Although the MLB hot stove is already in full effect, we’ve still got a week of season awards to look forward to as we reminisce about the 2025 season. The week starts with the reveal of the AL and NL Rookie of the Year Awards on Monday, Nov. 10.
The 2025 season was a tremendous year for rookies across Major League Baseball. Between Jacob Wilson’s incredible bat control, Nick Kurtz’s historic power, Drake Baldwin’s high-end bat as a catcher, and Cade Horton’s tremendous work on the mound, the decision in both leagues was likely a very difficult one for voters.
In the end though, neither decision seemed all that difficult. Kurtz won the award unanimously for the American League, while Baldwin took home 21 of 30 possible first-place votes.
Here’s how Baldwin and Kurtz won, who the other finalists were and previous Rookie of the Year winners in both leagues:
Drake Baldwin named NL Rookie of the Year
Despite strong cases for Cubs’ starter Cade Horton and Brewers’ infielder Caleb Durbin, the Braves’ backstop earned the award after smashing an astounding 19 home runs with a .274 average and .810 OPS.
Baldwin’s 126 OPS+ was the third-highest by a rookie catcher since 2010:
- Buster Posey, 2010 (133)
- Adley Rutschmann, 2022 (131)
That was enough to sway voters apparently, but it was a close race. Baldwin earned 21 of the possible 30 first-place votes. Horton earned all nine others.
Nick Kurtz named AL Rookie of the Year
The Athletics’ slugger enjoyed a historic rookie season, smacking 36 home runs and driving in 86 runs all while maintaining an OPS over 1.000, winning the award unanimously.
While both Roman Anthony and Kurtz’s teammate Jacob Wilson had tremendous seasons themselves, the sheer power that Kurtz showcased made him a runaway favorite and there are no surprises here tonight. Kurtz becomes the ninth Athletic to win the award and the first since Andrew Bailey in 2009.
How to watch 2025 Rookie of the Year announcement
The Rookie of the Year announcement ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 10. Fans can watch the reveal live on MLB Network.
2025 Rookie of the Year finalists
American League
1B Nick Kurtz, Athletics
Kurtz struggled to kick off his MLB career, slugging just .327 through his first 16 games. Then the pieces started to come together. He hammered 36 home runs in just 101 games to end the year, putting him on pace for 58 over the course of a full 162-game season. He also slashed .290/.383/.619, good for an OPS over 1.000 for the year.
That type of power would normally be enough for MVP consideration, but in a year where Cal Raleigh hits 60 and Aaron Judge does Aaron Judge things, Kurtz will likely only receive top-10 MVP consideration. What a shame.
SS Jacob Wilson, Athletics
Wilson was a huge storyline at the start of the season. The man had zero plate discipline and wasn’t hitting balls particularly hard, yet was somehow consistently finding holes. It took him 23 games to earn his first walk, yet somehow his batting average was sitting in the high-.330’s.
Wilson was a hit machine and one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball all year. Although his luck took a bit of a turn in mid-July, seeing his average drop from .337 to .311 in less than three weeks, he continued to provide consistent base knocks for an Athletics team with some serious power threats in the middle of their lineup. Should Wilson be able to maintain this level of success in the future, he could consistently be near the top of MLB in runs scored every year.
OF Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox
If fans didn’t know any better, they’d probably think Roman Anthony was a five-year vet with multiple All-Star appearances under his belt. Anyone who watched this man at the plate saw a pro, someone who wasn’t letting the pressure of playing in Major League Baseball get to them. His Baseball Savant page is filled with red markers, labeling him as one of the best pure hitters in baseball. If he can shore up his strikeout problems, he might become one of the most complete hitters in the league for years to come.
Anthony wasn’t around for a long time in 2025, playing just 71 games. That likely will cost him Rookie of the Year, and it’s a shame that he lost his rookie status in a year that featured two historic rookie seasons from the Athletics. Regardless, Anthony could very easily wind up being the best player from this year’s rookie class.
National League
C Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves
Catchers aren’t expected to do much. In today’s MLB, catchers are only meant to call a good game, have great relationships with their pitching staff, and trick umpires. Baldwin did all that, and was also a stud at the dish.
Baldwin was a serviceable catcher with some very strong defensive traits. His seven blocks above average ranked in the 92nd percentile among MLB catchers. However, his bat is what really impressed fans. Baldwin’s .810 OPS was a remarkable figure, and even more impressive coming from one of the sport’s least offense-driven positions. Having a strong catcher is a massive advantage in MLB nowadays, given how thin the position is. Atlanta has set themselves up nicely in that regard.
IF Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers
If the argument for Rookie of the Year was ‘the best rookie on the best team,’ Durbin would have a tremendous case. The infielder was a catalyst for the Brewers’ offense and helped catapult the team to the best record in baseball. However, he wasn’t much more than a league average hitter.
Durbin played 136 games for the Brewers and posted a solid 2.8 WAR. He will likely be a key cog to the Brewers core for many years to come, but with so many talented rookies this year, Durbin feels like more of a longshot than most others on this list.
SP Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs
There’s no denying that Horton was one of the best pitchers in the National League this year. That’s easy to assess when considering his 2.67 ERA, 11-4 record, and 7.4 K/9. The only drawback is that he only pitched 118 innings.
Horton was a key factor in Chicago’s run to the postseason this year. His control of the zone and ability to get hitters to chase outside the zone make him a strong candidate for sustained success in MLB. That said, his lack of innings this year is his biggest case against. Did he provide enough volume for the Cubs to warrant consideration over the competition?
Previous Rookie of the Year winners
Here is every MLB Rookie of the Year winner since 2000:
2000
- AL: Kazuhiro Sasaki, Mariners
- NL: Rafael Furcal, Braves
2001
- AL: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
- NL: Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2002
- AL: Eric Hinske, Blue Jays
- NL: Jason Jennings, Rockies
2003
- AL: Angel Berroa, Royals
- NL: Dontrelle Willis, Marlins
2004
- AL: Bobby Crosby, Athletics
- NL: Jason Bay, Pirates
2005
- AL: Huston Street, Athletics
- NL: Ryan Howard, Phillies
2006
- AL: Justin Verlander, Tigers
- NL: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
2007
- AL: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
- NL: Ryan Braun, Brewers
2008
- AL: Evan Longoria, Rays
- NL: Geovany Soto, Cubs
2009
- AL: Andrew Bailey, Athletics
- NL: Chris Coghlan, Marlins
2010
- AL: Neftali Feliz, Rangers
- NL: Buster Posey, Giants
2011
- AL: Jeremy Hellickson, Rays
- NL: Craig Kimbrel, Braves
2012
- AL: Mike Trout, Angels
- NL: Bryce Harper, Nationals
2013
- AL: Wil Myers, Rays
- NL: Jose Fernandez, Marlins
2014
- AL: Jose Abreu, White Sox
- NL: Jacob deGrom, Mets
2015
- AL: Carlos Correa, Astros
- NL: Kris Bryant, Cubs
2016
- AL: Michael Fulmer, Tigers
- NL: Corey Seager, Dodgers
2017
- AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees
- NL: Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
2018
- AL: Shohei Ohtani, Angels
- NL: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
2019
- AL: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
- NL: Pete Alonso, Mets
2020
- AL: Kyle Lewis, Mariners
- NL: Devin Williams, Brewers
2021
- AL: Randy Arozarena, Rays
- NL: Jonathan India, Reds
2022
- AL: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners
- NL: Michael Harris II, Braves
2023
- AL: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
- NL: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks
2024
- AL: Luis Gil, Yankees
- NL: Paul Skenes, Pirates
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