What's Happening?
The Milwaukee Brewers, despite achieving significant success in the 2025 Major League Baseball season, were notably underrepresented in the official awards. The team, which led the league with 97 wins
and reached the National League Championship Series (NLCS) for the first time since 2018, saw only their manager, Pat Murphy, receive a major accolade as the National League Manager of the Year. In response to this oversight, MLB.com created an 'All-Awardless' team to honor players who were deserving of recognition but did not receive any official awards. The Brewers had three players named to this team: William Contreras as catcher, Sal Frelick in right field, and Abner Uribe as a relief pitcher. These players were acknowledged for their impressive performances, with Contreras and Frelick ranking highly in fWAR at their positions and Uribe leading one of the best bullpens in baseball.
Why It's Important?
The recognition of Brewers players in the 'All-Awardless' team highlights a broader issue of award distribution and recognition in Major League Baseball. Despite their achievements, the Brewers' lack of official awards could impact team morale and public perception. This situation underscores the challenges smaller market teams face in gaining recognition compared to larger market teams. The acknowledgment by MLB.com, although unofficial, provides some validation for the players' efforts and may influence future considerations in award voting. It also brings attention to the need for a more inclusive and representative award system that fairly acknowledges talent across all teams.
What's Next?
While the 'All-Awardless' recognition is a step towards acknowledging overlooked talent, it remains to be seen how this will affect future award considerations. The Brewers and their players may use this as motivation to continue performing at a high level in the upcoming seasons. Additionally, this could spark discussions within MLB about the criteria and processes for award nominations and selections, potentially leading to reforms that ensure a more equitable distribution of accolades. The Brewers' management might also leverage this recognition to boost team morale and fan engagement, emphasizing the team's achievements despite the lack of official awards.
