NEW YORK — In one of baseball’s most meaningful honors, where players recognize their peers’ excellence, the 2025 Players Choice Awards have crowned Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brent Suter as the headliners in this year’s ceremony.
Since 1992, these awards have carried special weight throughout Major League Baseball, as they represent the ultimate peer-to-peer recognition. With voting conducted by accounting firm KPMG in September among all players, the honors celebrate both on-field dominance and off-field leadership.
Raleigh’s Historic Season Earns Top Recognition
Cal Raleigh claimed the sport’s highest individual honor, taking home both Player of the Year and American League Outstanding Player awards after a historic campaign that rewrote multiple record books. The switch-hitting catcher didn’t just break barriers — he shattered them, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 20 or more home runs from both sides of the plate in a single season.
The North Carolina native’s power surge led the American League in both home runs and RBIs while posting an impressive .948 OPS. His defensive prowess behind the plate remained elite throughout the season, and he capped his remarkable year by winning the All-Star Game Home Run Derby.
Raleigh beat out an impressive field of finalists, including Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani and Yankees captain Aaron Judge, to claim the sport’s premier peer-voted award.
League Award Winners Showcase Elite Talent
In the National League, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber earned Outstanding Player honors after a monster season that saw him lead the circuit with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs. The left-handed hitter made history by crushing 23 homers off left-handed pitching, breaking a major league record previously shared by Stan Musial and Matt Olson. His second 50-homer season in Phillies history fell just two short of Ryan Howard’s franchise record.
On the mound, Tarik Skubal continued his dominance for the Detroit Tigers, winning AL Outstanding Pitcher after claiming his second consecutive ERA title with a 2.21 mark. His exceptional command was on full display with a remarkable 241-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and he became the first pitcher in the majors to reach 200 strikeouts.
Pirates ace Paul Skenes earned NL Outstanding Pitcher honors in his second professional season, following up his stellar rookie campaign with another sub-2.00 ERA (1.97). The former No. 1 overall pick struck out 216 batters in 187 2/3 innings and became the first Pirate starting pitcher to earn All-Star Game honors since Jerry Reuss in 1975.
Rookies Make Immediate Impact
Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz dominated among first-year players, claiming AL Outstanding Rookie after leading all rookies in home runs (36), RBIs (86), OPS (1.002), and WAR (5.4). The Wake Forest product made history on July 25 with a jaw-dropping 6-for-6 performance that included four home runs in a single game.
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin took NL Outstanding Rookie honors after an impressive debut that saw him lead National League rookies in RBIs (80), batting average (.274), and OPS (.810). He became the first rookie catcher since Geovany Soto in 2008 to record at least 35 extra-base hits and 78 RBIs.
Comeback Stories Inspire
Jacob deGrom earned AL Comeback Player recognition after injuries limited him to just nine starts over his first two Rangers seasons. The veteran right-hander returned to his dominant form, posting a franchise-record 0.93 WHIP for qualified pitchers and earning his first All-Star selection since 2021.
Ronald Acuña captured NL Comeback Player honors after rebounding from a 2024 season limited to 49 games. The dynamic Braves outfielder posted a .935 OPS in 95 games to earn his fifth All-Star selection in seven years.
Off-Field Excellence Recognized
Brent Suter won the prestigious Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, recognizing leadership that inspires others to higher achievement. The Cincinnati native has been a steadfast MLBPA player representative while using his platform to advocate for environmental causes and engage with youth organizations in his hometown.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola earned the Players Trust Philanthropist of the Year Award after donating $1,000 per strikeout — totaling $197,000 — to Team Red, White and Blue during the 2024 season. His continued support for veterans and ALS research earned him the ALS Association’s Volunteer Impact Award.
The Curt Flood Award, honoring historic contributions to player rights, went to Scott Sanderson and Don Baylor as co-recipients. Sanderson’s leadership during the 1994-95 strike and Baylor’s counsel through six work stoppages over 19 seasons cemented their legacies in labor history.
As baseball looks ahead, these awards remind us that sometimes the most meaningful recognition comes not from writers, broadcasters, or fans — but from those who know the game best: the players themselves.