Aaron Judge Leads AL MVP Race—But an Injury Could Open the Door for Cal Raleigh
As the 2025 MLB season heats up, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge remains at the forefront of the American League MVP race. The 33-year-old outfielder is putting together another dominant campaign, reminiscent of his historic 2022 season when he hit 62 home runs. This year, he again leads the league in nearly every major offensive category—home runs, RBIs, slugging, OPS, and runs scored—and his OPS+ is approaching legendary territory.
However, Judge’s MVP push may be complicated by a recent minor injury. The Yankees revealed that he has been dealing with tightness in his lower back, which caused him to sit out a couple of games in late May. While the team has described the injury as precautionary and not serious, any time missed could impact his MVP chances, especially in a tight race.
Waiting in the wings is Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who is gaining serious ground in MVP consideration. ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle ranks him second in the latest projections behind Judge.
Raleigh is having a breakout year both offensively and defensively. He’s hitting above .250—his best mark so far—and ranks among the top home run hitters at the catcher position. More impressively, Raleigh has significantly improved his plate discipline, cutting down his strikeouts and drawing walks at an elite rate.
His all-around impact is undeniable. He’s among the American League’s top five in advanced metrics like fWAR and AXE value, and leads all catchers in isolated power. Defensively, he remains one of the best in the league, excelling in pitch framing, game-calling, and throwing.
While Judge still appears to be the favorite, especially if he remains healthy, Raleigh’s full-package performance is narrowing the gap. If Judge’s back issue lingers or sidelines him again, Raleigh could be in prime position to take the lead. Moreover, Raleigh’s value stretches beyond offense—he’s arguably the most complete player in the AL right now.
Historically, catchers rarely win MVP honors—Joe Mauer in 2009 was the last to do so in the AL—but Raleigh’s blend of power, defense, and leadership is forcing voters to reconsider what defines a Most Valuable Player.
Judge is still in the driver’s seat, but Raleigh is right behind him—and this race is far from over.
