Lead: In Las Vegas on Thursday night the Baseball Writers’ Association of America awarded New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge his third American League Most Valuable Player award, narrowly edging Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh. Judge received 17 first-place votes and 355 points to Raleigh’s 13 first-place votes and 335 points, with Cleveland’s José Ramírez third at 224 points. The vote capped a season in which Judge led the majors in batting average while hitting 53 home runs and put the longtime slugger ever closer to a Cooperstown résumé. The BBWAA announcement also noted Shohei Ohtani’s unanimous National League MVP win.
Key Takeaways
- Aaron Judge won the 2025 AL MVP with 17 first-place votes and 355 points, announced Thursday by the BBWAA in Las Vegas.
- Cal Raleigh finished a close second with 13 first-place votes and 335 points after a historic 60–home–run season for Seattle.
- Judge paced MLB with a .331 batting average, 53 homers, a 1.144 OPS and a 215 OPS+; FanGraphs credited him with a 10.1 WAR.
- Raleigh led the AL with 125 RBIs, played 159 games (121 as catcher), and set single–season catcher and switch–hitter home run marks.
- Judge missed time with a right forearm flexor strain, spending 10 days on the IL and 27 games as a DH before returning to the outfield with limited throws.
- By winning his third MVP, Judge joined a small group of three–time winners and strengthened a Hall of Fame argument that analysts say is compelling.
Background
The AL MVP contest narrowed into a two-player race by midseason, with Judge and Raleigh separating themselves from the field as the most consistent and attention-grabbing performers. Judge combined power and contact in a season that produced both a batting title and more than 50 home runs, a rare offensive profile that historically draws MVP support. Raleigh’s run to 60 homers — the most ever by a primary catcher and the highest single–season total by a switch hitter — created a counterargument focused on peak power and rarity of achievement.
Voter considerations also included durability and position scarcity: Raleigh’s heavy workload as a catcher raised the value of his production, while Judge’s overall offensive dominance and role in a Yankees club that finished tied for the AL’s best record appealed to voters seeking season-long impact. Past precedent matters too; players with multiple MVPs typically fare well in Hall of Fame discussions, and Judge now sits among that elite company.
Main Event
The BBWAA announced the voting Thursday night in Las Vegas. Judge tallied 355 points and 17 first–place ballots to Raleigh’s 335 points and 13 first–place votes, with José Ramírez receiving 224 points and finishing third. The margin underscored how close the race had become even as Judge’s statistical edge in several offensive categories proved decisive for enough voters.
Judge’s statistical résumé was broad: he led the majors with a .331 average, topped MLB with a 1.144 OPS, and was credited with a 10.1 WAR by FanGraphs. He also led in on–base percentage (.457), slugging (.688), times on base (310) and intentional walks (36). Those numbers framed the argument that Judge’s overall offensive value outweighed Raleigh’s unprecedented power totals.
Raleigh, meanwhile, rewrote catcher history with 60 home runs, surpassing Salvador Perez’s previous mark of 48 and breaking Mickey Mantle’s switch–hitter record of 54. He also led the AL in RBIs with 125 and played 159 games, 121 of them behind the plate, a workload many evaluators regard as especially taxing.
Judge’s path was not entirely smooth: a right forearm flexor strain sidelined him for 10 days and limited him to designated hitter duties for 27 games while he recovered. When he returned to right field he intentionally preserved his throwing arm to avoid re–injury, yet still delivered the numbers that clinched MVP support.
Analysis & Implications
Statistically, Judge offered a combination of average and power that is rare in modern baseball. Leading the majors in batting average while clearing 50 home runs placed him in the company of Mickey Mantle (1956) and Jimmie Foxx (1938) as the only players to pair a batting crown with 50-plus homers in a season. Voters often reward balance and consistency across a full slate of offensive metrics, and Judge’s leading marks in OPS, OBP and times on base bolstered that narrative.
Raleigh’s candidacy posed a different but compelling case: historic power from the catcher position and leadership that helped Seattle win the AL West for the first time since 2001. Position scarcity — catchers typically produce less offense — and the physical demands of catching raised the perceived value of Raleigh’s achievements. His 125 RBIs and 60 homers make for an argument emphasizing peak season value rather than across-the-board dominance.
Beyond individual awards, the result has implications for Hall of Fame discourse. Three MVP awards are a strong indicator of Cooperstown worth; historically, all players with three MVPs are either enshrined, widely expected to be enshrined, or associated with PED-era controversies. Analysts such as Jay Jaffe have said Judge’s résumé, already substantial, receives a notable boost from a third MVP. Still, Hall of Fame voting will continue to weigh longevity, context and any future developments.
On the roster and market side, the MLB spotlight on Judge versus Raleigh shapes narratives about value: teams and agents use such high-profile outcomes when negotiating, and fans and media use them to frame legacy debates. Judge’s continued success also keeps the Yankees prominently in championship conversations, while Raleigh’s historic season elevates the profile of a Mariners franchise emerging as a contender.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Aaron Judge | Cal Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Home runs | 53 | 60 |
| Batting average | .331 | .247 |
| OPS | 1.144 | .948 |
| OPS+ | 215 | 169 |
| RBIs | 114 | 125 |
| WAR (FanGraphs) | 10.1 | (team-adjusted not listed) |
| Games | 152 | 159 |
| Games as catcher | — | 121 |
| Fielding run value (Savant) | 5 (80th pct) | 7 (87th pct) |
The table emphasizes where each player’s strengths lay: Judge across multiple rate categories and cumulative value, Raleigh in raw power and run production while handling a physically demanding role. Voters weighing MVP criteria — peak performance, value to team, and positional context — had to balance those contrasting profiles.
Reactions & Quotes
Several figures commented on the decision and the seasons that led to it, highlighting both respect for Raleigh’s historic achievement and acknowledgement of Judge’s broad dominance.
“It’s really just kind of mind blowing from my side of things.”
Aaron Judge (conference call with BBWAA)
Judge reflected briefly on how difficult it felt to process a third MVP and the prospect of a Hall of Fame career, framing the award as a milestone rather than a culmination.
“It would certainly be one more big point in his favor.”
Jay Jaffe (FanGraphs senior writer)
Analyst Jay Jaffe placed the award in context of established Hall of Fame metrics such as JAWS, arguing that Judge’s existing body of work is already persuasive and that a third MVP strengthens the case.
“I’m amazed at the ability to maintain two swings… and posting every single day with the foul balls, the balls in the dirt, the fatigue.”
A.J. Hinch (Detroit Tigers manager)
Hinch’s comment underscored the unusual physical demands Raleigh managed while producing unprecedented power totals for a catcher.
Unconfirmed
- Whether voter fatigue over repeatedly voting for Judge influenced individual ballots is suggested by observers but not directly confirmed by the BBWAA or specific voters.
- The long-term impact of Judge’s July flexor strain on his career trajectory is unclear; short-term effects are documented but lasting consequences are not yet evident.
- Any discussion that a third MVP makes Hall of Fame entry automatic is speculative; Cooperstown outcomes remain subject to future performance, ballot composition and voter judgment.
Bottom Line
Aaron Judge’s third AL MVP cements a season of rare balance between contact and power and strengthens his long-term legacy. While Cal Raleigh produced one of the most historically singular power seasons in recent memory, voters ultimately rewarded Judge’s across-the-board offensive supremacy and contribution to a top AL club.
For Hall of Fame projections, three MVPs place Judge in an elite historical bracket and bolster the argument that he will be a Cooperstown inductee when eligible. Nonetheless, Hall voting weighs many factors — including career length and future conduct — so definitive certification is still prospective rather than immediate.