This season in the American League, two standout players have emerged as strong contenders for the Most Valuable Player Award: New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge and Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh. Both athletes have demonstrated remarkable skill and performance, making the MVP race particularly intriguing.
As of Monday, Aaron Judge leads Major League Baseball in ten different offensive categories, showcasing his exceptional talent. Despite the Yankees’ overall struggles this season, Judge has maintained impressive offensive production, hitting for both power and average. His batting average was close to .400 towards the end of May, a testament to his consistency and prowess at the plate.
On the other hand, Cal Raleigh is experiencing a historic season, having the best first-half performance of any catcher in MLB history. However, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly posits that Raleigh’s outstanding play may not be sufficient to surpass Judge in the MVP race. Kelly notes that even with Raleigh’s remarkable achievements, Judge’s leadership in numerous categories, including batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, hits, total bases, and WAR, puts him ahead in the competition.
The rivalry between these two players adds an exciting element to the remainder of the season, as fans eagerly await the conclusion of the MVP race. Both Judge’s consistency and Raleigh’s groundbreaking season highlight the incredible talent present in the league today.
Overall, this season promises to be memorable, and it’s hopeful to see such remarkable performances from players that elevate the game and excite fans across the country.