The 2025 American League Most Valuable Player competition has effectively narrowed down to a battle between two standout players, with Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh rising as a notable challenge to reigning MVP Aaron Judge. Both players have excelled throughout the season, making them the primary focus for voters as the final weeks approach. Raleigh’s surge as a Cal Raleigh AL MVP contender has captured significant attention given his position and power numbers.

Aaron Judge’s Consistent Dominance Despite Setbacks

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees remains a dominant force this season, continuing his reign as the AL’s top player. Even after a short time on the injured list just weeks ago, Judge sports an outstanding slash line of .333/.444/.687. He has amassed 38 home runs, 88 RBI, and 94 runs scored. While his defensive metrics lag, his offensive impact is immense, reflected in a Fangraphs Offense rating of 53.7. Judge’s overall 7.4 fWAR stands as the league’s best, underscoring his comprehensive value to the Yankees.

Cal Raleigh’s Historic Power as a Catcher

Cal Raleigh, serving primarily as a catcher for the Seattle Mariners, has made an extraordinary impression this year. Though his slash line of .243/.350/.582 is more modest compared to Judge, he leads the league with 45 home runs, coming within four of breaking Salvador Perez’s single-season home run record for catchers. Raleigh has driven in 98 runs and scored 78, contributing offensively while logging 90 games behind the plate and occasionally serving as the designated hitter. His performance as Cal Raleigh AL MVP contender is remarkable given the physical demands of his position.

Other Players Seek to Shift the MVP Conversation

Beyond Judge and Raleigh, several players remain in the conversation but face steep challenges to overtake the top two. Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., last year’s runner-up, is delivering a solid season, though his offensive numbers have dipped from prior years. With 17 home runs and 30 stolen bases, his pursuit of a third straight 30/30 season hinges on a strong finish. Witt’s outstanding defense, reflected in balanced Fangraphs offensive and defensive ratings, has propelled his 5.7 fWAR, ranking third among American League players.

Jose Ramirez of the Guardians has consistently been an MVP candidate and is maintaining his strong play. With 25 home runs, 35 stolen bases, and a .298/.371/.528 slash, he has combined power and speed effectively. Ramirez’s low strikeout rate of 10.2% highlights his disciplined approach at the plate. A strong finish could cement his place among the AL’s top MVP vote-getters once again.

Emerging Standouts Add Depth to the MVP Race

Players like Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena and Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia have delivered breakthrough seasons, but the most intriguing dark horse might be Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Guerrero Jr. boasts a powerful line of .300/.397/.496, with 20 home runs, 67 RBI, and 81 runs scored. His disciplined plate approach, exemplified by a 13.0% walk rate and only 13.6% strikeouts, stands out. However, his defensive struggles, shown by a negative -9.9 rating, have dampened his overall value, holding his fWAR at 3.9 despite the strong offensive output.

Guerrero Jr. serves as the offensive leader for the Blue Jays, who currently hold the best record in the AL. His performance will be critical in pushing Toronto to an AL East title, a factor that could increase MVP consideration if he finishes the season strongly.

The Road Ahead for the AL MVP Battle

At this stage, Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh remain clear frontrunners in the AL MVP race, separated from the rest of the field by significant margins. However, players like Bobby Witt Jr., Jose Ramirez, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. retain chances to influence the voting with strong late-season performances. Should either Judge or Raleigh falter, the door opens wider for these contenders to claim top spots. As the season winds down, the intensity of the race will only grow, spotlighting Raleigh’s unexpected rise as a Cal Raleigh AL MVP contender alongside the familiar star power of Judge.