Jacob deGrom and Ronald Acuna Jr. Honored as MLB Comeback Players

Major League Baseball (MLB) recently announced that Jacob deGrom and Ronald Acuna Jr. have been named the Comeback Players of the Year for their remarkable recoveries from injuries. This recognition was part of the league’s annual award ceremony, which also highlighted the achievements of other top players.

DeGrom, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, made his return to the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Although he made a few late-season appearances in 2024, his full comeback unfolded during the 2025 season with the Texas Rangers. In his age-37 season, he recorded a solid 2.97 earned run average (ERA) over 172.2 innings, striking out 185 batters in the process. DeGrom earned his fifth All-Star selection and finished eighth in the American League Cy Young voting, showcasing his enduring talent and resilience.

Acuna’s journey back to the field was equally impressive. After suffering a season-ending left knee injury from a second ACL tear on May 26, 2024, he made his return almost one year later, with the Atlanta Braves activating him from the injured list on May 23, 2025. Acuna quickly regained his elite form, hitting .290 with a .417 on-base percentage and .518 slugging percentage, including 21 home runs in just 95 games. Despite facing challenges, including a brief stint on the injured list due to right Achilles tightness, Acuna’s performance solidified his status as a key player for the Braves.

Other Notable Awards and Recognitions

The MLB awards ceremony also celebrated other standout performances. For the second consecutive year, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge took home MVP honors, reaffirming their positions as the league’s premier talents. Ohtani also secured the Hank Aaron Award as the best hitter and the Edgar Martinez Award as the top designated hitter.

In the relief pitching category, Aroldis Chapman and Edwin Díaz earned the respective titles of Reliever of the Year. Díaz, coming off a strong season with a 1.63 ERA in 62 appearances for the New York Mets, is set to be one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason. Chapman, who had an exceptional season with a 1.17 ERA over 61.1 innings, re-signed with the Boston Red Sox for $13 million in August, marking one of the highlights of his distinguished career.

Milwaukee Brewers President of Baseball Operations Matt Arnold was named Executive of the Year for the second straight season after leading the Brewers to an MLB-best 97 wins and a spot in the National League Championship Series, all while managing one of the lowest payrolls in the league at approximately $115 million.

First and Second Teams Announced

MLB also unveiled its first and second teams, recognizing the standout players at each position across both leagues. The First Team includes notable names such as:

– **Catcher**: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
– **First Base**: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
– **Second Base**: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks
– **Third Base**: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians
– **Shortstop**: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
– **Outfield**: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees; Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners; Juan Soto, New York Mets
– **Designated Hitter**: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
– **Starting Pitchers**: Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Garrett Crochet, Max Fried
– **Relief Pitchers**: Aroldis Chapman, Jhoan Duran

The Second Team features:

– **Catcher**: Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers
– **First Base**: Nick Kurtz, Oakland Athletics
– **Second Base**: Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers
– **Third Base**: Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays
– **Shortstop**: Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
– **Outfield**: Cody Bellinger, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong
– **Designated Hitter**: Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies
– **Starting Pitchers**: Cristopher Sanchez, Hunter Brown, Zack Wheeler, Freddy Peralta, Bryan Woo
– **Relief Pitchers**: Edwin Díaz, Andres Munoz

These recognitions highlight a season filled with extraordinary performances and significant comebacks, emphasizing the resilience and talent present in Major League Baseball.