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The AL MVP race is heating up between Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, the reigning MVP, and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who just led Seattle to a playoff berth with a historic season.
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On Wednesday, Judge launched his 51st home run of 2025, strengthening his case as MLB’s top hitter, while Raleigh smashed his 60th homer to headline Seattle’s 9-2 win over the Rockies.
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Advanced stats like Fangraphs’ WAR give Judge an edge, but Raleigh’s value as a catcher in a demanding role could sway voters who consider contributions beyond pure hitting numbers.
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ESPN’s Jeff Passan admitted he would vote for Judge but feels conflicted, noting MLB has long undervalued catchers, and metrics like WAR fail to fully reflect their overall defensive impact.
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Raleigh’s storyline advantage is undeniable, powering the Mariners into contention while transforming into one of baseball’s most dangerous sluggers and captivating voters with his breakout rise.
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Judge’s consistency still sets him apart, but Raleigh’s dual role of slugger and field general makes him a compelling candidate, keeping the MVP battle fierce until the season’s end.
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