Al Bello/Getty Images

MLB writer Jayson Stark reminded voters and fans why he feels Aaron Judge should be the American League MVP in 2025.

According to Jayson Stark, there is no wrong answer in the Aaron Judge vs Cal Raleigh debate for American League MVP.

Yet, according to the longtime MLB writer for The Athletic, the New York Yankees captain should be the MVP of the league for the third time in his legendary career — and second straight year — in spite of the Seattle Mariners catcher’s record-setting home run total in 2025.

Raleigh became the fourth player in American League history, and seventh of major-league history, to hit 60 home runs — including Judge, who set the AL record by hitting 62 homers in 2022. Raleigh broke the major-league home run record for catchers and has carried the M’s to their first division title since 2001.

Yet, Judge is also having another astronomical year and is about to win his first batting title of his legendary career. He is second, behind Raleigh, in the AL in home runs (52) — despite the fact he missed 11 games with an elbow injury that has affected his play.

Judge is ‘Orbiting A Different Planet’ Offensively

Stark, who has previously written for ESPN and has been at The Athletic for years, laid out the case for Judge over Raleigh.

“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?”

Judge is known primarily as a power hitter, since he is now one of four players with four 50-homer seasons in major-league history. So the fact Raleigh has out-homered Judge this year, especially as a catcher and with potential voter fatigue with Judge, has created a spot for Raleigh to win the award.

Yet, Stark reminded voters — and fans, alike — why the Yankees slugger has been immensely valuable in pushing the Yankees back to the October for the eighth time in his 10-year major-league career.

“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.”

Stark: ‘No Wrong Answers’ in Raleigh vs Judge Debate

Stark dropped some history lessons that simply hitting the most home runs isn’t the be-all end-all, especially since Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1998 and lost the MVP to Sammy Sosa. Plus, Mickey Mantle hit 54 homers and lost MVP to Roger Maris in 1961, the latter of whom hit an AL-record 61 home runs.

Yet, Stark also addressed those trying to make the case for Raleigh and admitted there are no absolutes to the argument.

“There are no wrong answers in this debate!” Stark wrote. “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.”

Pat Pickens is an experienced sports writer and media personality who has written for outlets like NHL.com, the Associated Press, the New York Times and USA Today. He covers the NFL, NBA, NHL and NBA as a breaking news contributor at Heavy. More about Pat Pickens