The 2025 American League MVP race has turned into a wild photo finish between two strikingly different superstars—Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh. Just a few weeks ago, Judge looked like a lock for his third MVP in four years, holding overwhelming odds.
But then Raleigh’s late-season surge changed everything. What once felt like a coronation for Judge is now a tense battle between statistical dominance and narrative-driven power, and fans everywhere are glued to every at-bat.
A Clash of Styles: Judge’s All-Around Brilliance vs. Raleigh’s Historic Power
At first glance, Judge’s resume screams MVP. The Yankees’ captain leads the entire major leagues in a jaw-dropping list of offensive categories: batting average (.326), on-base percentage (.451), slugging (.672), OPS (1.123), OPS+ (209), and WAR.
His production checks every analytical box for value. Without Judge, the Yankees might not even sniff the playoffs.
Raleigh’s Home Run Heroics
Meanwhile, Cal Raleigh has captured baseball’s imagination with his home run barrage. The Mariners’ switch-hitting catcher has launched 58 homers and driven in 121 runs—a feat that’s even more remarkable considering the demands of catching.
He’s already broken records for most homers by a catcher and most by a switch-hitter, blowing past Mickey Mantle’s famed 1961 total of 54.
The Historical Chase
What makes Raleigh’s run so special? He’s chasing a milestone that could put him among the all-time greats. If he reaches 60 home runs, he’ll join an exclusive club:
- Babe Ruth
- Roger Maris
- Aaron Judge
- Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire (though those last three have the PED cloud hanging over them)
What the Experts Say
Analysts have set the bar for Raleigh’s MVP hopes. If he gets to 60, it’s a coin flip; 62 probably wins it; 63 would be the highest total in AL history without any PED asterisks—and honestly, that would almost certainly seal the deal.
The Value Argument: Impact Beyond the Numbers
Judge’s supporters lean on advanced stats showing his unmatched all-around value. They’ll remind you that losing him could sink the Yankees’ playoff dreams.
Raleigh’s camp fires back with his combination of power, defensive skill, and leadership. He ranks among the league’s best at pitch framing and fielding while handling one of the toughest gigs in baseball.
Team Success and MVP Voting
There’s just a one-game gap between the Yankees and Mariners. The old MVP debate about “team success” doesn’t really apply this year.
Both teams are playoff-bound, so the spotlight falls on the players themselves and the history they’re chasing.
The Final Week: Opponents and Opportunities
The season’s last six games will shape the story. Raleigh and the Mariners get six home games—three against the struggling Rockies pitching staff and three against the playoff-bound Dodgers.
Judge’s Yankees face the White Sox and Orioles, both of whom have had middle-of-the-pack pitching since the All-Star break. It’s all there for the taking.
Will Voter Fatigue Play a Role?
One wild card is voter psychology. Judge already owns two AL MVPs in the last three seasons, so maybe some voters are itching for a new headline—especially if Raleigh gets to 60 or beyond.
The Battle for Baseball’s Top Honor
It’s rare to see an MVP race go down to the wire with such contrasting stories. Judge stands for statistical supremacy—a guy who dominates every offensive metric and steers his team’s fate.
Raleigh brings historic spectacle—legendary power at a demanding position, with a real shot to rewrite the record books. Who’s it gonna be? That’s the beauty of it—nobody really knows yet.
Our Final Take
The 2025 AL MVP race might just hinge on a single question. Will voters go for Judge’s steady brilliance, or get swept up by Raleigh’s jaw-dropping home run surge?
The next week could tip the scales. This whole thing feels like one of the wildest award chases baseball’s had in ages.
Fans are loving it. It’s a mix of history, stats, and flat-out thrill.
Whether Judge keeps rolling or Raleigh rewrites the books, this MVP race shows why baseball’s top individual award still gets hearts pounding.
Here is the source article for this story: Aaron Judge vs. Cal Raleigh: How Mariners catcher can win AL MVP
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