Judge vs. Raleigh: Is the AL MVP Race REALLY That Close?
The American League MVP race is heating up, and opinions are flying! While New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is having another stellar season, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is making a strong case for the award. But is it really a close competition?
Yankees Coach Says It's Not Even Close
New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus recently weighed in on the debate, stating he doesn't believe the MVP race is close. He acknowledged Raleigh's impressive season, highlighting his 56 home runs and 118 RBI, which lead the league. However, Ausmus believes Judge is the clear front-runner.
Ausmus, speaking on MLB Network Radio, pointed to Judge's overall dominance, stating that if you significantly reduced Judge's OPS, he'd be comparable to Raleigh. Conversely, reducing Raleigh's OPS by a similar margin would make him an average player. He admitted his bias as a Yankees coach but emphasized Judge's superior numbers across multiple categories.
Judge's Dominant Stats
While Raleigh leads in home runs and RBI, Judge excels in numerous other key offensive categories. He boasts a league-leading .327 batting average, .452 OBP, .673 slugging percentage, 1.124 OPS, and 8.6 WAR. He also leads in total bases (345), runs (127), and walks (116). His all-around performance is undeniably impressive.
A Different Perspective
Despite Ausmus' strong opinion, not everyone agrees. Patrick Reusse of The Minnesota Star Tribune argues that Raleigh's exceptional season at a demanding position like catcher makes him the more deserving candidate. Raleigh's value as a workhorse behind the plate, combined with his offensive contributions, presents a compelling argument.
The Final Verdict?
Ultimately, the AL MVP decision rests with the voters. Both Judge and Raleigh have had outstanding seasons, and their respective strengths offer compelling cases. Whether Judge's overall dominance or Raleigh's positional value will sway the voters remains to be seen. This debate will continue until the official announcement.