With the Major League Baseball season getting under way with the league-wide Opening Day ceremonies beginning on Thursday, we’re taking the time to make some bold predictions for the coming year. Previously, we looked at how the
National League might shape up in the coming months. Now, let’s turn our attention to the American League.
After making a run to the World Series last year, the Yankees are dealing with some injuries and departures that make the AL a wide-open conversation this year. Let’s get into the division races and individual awards in the junior circuit for 2025.
Standings Predictions
American League East
- Baltimore Orioles
- New York Yankees
- Boston Red Sox
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees will be without Gerrit Cole for the entire season and Luis Gil for a while to start the year—and Juan Soto is now with the Mets—so the door is wide open for the rest of this division to make a run. Baltimore was in the mix the entire season last year and has the young horses in the lineup and depth to make it happen this year.
American League Central
- Kansas City Royals
- Cleveland Guardians
- Detroit Tigers
- Minnesota Twins
- Chicago White Sox
Is this the year the Royals finally climb to the top of the Central? The Guardians won’t be an easy out, and the Tigers should be even better this year, but Kansas City has made strategic moves around some really good young pitchers and hitters to make them the team to beat in this division. Meanwhile, the White Sox might be worse than their historically bad team a year ago.
American League West
- Houston Astros
- Seattle Mariners
- Texas Rangers
- Sacramento A’s
- Los Angeles Angels
Will the West really finish with the exact same standing as it did last year? It certainly looks like it should, even with some of the departures in Houston. Seattle had a shockingly quiet offseason, and the Rangers didn’t make many moves to improve, either. The A’s playing in Sacramento will make them a fascinating team to watch, however.
Wild Card Predictions: New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Mariners
Individual Award Predictions
MVP Prediction: Bobby Witt Jr., RoyalsWitt finished as the runner-up to Aaron Judge last year, and there’s a great chance they’re battling for the award down the stretch again this year. However, Judge no longer has Juan Soto in the lineup in the Bronx. Witt is emerging as a bona fide superstar in Kansas City and a division crown could put him over the top.
Cy Young Prediction: Logan Gilbert, Mariners
Gilbert received some votes last year and could make a jump to the top of the list this year if he can help the Mariners make the playoffs. Last year, Gilbert led the league in starts (33), innings pitched (208.2), and WHIP (0.887). Reigning winner Tarik Skubal won’t give the award away quietly, and Cole Ragans could make a strong case if the Royals win the Central Division as well.
Rookie of the Year Prediction: Cam Smith, Astros
Smith was the centerpiece of the trade that sent superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs this winter. A third baseman drafted out of Florida State by the Cubs in 2024, he appears to be in line to not only make the unprecedented jump from college to MLB within one year, but he might be the Astros’ starting right fielder on Opening Day. He has light tower power and put on a show in Spring Training.
Manager of the Year Prediction: Matt Quatraro, Royals
Winning the Central Division would likely make Quatraro a lock for the award, and the Royals have a great shot at doing that this year. Brandon Hyde in Baltimore could also be in the mix if the Orioles win their division as well.
