In the 2025 MLB season, two of baseball’s biggest superstars kept making history. Shohei Ohtani, the two-way phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers, grabbed his second straight National League MVP award—unanimously, no less.
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees picked up his third American League MVP in four years. He keeps building his case as one of the game’s most dominant hitters. Let’s dig into their seasons, look at the bigger picture, and maybe wonder just how much these guys are changing baseball right now.
Ohtani’s Unanimous NL MVP Triumph
When Shohei Ohtani is rolling, it’s tough to argue there’s ever been a more complete player. He swept all 30 first-place votes, leaving no doubt for voters or fans, and beat out Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies and Juan Soto of the Mets.
This win gives Ohtani four MVPs in his career. Only Barry Bonds, with seven, has more.
A Two-Way Masterclass
Ohtani’s season? Pretty wild. As a designated hitter, he put up a .282/.392/.622 slash line, cracked 55 home runs, and stole 20 bases.
He even returned to the mound midseason, posting a 2.87 ERA and striking out 62 hitters in just 47 innings. That combo of elite hitting and strong pitching led to a 9.4 FanGraphs WAR, highest in the NL.
It’s hard to find anyone who’s impacted the game on both sides quite like Ohtani. The unanimous MVP just shows how far ahead of the pack he really is.
Judge’s AL MVP Dominance
Over in the American League, Aaron Judge flexed his offensive muscle again. He won his third MVP in four seasons, beating Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Cleveland’s José RamÃrez.
Judge led all of MLB in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging. His line: a .331 average, 53 home runs, and a 215 OPS+ across 152 games.
The Historical Feat of Cal Raleigh
Judge stole the headlines, but Cal Raleigh’s 2025 deserves a spotlight too. Raleigh smashed 60 home runs, with 49 as a catcher—a new single-season record for the position.
His bat powered the Mariners to their first AL West division title since 2001. That late-season surge from Raleigh was something else, but Judge’s steady dominance all year was just too much to top.
Defining Baseball’s Modern Era
Ohtani and Judge aren’t just racking up awards—they’re changing what greatness looks like in today’s game. Their seasons mixed historic production with serious athleticism. It’s no wonder they’ve become the faces of baseball for a whole new generation.
Legacy and Records in Sight
Ohtani’s fourth MVP puts him within reach of Barry Bonds’ all-time mark. Judge’s third puts him among the American League’s all-time greats.
Honestly, it feels like both could add more MVPs before they’re done. Watching Ohtani’s two-way brilliance and Judge’s relentless power, you can’t help but think we’re seeing something special—maybe even unprecedented.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 season just hammered home, again, how baseball’s best can shake up the record books every single year. If Ohtani stays healthy and Judge keeps showing that mix of patience and raw power, honestly, who knows what’s next?
Sure, these awards confirm their place among the elite. Still, greatness? That’s a moving target, and these guys aren’t done chasing it.
Even with all the analytics and wild new strategies, Ohtani and Judge remind us: the basics—hitting, pitching, fielding—still matter most. Some things don’t need reinventing.
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Here is the source article for this story: Shohei Ohtani Wins NL MVP 2025 Award, Full MLB Voting Results
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