You might be thinking that no one can beat Aaron Judge for the MVP, but a new player is standing out. A storm from the West Coast is slowly but surely making its way to the Bronx. This diamond dynamo is shaking up the MVP race, but not from the outfield. It’s from behind the plate. A catcher—yes, a catcher—who has a lot of power and accuracy is making his name in baseball history right now. Who is this unexpected contender altering the definition of MVP?He’s not simply a slugger; he’s a game-changer. He has been a key player for the Mariners, keeping up with great hitters like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. Recently, he has hit more home runs than they have. Astonishing, right? His presence isn’t a side story; it’s a headline. Are you still taking a guess?Seattle Mariners stopper Cal Raleigh has become an offensive powerhouse. His 2025 season has been amazing, putting him in the running for the AL MVP award, which many had already given to Aaron Judge. Raleigh is not just hitting balls. He is throwing baseballs skyward in high-leverage situations. And last night against the Angels, he hit two homers; with that, he has touched the mark of 26 homers for this season. His doubles have brought trouble for Aaron Judge.Cal Raleigh crushes his second homer of the night, and 26th of the season pic.twitter.com/QMnyln1vwb— MLB (@MLB) June 8, 2025Raleigh hit his 25th home run of the season in the first inning, giving the Mariners a 3-0 lead. He hit his 26th home run with one out in the ninth inning off Angels closer Kenley Jansen. The result didn’t favor the Mariners; they lost the game by 8-6. But there’s no denying that his power surge makes the MVP race much more interesting than most people thought it would be. And how’s Aaron Judge doing?The game against the Red Sox added a new layer to this tale. The Red Sox sent their ace pitcher, Garrett Crochet, against the Yankees’ strong lineup. He was nothing short of spectacular. Crochet pitched six great innings and struck out nine Yankees, cutting through their order. He faced 25 batters and threw 97 pitches, with 67 of them being strikes. But the Yankees, especially their captain, were hit hard when Judge had trouble against the tall lefty. In that game, Crochet struck out Aaron Judge not once, not twice, but thrice.The two different performances—one showing a young star’s rise and the other showing an established king’s temporary but significant stumble—have added dramatic intensity to the MVP contest.There are many more games to go, and do not forget #99. His performance might not have been quite there against the Red Sox, but he is still carving his name in the baseball history books.From .397 to MVP: Aaron Judge now in elite companyIn the Yankees vs Red Sox series opening game, Aaron reached a milestone that’s an achievement in itself.On Friday night, they beat the Boston Red Sox 9–6 at Yankee Stadium. And some credit goes to Aaron Judge’s exceptional 3-for-5 performance, including a sharp double. That clutch night pushed the New York Yankees to a strong 39–24, giving them complete control of the AL East. Boston, on the other hand, has a bunch of problems to focus on.Sep 2, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) walks to the on deck circle during the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsWith exactly 100 games left, Judge is in a rarefied air: he has a .397/.495/.759 batting average with 21 home runs, 51 RBIs, five stolen bases, and a jaw-dropping 1.234 OPS in 236 at-bats this season. Yes, these numbers speak for themselves. Adding to it, he has the second-best hitting average in MLB history. And do you know who is ahead of him? Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby (.427), who hit over 20 home runs in 62 games.Aaron Judge’s name is now next to those of baseball greats like Hornsby, Lou Gehrig (.394), and Mickey Mantle (.392). At 33, he’s already won the MVP award twice. Now he’s not just flirting with a third; he’s running toward it. To make matters even more dramatic, he’s trying to get a rare .400 season, which hasn’t happened since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941.Aaron Judge is making history by dominating the MVP race, the plate, and the dugout with every hit and home run. This reminds fans that he is not just a star, but a legacy in the making.The post Aaron Judge’s Alarming MVP Threat Rub Salts in His Wounds, Inflicted by Garett Crotchet appeared first on EssentiallySports.