As the holiday season wraps up, Major League Baseball has already distributed its accolades for 2025. A range of awards have been given out, including:
- BBWAA Awards (MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year)
- All-MLB First and Second Teams
- Hank Aaron Awards
- Roberto Clemente Award
- Gold Glove Awards
- Silver Slugger Awards
- LCS and World Series MVP Awards
- Outstanding DH Award
- Comeback Players of the Year
- Relievers of the Year
- Players Choice Awards (Player of the Year, Outstanding Player, Outstanding Pitcher, Outstanding Rookie, Comeback Player)
This extensive range of honors highlights exceptional performances across the league.
While no further physical awards will be unveiled, it’s time to acknowledge those players who had stellar seasons yet missed out on recognition by presenting our annual All-Awardless Team.
Shea Langeliers from the Athletics had a robust season with a .861 OPS and 31 home runs. However, we chose to spotlight William Contreras for his significant impact in helping the Brewers achieve the best record in MLB. Even while dealing with a fractured finger, he posted a .754 OPS—ranking fifth among catchers—and logged the second-most defensive innings. His performance included key homers that propelled the Brewers past rival teams.
Another notable player, Busch, substantially improved in 2025 with a .866 OPS, placing third among first basemen. His offensive metrics were impressive, showcasing reduced strikeout rates and high expected slugging percentages. Despite finishing 16th in the NL MVP voting, his contributions were vital as the Cubs returned to the postseason after several years.
Donovan showcased his versatility and offensive strength, tallying a .775 OPS with 42 extra-base hits. His performance caught the eye of trade interest during the offseason. Trea Turner had a standout year despite a hamstring injury, securing the Phillies’ batting title with a .304 average and also achieving multiple other offensive milestones.
While James Wood of the Nationals made an All-Star appearance with 31 homers, Soderstrom’s impressive .276/.346/.474 line went largely unnoticed. Facing the challenge of positional changes, he excelled during his season, showing promise as he adapted to new roles on the field.
Despite knee issues limiting his appearances, Polanco delivered an outstanding .821 OPS as a designated hitter, highlighted by crucial October performances. Abbott, a deserving All-Star, stood out with a 2.87 ERA, marking him among the top pitchers for those with considerable innings pitched. Although this All-Awardless Team features multiple Brewers and players from the NL Central, it reflects how their collective efforts contributed to impressive season outcomes.
MANAGER: John Schneider, Blue Jays
Generally, we don’t include managers in the All-Awardless Team, but Schneider’s exceptional season with the Blue Jays deserves recognition. Although the Guardians’ Stephen Vogt claimed AL Manager of the Year honors, Schneider led his team from the bottom of the standings to a division title, showcasing remarkable leadership that culminated in a strong postseason run.
