Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber was named a finalist for the National League Most Valuable Player Award Monday night. Cristopher Sanchez was also named a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award, while Rob Thomson also became a finalist for the NL Manager of the Year Award.
According to published reports, Kyle Schwarber was named a finalist for the National League's Most Valuable Player Award.
At the same time, Cristopher Sanchez was named a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award, while Rob Thomson also became a finalist for the NL Manager of the Year Award.
The season might not have ended the way the Philadelphia Phillies wanted it to, but they are still in contention for some post-season hardware to be proud of.
CBS Sports reported the news of the three Phillies becoming finalists.
Schwarber was named a finalist for the first time in his career. He led the Phillies to the NL East crown for the second season in a row. Schwarber was third-time All-Star in 2025 and belted 56 home runs, which led the NL batsmen. He also drove in 132 runs, which was the best in baseball.
The free-agent to be slashed .240/.365/.563 on the season and had a .928 OPS, which tied his career high that he set in 2021. Schwarber has earned votes for MVP each season he has worn the red pinstripes in Philadelphia.
Sanchez, meanwhile, was an unexpected key contributor for the Phillies pitching staff. He spelled Zach Wheeler when the ace was knocked out of the box with an injury that would ultimately cost him the season. Sanchez made the most of the opportunity.
In 2024 he finished 10th in Cy Young Award voting. In 2025 he went 13-5 and maintained a 2.50 ERA. His 212 K's in 202 innings was the seventh best in baseball. He also had a 1.06 WHIP.
Sanchez was named a finalist alongside Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes and World Series Most Valuable Player and Los Angeles Dodgers star Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The winner will be named on Nov. 12.
Thomson was named a finalist for NL Manager of the Year after stewarding the Phillies to their second straight NL East title. Thomson replaced the deposed Joe Girardi as manager and led the Phillies to the playoffs in each of his three full seasons with the club. They also went to the World Series in 2022.
There was some speculation Thomson would not return to Philadelphia after losing to the Dodgers in the playoffs, but those rumors have been squashed.