Shohei Ohtani was a finalist for Player of the Year and National League Outstanding Player in the 2025 Players Choice Awards, but fell short in both categories.
Ohtani lost out to Seattle Mariners All-Star Cal Raleigh for Player of the Year. Raleigh had a record-setting 2025 season that saw him lead all of baseball with 60 home runs. That also was the most home runs ever hit by a Mariners player, switch-hitter and catcher.
The New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge was also a finalist for Player of the Year.
Ohtani was also a runner-up for NL Outstanding Player, which went to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber led the NL with 56 home runs and recorded a career-high 132 RBI in 162 games this season.
The New York Mets’ Juan Soto was another finalist for the NL Outstanding Player Award.
Ohtani hit .282/.392/.622 with 25 doubles, nine triples, 55 home runs, 146 runs scored, 102 RBI and a 172 wRC+ as the Dodgers’ designated hitter this season.
Pitching for the first time since 2023, he also added a 2.87 ERA with 62 strikeouts on the mound.
Although he fell short of both Players Choice Awards, Ohtani is considered the favorite to win the 2025 NL MVP.
Clayton Kershaw misses out on Players Choice Award
Clayton Kershaw was a finalist for the NL Comeback Player Award, but lost to Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves. Milwaukee Brewers teammates Brandon Woodruff and Christian Yelich were also finalists for NL Comeback Player in this year’s Players Choice Awards.
After appearing in only 49 games last season because of injuries, Acuña posted a .935 on-base plus slugging and 3.1 WAR this year.
Kershaw pitched to a 3.36 ERA in 112.2 innings and completed a major milestone along the way as he became the 20th pitcher in MLB history with 3,000 career strikeouts.
Kershaw, who announced plans to retire after the 2025 season, went out with a bang as he helped the Dodgers repeat as World Series champions.
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