NEW YORK — The American League MVP race is heating up, and Aaron Judge has powerful backing from both his team and one of baseball’s most respected voices. The Yankees launched a bold social media push Sunday night, showcasing their captain’s historic season in a detailed thread.
Hours later, veteran MLB writer Jayson Stark of The Athletic voiced his support for Judge, setting the stage for one of the most closely watched votes in years.
Yankees make their case with numbers that don’t lie
Despite missing 11 games with an elbow injury, Judge appeared in 152 contests and delivered numbers that demand attention. The Yankees’ campaign pointed to a .331 batting average, a .457 on-base percentage, and a .688 slugging percentage. His 1.145 OPS led the American League by nearly 200 points, leaving little doubt about his offensive dominance.
“A thread for your consideration,” the Yankees wrote as they rolled out Judge’s remarkable production.
Judge also crushed 53 home runs, making him the first batting champion in league history to pair that title with such power. Only Jimmie Foxx in 1938 and Mickey Mantle in 1956 had ever won batting titles while hitting 50 or more home runs. Judge also finished with 10.1 Wins Above Replacement according to FanGraphs, outpacing the next AL player by more than a full win.
Respect comes from opposing pitchers too
Judge’s impact went beyond traditional numbers. Opposing managers often decided not to give him a chance. He drew 36 intentional walks this season, a new American League record, and more than the combined total issued by the rest of the league.
Teams simply refused to pitch to him in key moments, showing the level of fear he instilled at the plate. Add in his 114 RBIs and ability to deliver in clutch situations, and his presence shaped every game he played.
Longtime MLB writer delivers strong endorsement
Stark’s column added even more weight to Judge’s case. The former ESPN writer, now at The Athletic, made clear how unique Judge’s season has been.
“I don’t know if it’s hit you yet that Aaron Judge is having another one of those seasons,” Stark wrote. “Unless something weird happens this weekend, he’s going to lead his league in average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, runs scored, total bases, walks, most times on base, Win Probability Added and wins above replacement. Does that seem good?”
He admitted the challenge in comparing Judge to Seattle’s Cal Raleigh, who also put up historic numbers. But Stark noted Judge’s dominance across multiple categories set him apart.
“There are no wrong answers in this debate!” he added. “I wish I could cast this imaginary vote for the catcher for the Mariners. But it’s not an insult to Raleigh to say he finished second to the greatest right-handed hitter of the last 100 years.”
The case against voter fatigue
Judge already owns two MVP trophies. Some have wondered if voters may hesitate to award him a third. Stark pushed back by pointing to history, recalling that Mark McGwire’s 70-homer season in 1998 still lost to Sammy Sosa, and Mickey Mantle’s 54 homers in 1961 were overshadowed by Roger Maris’ 61.
“It’s easier to lock in on when all you have to do is count home runs,” Stark wrote. “But just because Judge isn’t going to make that kind of history this year, we shouldn’t overlook the staggering season he is having, while reviving his team from an August funk and leading it back to October.”
Judge anchored the Yankees’ offense all season and guided them into the postseason, even though they narrowly lost the AL East crown to the Blue Jays on a tiebreaker.
Why Raleigh still has supporters
Cal Raleigh’s accomplishments remain undeniable. The Mariners catcher blasted 60 home runs, making him just the fourth American League player in history to reach that milestone. He also set a record for most homers in a season by a primary catcher, while catching more than 120 games and maintaining strong defensive play.
Raleigh’s value extended to Seattle’s pitching staff, which leaned on his game-calling throughout their run to the franchise’s first division title since 2001. He posted a 9.0 WAR season, ranking him among baseball’s elite.
Still, Judge edged him in most advanced metrics. His 10.1 WAR topped all players, while his offensive WAR of 9.4 significantly outpaced Raleigh’s 7.7.
What the numbers really say: Aaron Judge vs. Cal Raleigh
| Category | Aaron Judge (Yankees) | Cal Raleigh (Mariners) |
| Games Played | 152 | 159 |
| Batting Average | .331 | .226 |
| On-Base Percentage | .457 | .359 |
| Slugging Percentage | .688 | .589 |
| OPS | 1.145 (1st AL) | .948 |
| Home Runs | 53 | 60 (AL record for catchers) |
| RBIs | 114 | 125 |
| Runs Scored | 137 | 110 |
| Total Bases | 366 | 345 |
| Walks | 124 | 97 |
| Intentional Walks | 36 (AL record) | 12 |
| WAR (FanGraphs) | 10.1 (1st AL) | 9.0 (2nd AL) |
| Offensive WAR | 9.4 | 7.7 |
The Yankees’ campaign and Stark’s endorsement rest on the same point: Judge dominated across the board. He led the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and WAR, a rare combination of achievements.
Judge became the first player since Miguel Cabrera in 2012 to lead the majors in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage in the same season. He paired that with 53 homers, 114 RBIs, and 36 intentional walks. His production forced opponents to change strategies, proving how much of an edge his presence created.
The MVP vote will likely come down to whether voters prioritize Raleigh’s historic power from a demanding position or Judge’s unmatched dominance across nearly every category. Both cases are strong. But Judge’s historic season, supported by his team’s campaign and Stark’s high-profile endorsement, makes him the frontrunner as ballots are cast.
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