As the Major League Baseball regular season nears its end, the American League MVP race has taken a dramatic turn. Seattle Mariners’ catcher Cal Raleigh has exploded onto the scene in a way that has forced baseball fans and analysts alike to reconsider the frontrunner, Aaron Judge.
After a breathtaking performance where Raleigh crushed two home runs in a pivotal game that sealed the AL West title for Seattle, the narrative surrounding the MVP trophy has shifted sharply, putting Judge’s once seemingly secure case in jeopardy.
Aaron Judge has delivered a season packed with outstanding consistency and elite production. His slash line of .328/.455/.681, paired with an AL-leading OPS of 1.136, demonstrates the balance of power and discipline that makes him one of the most complete hitters in the game. Judge’s dominance is further reflected in his league-leading bWAR and fWAR totals.
His ability to draw walks at the highest rate in the league and maintain plate discipline makes him invaluable. Yet, injuries forced him to take on designated hitter duties in parts of the season, limiting his defensive impact. This is significant in an MVP race as close as this one, where every detail is magnified.
Meanwhile, Cal Raleigh has quietly rewritten the record books and energized his team in a way that transcends raw numbers. Catchers are known for the physical toll their position takes, and Raleigh has not only endured but thrived.
His recent milestone of 60 home runs in a single season is historic, as he is the first catcher in MLB history to achieve this and only the seventh player overall to reach such a figure. Alongside this, Raleigh leads the American League with 125 RBIs, demonstrating his clutch hitting and ability to drive in runs consistently.
On the night the Mariners clinched the AL West for the first time in 24 years, Raleigh’s two homers brought the stadium to a frenzy and spotlighted his critical role in the team’s success.
Raleigh’s historic and emotional impact
New York journalist Jon Heyman summed it up best: “Raleigh hit his 60th on the night the Mariners clinched the AL West. He and Judge are deserving of MVP, but very tough to argue against Raleigh now.”
The timing and significance of Raleigh’s achievement resonate deeply. It’s not just the numbers; it’s the narrative, with the catcher leading his team to a division crown, doing so in historic fashion, while showcasing both power and defensive grit.
Seattle manager Dan Wilson praised the team’s unity and resilience in a heartfelt speech, emphasizing “faith, hope, and love” as pillars of their success. After the game, Raleigh’s own words made clear his ambition: “Might as well win the whole f***ing thing!”
This combination of personality, power, and purpose electrifies the Mariners and has MLB fans reconsidering who truly deserves the MVP crown.
Judge still holds an advantage in advanced metrics, but Raleigh’s historic feats and emotional leadership have intensified the race. With just a handful of games left, the MVP contest has turned into a nail-biting showdown, one where Aaron Judge must remain vigilant as Cal Raleigh’s star rises ever higher.
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