Following my division winners’ predictions and the best teams for the 2025 campaign, I figured it would only be fitting to predict the best players as well.
National League (NL) MVP: Shohei Ohtani
It’s chalk, but it’s hard to envision a world in which a healthy Shohei doesn’t bring home more hardware. Following an MVP season as a designated hitter (DH), he’ll be back on the mound in ‘25. The focus on pitching may affect his offensive numbers a bit, and will definitely limit the stolen base total, but he’s still a premiere bat in the league with Cy Young-candidate upside on the bump.
American League (AL) MVP: Bobby Witt Jr.
Aaron Judge is the popular pick for this award, rightfully so, following one of the best offensive seasons we’ve ever seen. But we’ve never seen him string together two MVP-caliber seasons in a row, whether that be decreased production or injury issues. Following the news that Gerrit Cole will undergo a season-ending Tommy John surgery, I could see it going either way: The Yankees have a season from hell, or Judge carries his unbearably heavy load and drags the Yanks deep into October. But I like Witt for this award. He’s got pop and hits for average; he’s improved defensively each season and might be the fastest player in the league. He finished second in voting last year, and I expect a similar season for a star on a team looking to win the AL Central.
NL Cy Young: Spencer Strider
Before undergoing Tommy John surgery, Spencer Strider, of the Braves, was talked about with similar reverence as Paul Skenes. The injury sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, but in his first start of spring training, his pitch arsenal looked as lively as ever. His velocity is still top notch, his slider was filthy and he struck out six of the eight batters he faced, not allowing a single baserunner. In 2023, he led all of baseball in strikeouts, wins and Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP). He hasn’t skipped a beat. I understand why Skenes is the popular vote, as he gave us one of the best rookie seasons from a starting pitcher ever, and is adding a cutter and sinker that look gross. I just want to see it again, and I’m never one to predict injuries but I’m wary of that possibility, given the influx of pitching injuries over the past decade.
AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal
Skubal was the best pitcher in baseball last year, leading the MLB in wins, earned run average (ERA), strikeouts and FIP. I could see him going on a run the next couple of years, proving himself to be the premier ace in the league and one of the best pitchers of his generation. His high-velo fastball and diving changeup work off of each other well, and he fools hitters with ease. Assuming another healthy season from the 28-year-old, I could easily see him going back-to-back.
NL Rookie of the Year: Roki Sasaki
Sasaki may have been the most coveted free agent over the offseason. He turned heads during his appearance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and due to his decision to come to the MLB before the age of 25, he was cheap to acquire. Sasaki has a devastating splitter that literally moves in different directions; it can move toward the arm side or glove side, and it’s up to the hitter to guess which way it’s going. He’s also got a fastball that hovers around 100 mph. Though his MLB debut wasn’t anything special, I’m expecting an eye-popping rookie season from Sasaki.
AL Rookie of the Year: Kristian Campbell
Campbell is among plenty of young talent in the farm system for the Boston Red Sox, and there’s a good chance he’ll become a mainstay at second base for the club in 2025. Campbell ascended from High-A to Triple-A in 2024 and raked at every stop, finishing with a slash line of .330/.439/.558 and an OPS of .997. Pair that with threatening speed (24 stolen bases) and you’ve got a lot to be optimistic about with Campbell. He’s still young, so there may be some struggles early on, but the physical tools are too appealing and I’m excited to watch him on a potentially dangerous Boston team.
Sydney Brammer 
Jonathan Raditsas