Aaron Judge Leads AL MVP Race Over Cal Raleigh Amid Historic Home Run Chase

The 2025 American League Most Valuable Player (AL MVP) race is intensifying between New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. Judge boasts superior overall offensive stats, including a .321 batting average, .442 on-base percentage, and a 1.103 OPS, leading the AL in several categories, while Raleigh leads the league with 53 home runs and 113 RBIs, setting a record for home runs by a primary catcher. Despite Judge's offensive edge and higher WAR metrics, Raleigh's exceptional power numbers, defensive contributions, and role as a catcher—a demanding position—add significant value, giving him a strong case for the award. Raleigh's historic season, including winning the home-run derby and anchoring the Mariners' playoff push, presents a compelling narrative that could sway voters, especially considering Judge's previous MVP wins in 2022 and 2024. The race remains close as team success and voter fatigue may influence the final decision, with Judge favored but not guaranteed the trophy. As the regular season approaches its conclusion, the AL MVP battle stands as one of baseball's most captivating storylines.