Hank Aaron Award Finalists

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October 6, 2025

Major League Baseball announced the 20 finalists for the prestigious Hank Aaron Award on Monday afternoon. The distinction is given to the best offensive player in each league.

First given out in 1999, the award is meant to preserve the legacy of the late Hank Aaron. In 23 major league seasons, Aaron hit 715 home runs, a record that stood for 33 years. He also won three gold gloves, two batting titles, one MVP, and a World Series title.

American League Finalists

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OF Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins

After injuries plagued the first decade of his career, Buxton played 126 games in 2025, the second most he’s ever played. Buxton mashed 35 home runs and 83 RBI, both of which were career highs. His .878 OPS was also top ten in baseball.

3B Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays

In his first full big-league season, Caminero did not disappoint. At 22 years old, he hit 45 home runs, becoming the fourth-youngest player ever to have a 40-home run season.

OF Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers

On a Tigers team that made back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since, Greene was the unquestioned star of the group. In 157 games, Greene hit 36 home runs with 111 RBI, both of which were top ten in baseball.

1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

Despite agreeing to a contract extension two weeks into the season, Guerrero had another great campaign in 2025. His .292 batting average paced the Blue Jays, and his 23 home runs gave him his fifth straight 20+ home run season.

OF Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

Another year, another incredible campaign for Aaron Judge. After hitting 53 home runs, Judge became only the fourth player ever with four different 50+ home run seasons. His .331 batting average and 1.144 OPS both led baseball as well.

1B Nick Kurtz, Athletics

Even though he didn’t join the Athletics until late April, Kurtz had a rookie season for the ages. His 1.002 OPS was the third highest in baseball, and his 36 home runs ranked in the top 10. Most impressive, though, was his four-home run game against the Astros in July that put the baseball world on notice.

C Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

Affectionately known as “Big Dumper,” Raleigh had the single greatest season by a catcher in major league history. His 60 home runs led baseball, but they also set the single-season home run record for a catcher, switch-hitter, and Mariner.

3B Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

A model of consistency at the hot corner, Ramirez had another great campaign in 2025. With 30 home runs, Ramirez recorded his fifth career 30-home run season. His 44 stolen bases were also the second most in baseball.

OF George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays

After a lackluster 2024 campaign, it seemed like Springer’s best days were behind him. However, at age 35, he rebounded with his best season since 2019. Springer’s .309 batting average and .959 OPS were both top four in baseball, while his 32 home runs and 84 RBI were his most as a Blue Jay.

SS Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

Already one of the game’s best young talents, Witt put together another impressive campaign in 2025. His .295 batting average was ninth-best in baseball, and his 38 stolen bases gave him his fourth consecutive 30+ stolen base season.

National League Finalists

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1B Pete Alonso, New York Mets

For the second straight season, Alonso played all 162 games for the Mets. His 126 RBI were the second most in baseball, and his .272 average was a career high.

OF Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks

After a disappointing 2024 season, Carroll returned to form in 2025. He set career highs in home runs and RBI with 31 and 84, while also stealing 32 bases.

DH Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers

In his second season with the Dodgers, Ohtani impressed once again. He clubbed 55 home runs, while posting the second-best OPS in baseball at 1.014. His plate discipline also improved, as Ohtani drew a career-best 109 walks.

SS Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks

A relative unknown going into the season, Perdomo cemented himself as one of baseball’s best shortstops in 2025. His 100 RBI and .292 batting average were both top fifteen in baseball, and his 20 home runs were a career high.

OF Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

Following three consecutive seasons of 38 home runs or more, Schwarber outdid himself in 2025. He led baseball in RBI with 132 while hitting 56 home runs, a career high.

OF Juan Soto, New York Mets

He might’ve started slow, but Juan Soto had quite the freshman season in Queens. A year after hitting a career best 41 home runs, Soto eclipsed that mark with 43 in 2025. Most impressive, though, was his work in between the base paths. Despite not stealing more than 12 bases in a season before 2025, Soto led the National League with 38 stolen bases.

OF Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres

Tatis enjoyed another quality campaign in 2025, hitting 25 home runs with 71 RBI. He also set a career high in stolen bases with 32.

OF Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs

The Cubs’ prized acquisition of the offseason, Tucker had his fifth consecutive 20+ home run season in 2025. He also led the Cubs in OBP with a .377 mark.

SS Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies

In his third season in Philadelphia, Turner won the National League batting title with a .304 average. His 179 hits were also the most on the Phillies.

OF Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers had the best record in baseball in 2025, and Yelich was a big reason why. The former National League MVP had his best season since 2019, hitting 29 home runs and 103 RBI.

Announcement of Winner

The winner of the 2025 Hank Aaron Award will be announced on November 13 at the MLB Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fan voting is open and will close on Sunday, October 12 at 11:59 pm Eastern. Fans can vote as many times as they wish until the deadline. The fan vote, as well as input from multiple Hall of Famers, will decide the winners.