Kyle Schwarber, Aaron Nola win MLBPA Players’ Choice Awards
Oct 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Phillies will likely have a few players finish just short of some of the big-name awards for 2025, specifically Kyle Schwarber for MVP and Cristopher Sanchez for Cy Young.
However, the Phils have two players who will come home with some hardware.
Kyle Schwarber was named the NL Outstanding Player, and Aaron Nola was awarded the Players’ Trust Philanthropist of the Year, voted upon by fellow MLB players as part of the MLBPA Players’ Choice Awards.
Schwarber hit 56 regular-season home runs, including a league-best 132 RBI in a career year for the 32-year-old now free agent. Schwarber also played in all 162 games and won the MVP at the All-Star Game after going three for three in the extra-inning swing-off.
Schwarber just beat out likely MVP Shohei Ohtani. Schwarber hit one more home run than Ohtani, but the two-way sensation still had 55 homers with an NL-leading 1.014 OPS, along with pitching a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts.
Schwarber and the Phillies lost to Ohtani and the Dodgers in the NLDS, and will most likely fall just short of him in the MVP voting as well. At least he beat him out for something.
Cal Raleigh brought home the AL’s Outstanding Player.
Nola, on the other hand, did not have a very good 2025 campaign, but was very successful off the field with his charity work.
He raised $225,000 for Team Red, White, and Blue at a charity poker tournament he hosted at Citizens Bank Park this past May. Nola, over his 11 years in Philadelphia, has been active in the cause for ALS research and is a supporter of Philabundance.
Here is the full list of the 34th annual Players’ Choice Award winners:
Player of the Year: Cal Raleigh, Mariners
Marvin Miller Man of the Year: Brent Suter, Reds
Philanthropist of the Year: Aaron Nola, Phillies
Curt Flood Award: Don Baylor and Scott Sanderson
AL Outstanding Player: Cal Raleigh, Mariners
NL Outstanding Player: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
AL Outstanding Pitcher: Tarik Skubal, Tigers
NL Outstanding Pitcher: Paul Skenes, Pirates
AL Outstanding Rookie: Nick Kurtz, Athletics
NL Outstanding Rookie: Drake Baldwin, Braves
AL Comeback Player: Jacob deGrom, Rangers
NL Comeback Player: Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
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