Can Cal Raleigh’s 60 Homers Overcome Aaron Judge for MVP?

Cal Raleigh’s 2024 season will go down as one of the wildest feats in baseball history. The Seattle Mariners catcher just became the first player at his position in Major League Baseball to launch a jaw-dropping 60 home runs in a single season.

This record-setting power surge has thrown him right into the American League MVP race. Still, even with those mind-blowing numbers, Raleigh faces a tough challenge from New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, whose all-around offensive firepower and leadership keep grabbing MVP voters’ attention.

Cal Raleigh’s Historic Home Run Milestone

The catcher position usually gets attention for its defensive grind, not for lighting up the scoreboard. But Raleigh’s season has blown those old ideas out of the water.

His 60 home runs don’t just break records for catchers—they set a new standard for what’s possible behind the plate. Before this home run barrage, no catcher had even sniffed that number, so yeah, this is something we’ve never seen in MLB history.

Redefining the Role of the Catcher

Catcher has long meant “steady contributor,” not “offensive centerpiece.” Guys like Mike Piazza and Johnny Bench mashed plenty, but they never got close to what Raleigh’s doing.

By reaching the 60-homer mark, Raleigh has completely redefined what people expect from the position. Pitchers now have to rethink their approach every time he steps in, knowing a single mistake might end up in the seats.

The MVP Battle: Raleigh vs. Judge

Raleigh’s home run total is staggering, but the MVP race doesn’t come down to just one stat. Aaron Judge has been a rock in 2024, blending power with elite on-base skills and a knack for driving in runs.

He’s carried the Yankees’ offense during some pretty crucial stretches, and a lot of voters see that as absolutely invaluable.

What the Voters Will Consider

The MVP debate between Raleigh and Judge shows just how much the criteria for baseball awards have shifted. Voters now lean on advanced metrics like Wins Above Replacement (WAR), Weighted On-Base Average (wOBA), and Statcast data to get a fuller sense of a player’s impact.

• Historic Achievement: Raleigh’s 60 homers as a catcher is something we’ve never seen.
• Overall Offensive Output: Judge’s higher batting average and on-base percentage might tip the scales, even with Raleigh’s power.
• Team Contribution: Judge’s leadership and his role in pushing the Yankees toward the playoffs could matter a lot.
• Positional Context: Raleigh’s doing all this at one of the toughest positions in the sport, which adds serious weight to his case.

Traditional Stats vs. Modern Analytics

This MVP race really shows how baseball now balances old-school stats with modern analytics. Once upon a time, leading the league in home runs almost guaranteed MVP votes.

Now, voters look at things like OPS+, WAR, and run creation to get a more complete picture of a player’s value.

The Legacy of Raleigh’s 2024 Season

Even if Raleigh doesn’t end up winning MVP, his season will stick in people’s memories as a turning point for catchers. He’s shown that a player can deliver historic power from one of the game’s most demanding spots and still be a game-changing force.

This 60-homer feat might just inspire the next wave of catchers to chase bigger offensive numbers while keeping their gloves sharp.

Final Thoughts

The battle between Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge gives fans a fascinating look at today’s MVP race. It’s not just about home runs or batting averages anymore.

Now, it’s about the total value a player brings—on paper and in those moments you can’t quite measure. Whether voters end up picking Raleigh’s jaw-dropping power or Judge’s all-around game, there’s no denying Raleigh’s season made some serious waves in baseball.

Baseball’s built on tradition and numbers, but Cal Raleigh’s 2024 run? It shows us that sometimes, the old rules don’t really apply anymore.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Cal Raleigh makes history, but will the catcher’s 60 homers be enough to beat Aaron Judge for MVP?