Judge and Ohtani Lead MVP Poll; New NL Contender Emerges

The 2025 MLB season is at its midpoint, and the MVP debates are heating up across the American and National Leagues.

Aaron Judge has been an offensive juggernaut, dominating the American League with historical milestones and jaw-dropping stats. On the other side, Shohei Ohtani keeps captivating the National League by redefining the boundaries of two-way excellence.

While both are leading the MVP polls in their respective leagues, other contenders like Cal Raleigh, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Tarik Skubal are making significant cases for themselves. It’s shaping up to be an exciting race for baseball’s most prestigious individual honor.

American League: Judge’s Historic Season Leads the MVP Race

Aaron Judge headlines the AL MVP conversation with MVP-worthy stats and unforgettable moments. With 35 first-place votes, he’s batting over .350 and leads MLB with a phenomenal 1.175 OPS.

He’s rewriting Yankees history by surpassing Lou Gehrig for third place in multi-homer games. Judge’s dominance isn’t just statistical—it’s historical, and he looks set to solidify his legacy among the greats.

Cal Raleigh: The Underdog Powerhouse

Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh is a name you really can’t ignore. He owns the top spot on the MLB home run leaderboard with 33 homers.

Raleigh is chasing historic home run records and making waves in the AL MVP race. His combination of power and durability keeps him second in the polls, and honestly, it’s one of the most compelling underdog stories this season.

José Ramírez and Tarik Skubal Round Out the Top Five

Cleveland’s José Ramírez has surged up to third place in the AL MVP vote with his trademark consistency at the plate. Meanwhile, Tarik Skubal, Detroit’s reigning Cy Young winner, is doing what few pitchers ever manage—he’s entered the MVP conversation.

With a remarkable 2.15 ERA and a 33.4% strikeout rate, Skubal’s dominance has earned him a spot among the league’s top five contenders. For a pitcher to get this kind of MVP buzz, it really says a lot about his impact.

National League: Ohtani Redefines Greatness

In the National League, there’s no name bigger than Shohei Ohtani. He keeps awing fans and analysts with his ability to dominate as both a hitter and pitcher.

Ohtani leads the MVP poll with 29 home runs, a blistering .633 slugging percentage, and 1.021 OPS. He recently returned to pitching and already sports a 2.25 ERA on the mound, which just underscores his unique value to the game.

Pete Crow-Armstrong: Rising Star of the Cubs

Pete Crow-Armstrong has become an emerging force in the Cubs’ resurgence. His dazzling all-around play has rocketed him up the MVP rankings.

With 21 home runs, 25 steals, and Gold Glove-caliber defense, he’s become the backbone of a Chicago team currently leading the NL Central. Crow-Armstrong’s blend of speed, power, and defensive brilliance puts him right in the thick of the MVP race.

Kyle Tucker, Juan Soto, and James Wood Compete for Top Spots

Kyle Tucker, Crow-Armstrong’s teammate, is following close behind in the NL MVP polls. His recent offensive hot streak has pushed him up to third place.

Juan Soto, after a slow start, remains a potent presence with his elite plate discipline. Meanwhile, James Wood keeps impressing as a two-way player known for both power and defense, earning him a spot in the top five.

The MVP Race: Will Judge and Ohtani Continue to Dominate?

Looking ahead to the second half of the season, the MVP race feels wide open. Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have set the pace, but it’s not like challengers such as Cal Raleigh and Pete Crow-Armstrong are just sitting back.

These guys are closing the gaps with some pretty impressive performances. Historic benchmarks are looming, and the races in both leagues seem tighter than they’ve been in years.

Key storylines to watch:

• Can Cal Raleigh chase down home run records and catch up to Judge in the AL MVP race?
• Will Tarik Skubal, pitching his heart out, really stay in the MVP conversation?
• Could Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker pull the Cubs up to a divisional title and boost their own MVP chances?
• How much will Ohtani’s pitching matter when you stack it next to his wild offensive numbers?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Judge, Ohtani remain atop MVP poll, but a fresh name in NL appears