With less than two weeks remaining in the Major League Baseball season, several award races appear to be largely decided, featuring emerging talent poised to take over from established stars. New faces are favored to capture the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Cy Young honors in both the American and National Leagues.
In the National League MVP race, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is widely expected to end Shohei Ohtani’s three-year dominance. Ohtani, who transitioned to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season after a prolific run with the Los Angeles Angels, missed significant time due to injury this year. Crow-Armstrong, 24, is closing in on a rare 40-40 season—hitting at least 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases—and leads the league with an outstanding 9.3 wins above replacement (WAR). He also tops the National League in slugging percentage and on-base plus slugging (OPS), cementing his case as one of the best offensive players in the game. Ohtani remains a contender if he returns healthy.
The American League MVP looks likely to go to Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, who is chasing the Triple Crown—leading the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in. At 29 years old, Alvarez has established himself among the premier power hitters in baseball, already setting a personal best with 38 home runs this season. Houston’s chances of making the postseason could further validate Alvarez’s candidacy. Also in the running are Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., while New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, a back-to-back winner, has been sidelined for much of the season due to injury.
On the pitching side, the Cy Young Awards are anticipated to go to second-year right-handed starters who have delivered exceptional seasons. In the American League, New York Yankees’ Cam Schlittler has posted an ERA below 2.00, appearing on track to become the first Yankees pitcher since Ron Guidry in 1978 to maintain a sub-2.00 ERA over a full season. At age 25, Schlittler leads the league in innings pitched (184.2) and starts (31), displaying durability and dominance. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease remains a contender but trails Schlittler.
In the National League, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, also 24, has led the league in earned run average (1.95), strikeouts (236), and walks plus hits per inning pitched (0.80), standing out as one of the most effective pitchers at any age. His All-Star selection as a rookie in 2025 was met with some controversy, but his continued excellence this season has silenced many critics. Atlanta Braves veteran Chris Sale remains a challenger in the Cy Young conversation.
Rookie of the Year honors are coming into focus as well. In the American League, Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle has emerged as a key contributor. Signing an eight-year, $150 million extension before the season, McGonigle, who was 21 on Opening Day, is approaching 7 WAR, offering optimism for Detroit’s future. He is competing with Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick and Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami.
The National League Rookie of the Year is projected to be Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Sal Stewart. At 22, Stewart has delivered a strong offensive season with 31 home runs, 107 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases, playing multiple infield positions. St. Louis Cardinals outfielder JJ Wetherholt and New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean remain in contention.
As the season winds down, these players continue to bolster their cases for major honors, signaling a promising new era of MLB talent on the horizon.