The 2025 American League MVP race is shaping up to be one for the ages. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is putting together a historic season, smashing home run records left and right, while New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge continues to build on his legacy with another dominant all-around campaign. Both players have led their teams to the postseason—but who truly deserves the league’s highest individual honor?
Cal Raleigh: A Season for the Record Books
Cal Raleigh hitting 60 while the whole stadium is on their feet chanting MVP could be straight out of a movie? pic.twitter.com/29UV56JITI
— Big League Digest (@BigLeagueDigest) September 25, 2025
Raleigh is having the best season of his career—and arguably one of the most memorable in recent MLB history. The Mariners slugger made headlines by becoming the first player in MLB history to hit multiple home runs in a game against 10 different opponents in a single season. He broke the single-season home run record for a switch hitter, surpassing Mickey Mantle, and then toppled the most iconic record in Mariners history—Ken Griffey Jr.’s 56-home-run season.
On Wednesday, Raleigh blasted home run numbers 59 and 60, becoming just the fourth American League player to reach the 60-homer mark. The only others to do it? Babe Ruth (60), Mickey Mantle (61), and Aaron Judge (62). He’s now in elite company.
Raleigh’s home run progression tells the story of steady growth: 27 in 2022, 30 in 2023, 34 in 2024, and now 60—and counting—in 2025. He’s evolved into one of the most dangerous power hitters in the game.
Despite slumping through July (.194 AVG) and August (.173), Raleigh has caught fire in September, hitting .296 with 10 home runs and 18 RBIs. His surge helped push Seattle past Houston to clinch their first AL West Division title since 2001.
Aaron Judge: The Consistent Force
51st Rakes. @TheJudge44 ? pic.twitter.com/4zek4fwU1F
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 25, 2025
“All Rise” for the Captain. Aaron Judge continues to do what he does best—dominate. With the Yankees on the cusp of back-to-back AL East crowns and another potential World Series run, Judge remains the engine powering New York’s postseason hopes.
On Wednesday, Judge launched his 50th and 51st home runs of the season—his fourth career 50+ HR campaign. He remains the only American League player to hit 62 home runs in a season, a mark that Raleigh is now threatening.
Judge has played in all but 10 games this year, and though that absence may have cost him a few long balls, he’s having the best offensive season of his career. As of Thursday, he leads the AL with a .330 batting average, putting him in line for his first batting title.
His numbers are staggering:
HR: 51 (2nd in AL)
Runs: 134 (1st)
RBIs: 109 (T-4th)
Walks: 123 (1st)
OBP: .457 (1st)
SLG: .683 (1st)
OPS: 1.140 (1st)
Judge does it all—power, plate discipline, and leadership—and he’s again among the most valuable players in the sport.
Verdict: Who Deserves the 2025 MVP?
When Aaron Judge won MVPs in 2022 and 2024, the competition wasn’t close. In 2022, he hit 62 home runs with 131 RBIs and a 1.111 OPS, easily outpacing Shohei Ohtani’s 34 home runs and .875 OPS. In 2024, Bobby Witt Jr. had a solid campaign, but Judge’s 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, and 1.159 OPS made him the clear choice.
This year, though, the conversation is different.
Raleigh is having a Judge-like season—and possibly an even more memorable one. While Judge may have the edge in overall statistics and consistency, Raleigh’s historic power surge, his role in ending Seattle’s 24-year division title drought, and the possibility of surpassing Judge’s AL home run single season record,
all give him a compelling case.
Judge is, and always will be, that dependable slugger who sets the standard for excellence. But Raleigh’s 2025 campaign is the kind of narrative-driven, record-breaking season that voters often gravitate toward.
If Raleigh reaches or passes 63 home runs and continues his September tear, it may be impossible to deny him his first MVP award.
And honestly? He would deserve it.
