Aaron Judge seemed headed for a surefire MVP in 2025. The Yankees slugger leads in advanced metrics such as OPS+, wRC+ and AXE (153), as well as producing 31 more runs with 68 fewer outs than his rival. His numbers support the candidacy of a player who remains the offensive linchpin for New York.
Raleigh breaks records and wins narrative
But the emergence of Cal Raleigh has ignited the competition. The Mariners catcher not only broke the single-season home run record for catchers, but is also on the verge of surpassing Mickey Mantle’s legendary mark as a switch hitter. With FanGraphs ranking him as the fourth most valuable defender in the American League, his impact goes beyond hitting. For many voters, Raleigh’s story weighs as heavily as the statistics.
The big question is whether Raleigh can keep up the pace. Since the All-Star break, he is hitting just .208, a clear sign of physical wear and tear from the demands of catching. If his offense continues to decline and Seattle loses ground in the playoff race, Judge could make up lost ground and seal the MVP that seemed his from the start.
Jacob Wilson, the rookie who is chasing the batting crown
Meanwhile, a third name is added to the drama: Jacob Wilson, the young Oakland player who is looking to take the batting title away from Judge. After a surge with a .346 average in the last seven games, Wilson raised his line to .319, just behind Judge’s .321. His emergence is reminiscent of figures such as Bobby Witt Jr. and Luis Arraez, reinforcing his projection as a rising star.
With Judge holding the Yankees’ offense, Raleigh chasing 60 home runs and Wilson fighting for the batting crown, the American League is experiencing one of its most thrilling finishes in years. The MVP, the batting title and the historical narrative are at stake. Baseball once again offers a September where every at-bat can define the legacy of its protagonists.
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