2025 was a season where the race for the American League MVP title was hotter than ever — and when the final results were announced, the entire baseball world was still stunned by how close Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh were. With 17 first-place votes compared to Raleigh’s 13, Judge won by a total of 355 points to 335.
But behind that shock were a series of “hidden stats” that few people noticed — statistics that weren’t on home-run or RBI reports, but had a broader impact, throughout the entire season.
Judge not only hit 53 home runs — a huge number — but also dominated a host of other offensive numbers: he finished the season with a slash line of .331/.457/.688, leading the AL in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging. His OPS was 1.144 — a rare milestone — and his total bases and wRC+ were also outstanding.
These numbers speak to one thing: Judge is not only explosive — home runs — but also durable, diverse, and consistent in all aspects of offense: singles, power hits, getting on base, creating runs, and constantly putting pressure on the opponent.
Meanwhile, although Raleigh stunned everyone with 60 home runs and 125 RBI — numbers that few catchers can match — his batting average was lower (.247), and his on-base and slugging were far behind Judge. For voters, this all-around superiority — from average, OBP, SLG, to overall stats — became the basis for choosing someone they believed was “more all-around value.”
But it wasn’t as simple as offensive numbers. Raleigh is a catcher — baseball’s most loaded position — and a switch-hitter, and this season he absolutely shattered all records: his 60 homers were the most home runs ever for a catcher and switch-hitter.
Moreover, Raleigh does much of the work of managing the pitching staff, reading pitches, and coordinating games — intangible contributions that WAR or OPS hardly fully reflect. Many argue that with that burden, and with a history of 60 HR + 125 RBI + playing a key role in helping the team win the division, he deserves more.
Many — Mariners fans, analysts — argue: in terms of role, overall impact, Verona has done more than enough to bring MVP to Seattle. But for voters, “all-around offensive value” is still the more important criterion.
The 20-point gap (355 – 335) between Judge and Raleigh is the smallest for the AL MVP since the 2019 race between Mike Trout and Alex Bregman.
That means: if just two journalists voted for Judge the first time and changed to Raleigh, the result would have been completely different. A single vote — and the 2025 MVP history would have been transferred to someone else.
This has divided public opinion into two camps: one side praises Judge for his comprehensive, consistent performance throughout the season; the other side regrets Raleigh — who brought a historic, weighty season, but lost by… a few votes.
The 2025 MVP race isn’t just about home runs or RBIs: it’s about “value,” “all-around impact,” “season-long consistency,” and even the voters’ personal opinions: which factor do they value more — explosiveness or well-roundedness?
Judge represents the well-rounded, consistent player who can contribute in every way — from OBP to slugging, from running bases to creating pressure. Raleigh represents strength, an extraordinary effort from the catcher position — a contribution that cannot be overlooked.
The 2025 MVP result — Judge won — reflects that choice. But given the fragile gap and the historical stature of both, it can be said: no number — visible or hidden — can quell the controversy.
And you — whose side are you on? Do you think the MVP should be awarded to explosiveness and leadership like Raleigh, or to well-roundedness and consistency like Judge?
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