MLB Awards: deGrom and Acuna Jr. Shine as Comeback Players

Post by : Mara Rahim

In a spectacular MLB awards ceremony in Las Vegas, Jacob deGrom of the Texas Rangers received the American League Comeback Player of the Year award. The 37-year-old pitcher boasts a remarkable track record that includes two Cy Young Awards and a Rookie of the Year title. This latest recognition further enriches his illustrious career.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery, deGrom had a limited presence in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, making just three appearances for Texas in September 2024. However, he made a triumphant return in 2025, finishing the season with a commendable 12-8 record and a 2.97 ERA across 30 starts, along with 185 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings. Notably, this performance secured him his fifth All-Star selection.

Meanwhile, Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves was honored as the National League Comeback Player of the Year. After missing most of the 2024 season due to a torn left ACL, Acuna made a strong comeback, hitting .290 with 21 home runs and 42 RBIs over 95 games in 2025. He becomes the second Braves player in succession to earn this accolade, following his teammate Chris Sale.

Shohei Ohtani, recently crowned the National League’s Most Valuable Player, also took home the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award for the fifth consecutive year. The Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way sensation showcased his prowess with a .282 batting average, 55 home runs, and 102 RBIs, leading the league in total bases (380) and slugging percentage (.622). Additionally, Ohtani clinched the Hank Aaron Award, marking his third straight win for the best offensive player in the NL.

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge earned the AL Hank Aaron Award, leading MLB with a .331 average, 53 home runs, and 114 RBIs. He dominated the league stats with a .457 on-base percentage and an OPS of 1.144, securing this prestigious award for the third time.

Milwaukee Brewers' general manager Matt Arnold made history as the first two-time recipient of the Executive of the Year Award, having guided the Brewers to an impressive best record in MLB at 97-65. Boston’s Aroldis Chapman was honored with the Mariano Rivera Award as the AL's top reliever, accumulating 32 saves, a 5-3 record, and a 1.17 ERA, while Edwin Diaz from the New York Mets earned the Trevor Hoffman Award as the NL's leading reliever with 28 saves and a 1.63 ERA.

The 2025 All-MLB First Team boasted illustrious names like Judge, Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Jose Ramirez, while the Second Team featured notable talents such as Cody Bellinger and Kyle Schwarber. Both the Seattle Mariners and Philadelphia Phillies led the selections, each represented by four outstanding players, indicative of their stellar seasons.