The MLB season is off and running. We’ve already seen dominance from teams in the NL West. Some players have jumped out to MASSIVE starts, and there are some early concerns as well for a few offensively struggling teams. While the season is young, I want to get my picks in for awards around the league plus my playoff and World Series picks. Here are my 2025 American League predictions.
Most Valuable Player
Aaron Judge – New York Yankees: All rise for another MVP performance from Aaron Judge, especially if he jumps in on the torpedo bat movement. Judge is already off to a hot start in New York. He lost Juan Soto but gained Cody Bellinger and should still hit over 50 home runs in the little league park that we call Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will be right in the mix of the best AL teams so Judge will have an opportunity for plenty of big moments. If he hits over .300 with 45+ home runs, he is a shoe-in.
Cy Young Award
Garrett Crochet – Boston Red Sox: Crochet got his contract extension one week into the season after the Sox watched him start one game and realized they had a bigger, more powerful Chris Sale. With no Gerrit Cole to worry about, I am pegging Crochet for the best year in the AL. Going back-to-back is tough, so I am shying away from Tarik Skubal, last year’s winner. Crochet was in the top 90 percent of nearly every advanced stat last season and should be again this year.
Rookie of the Year
Kristian Campbell – Boston Red Sox: Campbell is so damn good that he played just five games before the Red Sox were convinced to give him a $60 million dollar deal. Campbell can play all over the infield and outfield. A week into the season, he was hitting over .300 and getting on-base. He can be a run provider for the Red Sox and will get a ton of playing time.
Manager of the Year
Bruce Bochy – Texas Rangers: Bochy won a World Series in year 1 in Texas and then missed the postseason. He is pretty much following the method he had in San Francisco. The Rangers are off to a hot start and are healthy, unlike a year ago. Bochy is in a tough division in the AL West and will display that a great manager is the difference maker.
ALCS
Cleveland Guardians vs Texas Rangers: The Guardians are one of the most well-run organizations in baseball and in their first year without Terry Francona, Stephen Vogt proved that there would be no drop-off. I see the Guardians punching a ticket to the WS this season.
World Series
Cleveland Guardians vs New York Mets: You add the biggest fish in free agency and it pays off. I like the Mets, and Juan Soto, winning it all over the Guardians in six games.