The 2025 MLB season has come to a close, opening one of the most dramatic debates in the Eastern League: who is most deserving of this year’s AL MVP title – the iconic Aaron Judge or the explosive Cal Raleigh? FOX Sports’ team of experts has made harsh comments, and both “incarnations of baseball” have their own reasons to assert themselves as the brightest choice.
Aaron Judge: The Face of an Empire
It’s no coincidence that Aaron Judge is considered the “lord of the hit field” – this season, he continues to dominate the important stats: .331 AVG, 53 homers, 114 RBI, leading the entire league in OPS 1.144 and 137 runs. Long remembered for his legendary 62-homer seasons, Judge has proven himself to be an indispensable cog in the New York Yankees.
The two-time MVP has shown consistency over time: when he is “missing,” the Yankees have a hard time competing for a title. That’s a point that legend Derek Jeter emphasized – Judge not only scores runs but also changes the team’s fortunes.
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Cal Raleigh: The “Obsession” of the starting system
If Judge is a symbol of stability, Cal Raleigh is a symbol of explosion. Nicknamed “The Big Dumper,” Raleigh broke the Seattle Mariners’ record for catching two homers from both sides of the field, and hit 60 four-run home runs – a number previously only achieved by Ken Griffey Jr. Raleigh also led all catchers with 125 RBIs, helping the Mariners to the top of the AL West and secure the second seed.
Raleigh’s status was more than just his performance, as he played as a starter – a position that rarely produces such an impact. “159 games and still playing at a high level is unbelievable,” said the legendary David Ortiz.

Alex Rodriguez firmly believes Judge is the MVP: “.331 AVG, 53 HR, 114 RBI, 1.144 OPS – Judge is on another level, those numbers speak for themselves.”
Ortiz, on the other hand, still supports Raleigh: “He did something that was almost impossible – he hit 60 homers while playing as a catcher.”
Jeter said, “Judge is the soul of the Yankees, and Raleigh is the most unexpected inspiration in the league.”
For now, this year’s MVP is a battle between tradition and modernity – between the “steadfast giant” Judge and the “record-breaking benefactor” Raleigh. One is a New York baseball classic, the other is a Seattle icon and the future. Unlike every year, the 2025 MVP race is not just about individual honors but also about generational transition and team-building philosophy.
If Judge is about security and stability, Raleigh is about excitement and surprise. Both have one thing in common: making a strong impact on the team. The question is, will the MLB jury choose an eternal icon or a timeless phenomenon?
Are you still confused? Imagine the story: a “hitting machine” and a “record-breaking man” are facing a decision that will define the entire season.
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