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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.