Cal Raleigh Deserved the 2025 AL MVP Over Aaron Judge

The race for the 2025 American League MVP was one of the most talked-about debates in recent baseball memory. It came down to two monster seasons — Cal Raleigh’s record-breaking year behind the plate and Aaron Judge’s offensive dominance for the Yankees.

In the end, Judge barely edged out Raleigh in the voting. Still, looking at the numbers and the context, it’s hard not to wonder if Raleigh’s season will be the one people remember most.

A Historic Season for Cal Raleigh

Catching is already brutal, but Raleigh just kept raising the bar. His 60 home runs didn’t just lead MLB — they absolutely destroyed the old catcher record of 48.

He also broke Mickey Mantle’s record for most homers in a season by a switch-hitter, which, honestly, seemed impossible until now. Add in his 125 RBIs and you’ve got a stat line that would make any MVP-winning catcher jealous.

Raleigh’s bat changed everything for the Mariners, driving in runs and shifting the entire mood of the team’s season.

Defensive Excellence Beyond the Numbers

It’s tempting to focus on Raleigh’s home runs, but MVP voters look at the full picture. Defensively, he was more than solid — he was elite.

He ranked sixth in Defensive Runs Saved, showing off his skills in pitch framing, blocking, and keeping runners honest. Even better, he caught more innings than anyone else without a passed ball. That’s consistency you just don’t see every year.

Managing a pitching staff all season and still putting up historic offense? That’s a rare combination. Raleigh pulled it off in a way few catchers ever have.

The Case for Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge’s MVP win came from sheer offensive firepower. He picked up 17 first-place votes to Raleigh’s 13, and in stats like batting average, on-base percentage, and OPS, Judge stood out.

His bat stayed hot from April through September, keeping the Yankees in the playoff hunt even as the season got rocky.

Reduced Defensive Role

Judge’s defense took a back seat this year, mostly because of injuries. He was the designated hitter in 56 games, which helped keep him healthy but meant he wasn’t in the field for more than a third of the season.

That opened the door for Raleigh, whose full-time catching duties made a pretty strong argument when you stack up total contributions.

Why Raleigh Deserved Stronger Consideration

The original analysis made a good point: hitting is celebrated with things like the Hank Aaron Award, but MVP is supposed to go to the best all-around player. Raleigh’s 2025 season gave us historic offense plus elite defense at one of the toughest positions.

There’s something about the story, too. Raleigh carried the physical and mental load of catching all year and still hit like a star. Judge, meanwhile, just couldn’t contribute as much defensively, making his MVP win a little controversial.

The Legacy of the 2025 MVP Race

Years from now, fans and analysts will look back on 2025 not just for Judge’s win, but for Raleigh’s wild, unforgettable run. His season basically set the standard for what a catcher can do in modern baseball.

He reminded everyone that elite defense and record-breaking offense can actually happen together, even at one of the game’s toughest positions.

• 60 home runs — most ever by a catcher
• New switch-hitter record, breaking Mickey Mantle’s mark
• 125 RBIs, among best totals for MVP-winning catchers
• Ranked sixth in Defensive Runs Saved
• No passed balls, even though he caught more innings than anyone else

Sure, Judge took home the trophy, but Raleigh’s mix of power, endurance, and defensive brilliance will stick in baseball history. Some fans will always wonder if the 2025 MVP should’ve been wearing Mariners teal instead.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Why Cal Raleigh Should Have Won 2025 AL MVP Over Aaron Judge