A betting analyst highlights five MLB futures for 2026: Wyatt Langford to win AL MVP (+4000) amid an improved Rangers lineup; Sal Stewart for NL Rookie of the Year (+700) after a strong spring in Cincinnati; the Detroit Tigers to win the World Series (+2200) thanks to a solid rotation and added offense; Don Kelly for NL Manager of the Year (+750) with a Pirates run at contention; and Nick Kurtz to lead the Regular Season in homers (+1700) in a hitter-friendly park.
Kon Knueppel remains the Kia Rookie Ladder leader in a tightening ROY race, edging ahead of Cooper Flagg thanks to durability and Charlotte’s stronger win total, while Knueppel’s deep shooting and efficiency keep him ahead (he’s leading in 3-pointers and flirting with 50/40/90-level accuracy). VJ Edgecombe stays third; Dylan Harper and Derik Queen sit 4th and 5th, with other rookies like Ryan Nembhard and Hugo González making notable contributions as voters prepare for ROY decisions in about six weeks (stats through March 3).
Kon Knueppel has delivered a more impactful rookie season for the Hornets than Cooper Flagg for the Mavericks, posting superior shooting efficiency, an elite rookie three-point rate, and strong win shares, while Flagg—though the top-two pick—has a high-usage role that hurts his efficiency. The race is razor-thin and influenced by injury and perception, but Knueppel’s all-around impact makes a case for him as RoY over the hype surrounding Flagg.
Oakland has reportedly offered Nick Kurtz a long-term extension as the A’s plan for a Vegas era, with Kurtz expressing interest but timing uncertain; his ROY-winning rookie season and five years of team control drive the discussion, with analysts suggesting a deal in the $150M+ range could be needed to lock him up now.
Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 200 made 3-pointers, accomplishing the feat in 58 games, while leading rookies with 201 threes this season and helping Charlotte push toward a play-in spot.
The 15th NFL Honors will honor finalists across MVP, Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive/Defensive Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player, Coach, and Assistant Coach, with Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees announced as part of the ceremony. Finalists include MVP contenders Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye, Christian McCaffrey and Matthew Stafford; Defensive Player of the Year candidates Will Anderson, Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons and others; Offensive Player of the Year finalists Drake Maye, Christian McCaffrey, Puka Nacua, Bijan Robinson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba; Offensive Rookie finalists Jaxson Dart, Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson, Tetairoa McMillan and Tyler Shough; Defensive Rookie nominees Abdul Carter, Nick Emmanwori, James Pearce, Carson Schwesinger and Xavier Watts; Comeback Player finalists Stefon Diggs, Aidan Hutchinson, Trevor Lawrence, Christian McCaffrey and Dak Prescott; Coach of the Year includes Liam Coen, Ben Johnson, Kyle Shanahan, Mike Vrabel and others. The ceremony, hosted by Jon Hamm, airs 9 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock from San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts, with NBC Sports providing full coverage.
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is one of six finalists for the 2025 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year Award. Fans can vote through Jan. 30 at nfl.com/rookies, with the winner announced during Super Bowl LX Week. Dart led all rookie quarterbacks in rushing yards (487), rushing touchdowns (nine) and posted a 91.7 passer rating, and would become the third Giants player to win the award after Jeremy Shockey (2002) and Saquon Barkley. He previously earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.
ESPN's NFL Nation has named former Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter as the Bengals' Rookie of the Year candidate, highlighting his impressive debut season with 98 tackles, an interception, and significant defensive responsibilities after being drafted in 2025.
Paul Skenes of the Pirates won the NL Cy Young Award unanimously, becoming the second pitcher to win it the year after earning Rookie of the Year, and joining a select group of pitchers with such achievements. He joins a list of notable NL Cy Young winners and is the third Pirates pitcher to win the award. Skenes's 10-10 record is among the fewest wins for a Cy Young winner in a full season, and he is the first to win unanimously since the award's current voting system was adopted in 2010.
Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves won the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year, earning his team a bonus draft pick in 2026 due to his full-season performance and awards. Baldwin, a top prospect, excelled offensively and contributed significantly despite some defensive criticisms. The award also impacted team and player service time considerations, notably benefiting Cade Horton and Caleb Durbin in their career timelines.
Nick Kurtz of the Athletics was named the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year, earning a full year of service time despite a late start and injuries, thanks to his outstanding performance and the Prospect Promotion Incentive rules. His teammate Jacob Wilson and Roman Anthony of the Red Sox finished second and third in voting, with Anthony signing a significant extension and Wilson's rookie status affected by injury and service time rules.
Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves won the National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award, becoming the first catcher since 2010 to do so and the seventh overall in NL history, marking a significant achievement for the Braves with Baldwin being the only player on all ballots.
The article discusses the 2025 MLB awards, highlighting winners such as Tarik Skubal for AL Cy Young, Paul Skenes for NL Cy Young, Nick Kurtz for AL Rookie of the Year, and Drake Baldwin for NL Rookie of the Year, along with predictions and analysis for other major awards like MVP and Manager of the Year.
ESPN predicts early betting favorites for Week 9 NFL games, including the Colts covering against the Steelers, Cowboys covering against the Cardinals, Lions favored over Vikings, and Jaxson Dart as a Rookie of the Year pick, based on current odds and team analysis.
Fans are upset over the perceived disparity in how the WNBA announced the Rookie of the Year awards for Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark, with Bueckers receiving a more elaborate in-person presentation and customized merchandise, while Clark's announcement was more subdued, leading to accusations of unequal treatment.
