2025 All-Awardless MLB Team: Standouts Who Still Lack Awards

Every winter, MLB’s official awards season leaves a trail of snubs and near-misses. 2025 was no different.

The MVPs, Cy Young winners, and Rookies of the Year grabbed all the headlines. Meanwhile, a whole cast of standout performers quietly turned in elite seasons without any hardware to show for it.

That’s where the league’s annual “All-Awardless Team” steps in. It’s a nod to the players and a manager whose impact was undeniable, even if their trophy cases stayed empty.

The 2025 All-Awardless Team: Recognizing Overlooked Excellence

This unofficial honor roll highlights players who combined production, resilience, and postseason impact. They just happened to get overshadowed by flashier narratives or stacked award fields.

From a catcher playing through a fractured finger to a manager engineering a worst-to-first turnaround, the 2025 All-Awardless Team shows off the depth of star power that went unrewarded.

William Contreras: The Heart of Milwaukee’s Machine

Position: Catcher – Milwaukee Brewers

William Contreras did everything short of winning a major award in 2025. He played through a fractured finger—an injury that would sideline most catchers—and still finished fifth in OPS among backstops.

He anchored a Milwaukee club that posted MLB’s best record. Contreras paired his offensive thump with much-improved defense, managing a pitching staff that ranked among the league’s best.

His blend of toughness, production, and leadership made him a clear All-Awardless pick. Honestly, he’s one of the most valuable catchers in the game right now.

Michael Busch: Breakout Bat on the North Side

Position: First Base – Chicago Cubs

Michael Busch’s 2025 season finally gave the Cubs the breakout they’d been hoping for. With an .866 OPS and a sparkling 140 wRC+, he became a middle-of-the-order force.

He finished 16th in NL MVP voting and helped Chicago return to the postseason for the first time since 2020. That production, combined with steady defense at first, gave the Cubs lineup a reliable cornerstone.

He didn’t sniff MVP, but his performance fueled real playoff hopes.

Brendan Donovan and Trea Turner: Versatility and Star Power Up the Middle

Position: Utility – Brendan Donovan, St. Louis Cardinals
Position: Shortstop – Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies

Brendan Donovan kept being one of baseball’s most valuable Swiss Army knives. He played all over the diamond, delivered a well-rounded offensive profile, and his elite flexibility quietly stabilized St. Louis’ lineup and defense.

Trea Turner, on the other hand, put up a season that would usually come with hardware. The Phillies shortstop won a batting title, swiped 36 bases, and really stepped up his defense.

His ability to impact the game in every way—hitting, running, fielding—made him one of the league’s most complete players in 2025. It’s a bit baffling that voters looked elsewhere.

Eugenio Suárez and Tyler Soderstrom: Corner Power Threats

Position: Third Base – Eugenio Suárez, AL
Position: Outfield – Tyler Soderstrom, Oakland Athletics

Eugenio Suárez turned back the clock with a thunderous power display. He slugged 49 home runs and anchored his club’s offense.

His defining moment came in October: a grand slam in the ALCS that instantly entered postseason highlight reels. Despite the heroics and massive power numbers, he ended up on the outside looking in when awards were handed out.

On the flip side, Tyler Soderstrom gave the rebuilding Athletics a genuine building block. He launched 25 homers, played strong defense in the outfield, and did it all with barely any national spotlight.

For a franchise searching for future stars, Soderstrom offered a real glimpse of hope.

Trent Grisham and Sal Frelick: Defensive Gems with Offensive Punch

Position: Center Field – Trent Grisham, New York Yankees
Position: Right Field – Sal Frelick, Milwaukee Brewers

Trent Grisham’s 2025 campaign with the Yankees was a full-on career revival. Known for his glove, he suddenly added an .812 OPS and elite plate discipline, turning into a complete player in the Bronx spotlight.

His performance earned him a lucrative qualifying offer. That says a lot about his renewed value.

In right field, Sal Frelick gave Milwaukee yet another Awardless Team rep. His balanced offensive game and elite defense made him a key part of the Brewers’ dominant season.

Bigger names got more attention, but Frelick’s consistency played a huge role in Milwaukee finishing with MLB’s best record.

Jorge Polanco: Injured, but Indispensable

Position: Designated Hitter – Seattle Mariners

Even with injuries limiting his season, Jorge Polanco provided the Mariners with real middle-of-the-order thunder. As a DH, he supplied power and presence.

When October rolled around, he delivered clutch moments that swung games in Seattle’s favor. Polanco’s production wasn’t gaudy enough for top award consideration, but the value when he was healthy—and the timing of his biggest hits—made a real impact.

Andrew Abbott and Abner Uribe: Pitching Without Plaques

Role: Starting Pitcher – Andrew Abbott, Cincinnati Reds
Role: Reliever – Abner Uribe, Milwaukee Brewers

Andrew Abbott quietly emerged as one of the NL’s most effective left-handed starters. His 2.87 ERA and standout ERA+ put him among the best by run prevention metrics.

He got an All-Star nod, but that was about it. Cy Young competition was just too stiff this year.

In the bullpen, Abner Uribe was a rock for Milwaukee. He led MLB in holds and thrived in the high-leverage bridge role, often facing the heart of opposing orders.

That kind of work rarely shows up in awards voting, but it’s the backbone of any elite pitching staff. Sometimes, the most valuable guys are the ones you don’t see on the podium.

John Schneider: From Last to First Without the Trophy

Role: Manager – John Schneider, Toronto Blue Jays

John Schneider took over as manager of the Blue Jays and pulled off a pretty wild turnaround. Toronto climbed from last place to first in the brutal AL East while he called the shots.

He made sharper in-game decisions, kept the clubhouse together, and juggled the bullpen like a pro. It was a season where you could just feel the difference on the field and in the dugout.

Even with that worst-to-first run, Schneider finished just shy in Manager of the Year voting. Funny how some of the best work in baseball happens away from the bright lights, right?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Here is the 2025 ‘All-Awardless’ team