the league in ERA, but they’ve been nails in big spots — their 4.40 clutch score ranks first, and they’ve rarely melted down in tight games. Hinch deserves major credit for turning promise into results.

For all your MLB deep dives, check out our friends at Just Baseball.
Shohei Ohtani — NL MVP
It’s no surprise Shohei Ohtani sits atop the NL MVP race as the calendar flips to July. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way megastar continues to redefine greatness, pacing the National League in home runs, runs scored, OPS, wRC+, Win Probability Added, and total fWAR thanks to his work at the plate and on the mound.

While his bid for another 50/50 season might fall short, Ohtani’s speed is still elite — 12 stolen bases and counting — and he’s on pace to set new personal bests for both triples and walks. His balanced dominance makes him the man to beat, but there’s no shortage of challengers gunning for his crown.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis and insights for this slideshow article.

Ohtani and Judge Lead 2025 MLB Mid-Season Awards & Top Performers

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