Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was unanimously named the 2025 National League MVP on November 13, marking his fourth career award and third consecutive win. Ohtani beat out Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber and New York Mets' Juan Soto with a dominant two-way season. In the American League, New York Yankees' Aaron Judge secured his third MVP over Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh.
The Baseball Writers' Association of America announced the 2025 MVP awards on Thursday night in Las Vegas, with Ohtani sweeping all 30 first-place votes for a perfect 420 points in the National League. This victory places him alongside Barry Bonds as only the second player with four MVP awards, behind Bonds' record seven. Ohtani's prior wins came in 2021 and 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels in the AL, followed by 2024 and now 2025 in the NL, making him the first to earn multiple MVPs in both leagues.
Ohtani, 31, delivered an exceptional season as both hitter and pitcher. At the plate, he slashed .282/.392/.622 with 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, 25 doubles, and nine triples. He led MLB in runs scored (146) and total bases (380), while topping the NL in slugging percentage (.622) and OPS (1.014) with a 179 OPS+. His position-player WAR was 6.6 per Baseball Reference, ranking eighth overall.
Returning to the mound on June 16 after September 2023 elbow surgery, Ohtani made 14 starts over 47 innings, posting a 2.87 ERA, 145 ERA+, 62 strikeouts, and nine walks for 1.1 pitching WAR. His combined WAR reached 7.7 (Baseball Reference) or 9.4 (FanGraphs), leading the NL per the latter metric. "The biggest thing is obviously being able to win the World Series," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "It's icing on the cake to be able to get an individual award... I just really appreciate the support from all my teammates."
Schwarber led the NL with 56 home runs and MLB with 132 RBIs, hitting .240/.365/.563 for 4.7 WAR. Soto set career highs with 43 home runs and 38 stolen bases, slashing .263/.396/.525 for 6.2 WAR.
In the AL, Judge earned 17 first-place votes to Raleigh's 13, totaling 355-335 points for his second straight and third MVP in four years. Judge led MLB with a .331 batting average, 53 home runs, .457 OBP, .688 SLG, and 1.144 OPS, plus 114 RBIs—achieving a modern Triple Crown in those categories. He joined Hall of Famers Jimmie Foxx and Mickey Mantle as the only players to lead in batting average with 50-plus homers. Despite an elbow injury, Judge said, "You just got to suck it up and go out there and play."
Raleigh set records with 60 home runs as a catcher and switch-hitter, leading the AL with 125 RBIs, while excelling defensively as the 2024 Platinum Glove winner. The Mariners won their first division title since 2001 and reached the ALCS. Third-place José Ramírez (Guardians) received 224 points.
Voting occurred before the postseason, focusing on regular-season performance. The Dodgers won the World Series, though it did not influence the award.