Opening day is right around the corner, and many hopeful players will be vowing for their names to be called for awards come the end of the season.
Here’s a look at the top candidates and potential winners for the National League’s top awards.
The former second overall pick out of LSU back in 2023 made his MLB debut in August of 2024 but is set for his first full season in 2025.
The Nationals have fully entered their youth movement, and Crews will lead that movement in Washington. Alongside other up-and-coming talent like James Wood and CJ Abrams, Crews will have the opportunity to play every day and make a strong rookie of the year push. Having that opportunity of playing every day is where he will be able to gain ground on other young talent around the National League, like Roki Sasaki and AJ Smith-Shawver.
So far in spring training, Crews has posted a .273 average and .730 ops, both of which are up from his short stint in the majors last season.
The 34-year-old righty is entering his 12th season in MLB and his sixth season as the lead guy in Philadelphia.
Despite his age, Wheeler has only been getting better, especially since joining the Phillies. Last season, Wheeler posted a 2.57 ERA, which was the best of his career, and a 6.1 WAR, the second best of his career. He will go into yet another season as the ace for the Phillies and will have a good chance to lead his team to an NL East crown.
Other names that could be included at the top of the National League Cy Young race include young phenom Paul Skenes, along with veterans Blake Snell and Corbin Burnes.
The Japanese superstar is heading into his ninth season in MLB and could potentially add to his already loaded trophy case.
Ohtani entered the league in 2018 and has since received three MVP awards (two in the AL and one in the NL), the rookie of the year, and finished fourth in Cy Young voting. There isn’t much he hasn’t accomplished so far, even adding his first World Series ring last season. He is primed for another historical season, especially if he can get back on the mound again.
Ohtani heads into the 2025 season with the highest odds to win the prestigious award in back-to-back seasons. Other names to look out for in the National League for MVP include new Mets superstar Juan Soto, Padres cornerstone Fernando Tatis Jr., and Ohtani’s very own teammate, Mookie Betts.
The National League award race seems more clear-cut on paper than the American League’s, but many ups and downs will shape the award voting.
Whether the odds-on favorites win the awards, or there are some surprise dark horses. The 2025 MLB season is definitely one to look forward to.
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