Aaron Judge appeared to be the clear favorite to claim his third AL MVP award this season, but that outlook has shifted as Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh intensifies the race. Raleigh’s impressive offensive output has made the Aaron Judge AL MVP competition more contested heading into the final stretch of the 2025 campaign.

Cal Raleigh’s breakout performance challenges Aaron Judge’s dominance

Through 78 games, Judge has delivered 28 home runs and 62 RBIs while maintaining a remarkable .367 batting average. In contrast, Cal Raleigh has surpassed Judge in key power statistics, hitting 32 home runs—four more than Judge—and driving in 68 runs, exceeding Judge’s RBI total by six. Although Raleigh’s batting average sits lower at .278, his overall offensive contributions have been a standout in a season where catching prospects have generally struggled.

Unlike many of the league’s young catchers such as Gabriel Moreno and Francisco Alvarez, who have not met expectations this year, Raleigh and Dodgers catcher Will Smith stand out as rare exceptions. Their strong performances at the plate have drawn attention not only from fans but also from respected analysts inside the sport.

Mets legend Ron Darling highlights significant catchers’ offensive struggles

On MLB Now this past Monday, Mets legend Ron Darling provided a sobering perspective about the state of catching in the major leagues. Darling pointed out the rarity of Raleigh’s and Smith’s success amid a broader decline in offensive production from catchers.

“But I want to put this in perspective, guys: where have all the catchers gone? I mean, judge him by the rest of his brethren in the major leagues, right? Smith has had a fantastic season—it’s being overshadowed by Cal,” Darling said. “But, the Gabriel Morenos, the Francisco Alvarezes, the other young catchers we thought were going to make a big leap—have not.

“And look at the difference between what Raleigh and Smith are doing compared to the rest of the league. So we have to ask ourselves the question: is too much being put on their plate? Is it too difficult in today’s game to be able to manage and call a game, and at the same time be an offensive player?”

Exceptional hitting sets Raleigh and Smith apart from the rest of the league

Cal Raleigh and Will Smith are setting themselves apart from other catchers in the MLB with their remarkable offensive output throughout 2025. Raleigh, notably, broke a long-standing record by hitting 29 home runs before the All-Star break, achieving this milestone in only 73 games and surpassing Johnny Bench’s previous mark of 28 homers in 87 games. With Raleigh on pace to challenge the highest single-season home run total ever recorded by a catcher (48), his overall offensive value is reflected in a 191 weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) and approximately 5.1 wins Above Replacement (fWAR).

Will Smith, meanwhile, has excelled in contact hitting, posting a .328 batting average, nine home runs, two stolen bases, and 68 RBIs. His offensive production translates to a 172 wRC+. In stark contrast, most catchers across the league struggle to maintain a batting average around .240 or exceed an OPS of .750. Outside of Raleigh and Smith, none come close to the power-hitting level of 30+ home runs or the impressive .969 OPS maintained by Smith.

The wider implications for the MVP race and catcher performance in MLB

As Raleigh continues to deliver at an elite level, the Aaron Judge AL MVP competition has become increasingly competitive, challenging Judge’s previously unassailable position. Beyond the individual race, the surge from Raleigh and the sustained excellence of Smith raise important questions about modern-day catching roles—balancing the demanding defensive responsibilities with offensive production. Darling’s concerns highlight that achieving success in both areas may be more challenging than ever, which makes the performances of these two players even more remarkable.

The coming months will be crucial as Judge, Raleigh, and Smith push toward season’s end, with the AL MVP award hanging in the balance. Raleigh’s momentum signals a potential shift in the MVP conversation, while Judge’s consistent hitting and reputation ensure he remains firmly in contention. Observers will likely continue to monitor whether Raleigh can maintain his pace and if more catchers in the league can rise to meet these high offensive standards.