2025 MLB Awards Update – MVPs & Cy Young Leaders

Memorial Day is the official start of the summer for many. In parts of the Northeast and Midwest, the weather isn’t exactly cooperating just yet, but soon enough temperatures will soar and so will several MLB stars.

The 2025 season awards – MVP and Cy Young – are the kings of the MLB individual accolades. Many of the names haven’t changed from a year ago, but there are some new faces making some noise in the betting markets. 

Looking for a solid play in one of these futures markets? Let’s take a look at the updated markets for both the AL and NL MVP and Cy Young awards.

AL MVP – Judge or Bust?

Whether you like it or not, you have been effectively priced out of this market. This is Aaron Judge’s award to lose. He won the award last year after batting .322 with 58 home runs and a career best 144 RBI. That earned him the overall betting favorite spot when this market opened after last season.

On January 1, you could bet Judge to win the AL MVP at +250 at BetOnline sportsbook. Then, Judge started the 2025 season on a tear. He hit .508 in April and is currently toying with the .400 mark. As of May 29, Judge was batting .391 with 18 home runs and 47 RBIs. That’s why you’ll find him listed at anywhere between -3000 and -6500 to win the AL MVP.

Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. is given +2500 odds, and he is certainly one of the best players in MLB. However, his numbers – .290 average, 5 homers, 30 RBI – pale in comparison to Judge. The same can be said for Cal Raleigh, Gunnar Henderson, Jose Ramirez, Wyatt Langford, and Spencer Torkelson. All are enjoying solid seasons, but none compare to Judge. All five players are listed at +8000 in this market.

NL MVP – Ohtani Again

Three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani is at it again. He might even get back on the mound before the season’s end. Ohtani won the AL MVP in 2023 then won last year’s NL MVP and a World Series ring with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

So far in 2025, Ohtani is batting .292 with an MLB-best 20 home runs and 35 RBIs. Those numbers are great for anyone, but Ohtani is doing it by hitting out of the leadoff spot in the Dodgers order. 

Like the AL MVP market, Ohtani is slowly becoming less of a value pick at -200. On January 1, Ohtani was priced at +175 as the overall betting favorite in the market. He has competition, primarily from Padres SS Fernando Tatis (+700). Pete Crow Armstrong is an intriguing pick. The Cubs youngster is batting .280 with 15 homers and 50 RBI. He’s third on the board at +1000.

AL Cy Young – Skubal Favored

Like the AL MVP, the AL Cy Young runs through Detroit P Tarik Skubal. Last season, Skubal captured the AL Cy Young after going 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and accumulating 164 strikeouts in 149.1 innings. 

He picked up where he left off last season and is 5-2 through 11 starts in 2025. He’s among the league leaders with a 2.49 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 68.2 innings. It was a no-brainer when Skubal was installed as the 2025 AL Cy Young betting favorite. On January 1, you could have bet Skubal at +425 to repeat. At the end of May, most sportsbooks are now listing the Tigers ace at -120 to -125.

Max Fried is certainly deserving of being part of the discussion. The Yankees star is 7-0 with an MLB-leading 1.29 ERA. He’s been virtually unhittable all season. Fried is second on the board at +500 odds. Garrett Crochet (+750) is 4-4 with a 2.09 ERA and Hunter Brown (+800) is 7-3 with an even 2.00 ERA and an MLB-high 9 quality starts. 

Skubal has the edge with Fried a possibility as both the Tigers and Yankees lead their respective divisions. Crochet’s Red Sox are below .500 right now and Houston is in second place in the AL West.

Value in NL Cy Young Market

Where you can find the best value right now is probably the NL Cy Young market. Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes is the favorite at +180, but the Pirates are one of the worst teams in baseball. That’s why Skenes record is 4-5 so far in 2025. He has a solid 2.15 ERA and is tied with Brown with 9 quality starts. 

Zack Wheeler is having himself a stellar season and is now given +350 odds to win the NL Cy Young. Wheeler is 6-1 with a 2.42 ERA. Prior to a start against Atlanta on May 29, Wheeler had a streak of 22.2 consecutive innings without allowing a run. His Phillies are leading the NL East right now.

Philadelphia won the division last year but lost in the NLDS to the Mets. The Phillies lost in the NLCS in 2023 and the World Series in 2022. The point, of course, is that Wheeler will have an advantage over Skenes because he may help the Phillies to another division title, potential pennant, and even another possible World Series berth.

The Dodgers Yoshinobo Yamamoto is another strong value bet. He’s listed at +280 at sportsbooks and is 6-3 with a 1.90 ERA so far in 2025. He should have strong numbers, and his Dodgers are the favorite to repeat as World Series champs.