Cal Raleigh’s 60th Home Run Sparks AL MVP Debate With Aaron Judge

Cal Raleigh’s 60th home run of the 2025 season has intensified the debate over the American League MVP, pitting the Seattle catcher against Aaron Judge, who remains a perennial MVP favorite. The milestone arrives at a time when voters traditionally weigh a combination of production, consistency and impact on team success. Advocates of a broader, numbers-driven evaluation argue Raleigh’s power surge this season has changed the calculus for who deserves the prize.

Raleigh’s achievement places him in an extremely exclusive group, joining Babe Ruth, Roger Maris and Aaron Judge as players to reach 60 homers in a single season. That milestone is less about spectacle than about the message it sends about the shape of a season: one player's bat has delivered a historic, game-altering number of homers in the regular year. Supporters of the 'beyond-the-numbers' case note that Raleigh’s 60 homers were accompanied by a sustained run of production and a significant push in Seattle’s lineup, contributing to the team’s presence in the pennant race.

Analysts who back Raleigh point to more than the raw count of homers. They argue the catcher's contribution to run creation, his ability to drive in crucial runs during tight games, and his leadership behind the plate deserve consideration when votes are tallied. In those views, the 60-homer mark becomes a symbol of a season where Raleigh altered the balance of power in his lineup and helped the Mariners tilt the narrative around offense in the league.

Still, Judge’s track record remains a counterweight in the discussion. Judge’s season is configured around continued elite production, durability and a reputation for turning up in the most pivotal moments. While Raleigh’s milestone is historic, many voters weigh consistent performance over a single peak and the broader context of their teams’ performance across the regular season.

Voters typically examine a blend of statistics and team outcomes when selecting the AL MVP, with many looking for the player who not only delivered standout numbers but also carried his club through the season’s most important moments. The 'beyond-the-numbers' framing—emphasizing impact, durability and leadership—has gained traction in some outlets and among a subset of voters who argued Raleigh’s feats deserve the prize more than a star whose value is measured in multi-season runs.

The debate underscores how a single milestone can shift perception even when headlines acknowledge Judge’s ongoing excellence. The New York Post piece centered on the argument that Raleigh’s season should be recognized for what it adds beyond traditional metrics. As the regular season winds down, observers will watch how vote tallies reflect both the raw power numbers and the broader influence Raleigh has had on Seattle’s offense.

Whether Raleigh or Judge ultimately collects the AL MVP will depend on the final metrics voters prioritize and how they weigh historical milestones against season-long value. What remains clear is that Raleigh’s 60-homer season has entered the conversation of elite power seasons and has shaped the way analysts and fans discuss the MVP race for the American League in 2025.