AL Exec Chooses Mariners Star as MVP Over Yankees’ Aaron Judge

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AL Exec Chooses Mariners Star as MVP Over Yankees’ Aaron Judge

The competition for the American League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is heating up as the baseball season concludes. Two standout players, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, are at the forefront of discussions regarding this prestigious recognition.

Mariners and Yankees Season Overview

Both the Mariners and Yankees faced early postseason exits, being eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays. With their seasons now over, attention turns to the MVP award, which will be announced in November.

Support for Cal Raleigh

Jerry Dipoto, the general manager of the Seattle Mariners, is a staunch advocate for Raleigh. Having managed the team since 2015, Dipoto believes that Raleigh’s contributions have been crucial in guiding the Mariners. He remarked, “I can’t imagine Judge did more to help his team get to where they needed to get to than Cal, on every front,” as reported by Aaron Levine, a sports director at Fox 13 in Seattle.

Aaron Judge’s Strong Case

In contrast, Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ manager since 2018, champions Judge as the clear-cut MVP. Boone stated, “Nothing Aaron Judge does surprises me. He’s been on base frequently and continues to impress with his athleticism.” Judge’s exceptional performance, including a batting title, has set him apart in the MVP race.

Statistical Insights

Aaron Judge:
- Higher Wins Above Replacement (WAR) according to both Fangraphs and Baseball Reference.
- Superior batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.
- His 204 Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) is among the highest since 2024 and 2022.
Cal Raleigh:
- Notable for being a catcher with a remarkable home run count.

Historic Context

Judge’s current wRC+ of 204 places him in rare company, being the highest since Barry Bonds achieved this feat in 2004. Before Bonds, Mickey Mantle was the last player to surpass the 200 wRC+ mark.

If Judge does not win the MVP award, it may reflect potential voter fatigue despite his impressive statistics. His excellence positions him alongside legendary players such as Barry Bonds, Mike Trout, and Yogi Berra in the MVP conversation.

The race for the American League MVP remains intense as the announcement approaches, with both players representing the pinnacle of talent in Major League Baseball. Fans eagerly anticipate the outcome of this tightly contested award.