The race for the 2025 AL MVP remains wide open, and the winner has not yet been officially announced, making this one of the most closely watched award decisions of the MLB postseason. The 2025 AL MVP discussion continues to dominate baseball headlines as fans wait for the league to reveal who will take home the American League’s top individual honor.
Latest Status of the 2025 AL MVP Race
As of today, the American League MVP winner is still pending. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America has finalized the three-player ballot, but the results remain sealed until announcement day. The current finalists are:
- Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
- Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners)
- José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians)
Although the National League MVP has already been awarded, the AL race continues to build suspense because of how tight the competition appears based on season performance.
Why This Year’s AL MVP Race Is So Close
The American League saw several standout performances through the 2025 season. What makes this race especially intriguing is how different the finalists’ cases are:
- One is a perennial superstar (Judge).
- One is a breakout power threat behind the plate (Raleigh).
- One is a proven, versatile veteran (Ramírez).
Each brings a distinct value profile—batting dominance, positional scarcity, or overall consistency.
Aaron Judge’s MVP Case
Aaron Judge posted one of the strongest offensive seasons of his career in 2025. His stat line included a batting average over .330, more than 50 home runs, over 110 RBIs, and MLB-leading run production. He also posted one of the top OPS marks across the league.
Even after missing time with a flexor strain, Judge’s impact remained undeniable. His presence in the Yankees lineup helped drive New York back into playoff contention. Judge’s blend of power, average, on-base skill, and impact in key situations gives him a traditional—and extremely strong—MVP profile.
Cal Raleigh’s MVP Case
Cal Raleigh forced his way into the MVP discussion with a breakout 2025 campaign. As a switch-hitting catcher producing elite power numbers, he stands out at a position that rarely sees MVP-level offensive stats.
By mid-season, Raleigh had crossed the 40-home-run mark and led the AL in RBIs during several stretches. His defensive responsibilities add extra weight to his offensive output. Raleigh also took home a Silver Slugger Award at catcher, solidifying him as one of the best positional performers in the league.
If voters place high value on positional difficulty combined with offensive production, Raleigh’s candidacy gains significant momentum.
José Ramírez’s MVP Case
José Ramírez continued his established pattern of elite consistency. While he may not have posted the headline-grabbing totals of Judge or Raleigh, his all-around performance—power, on-base ability, speed, and defense—kept him firmly in the finalist group.
He remains one of baseball’s most complete players, and his leadership role with the Guardians boosts his intangible value. Ramírez may be viewed as a longshot in the top-three field, but his inclusion reflects another high-caliber season.
Key Factors Voters Will Consider
The AL MVP voting always involves a combination of measurable performance and contextual judgment. Among the biggest factors this year:
1. Offensive dominance
Judge’s numbers surpass most of the league, making him the statistical favorite.
2. Position scarcity
Raleigh’s production as a catcher is unusual and historically significant.
3. Team performance
The Yankees and Mariners both benefited from their stars’ contributions in postseason pushes.
4. Narrative strength
Breakout seasons often sway voters when production levels are close.
5. Durability and availability
Stretches missed due to injury or fatigue sometimes influence tight races.
Because Judge and Raleigh each excel in different MVP-critical areas, this race feels exceptionally balanced.
How This Race Compares to the NL MVP
The National League MVP for 2025 has already been announced, clearing the spotlight for the American League’s decision. With the NL vote settled early, attention has shifted sharply to the AL. The prolonged anticipation has intensified fan discussions, podcasts, and sports-desk debates.
When the AL MVP Announcement Is Expected
The official AL MVP announcement is expected to arrive soon as part of MLB’s annual postseason awards sequence. The exact date has not yet been publicly released, but the voting has already concluded. The league typically unveils the award within the same window as Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year announcements.
Once released, the final vote totals will provide insight into just how close the battle was between Judge and Raleigh.
What Fans Should Watch For Next
Keep an eye on:
- The timing of MLB’s awards release
- Team reactions from the Yankees, Mariners, and Guardians
- Behind-the-scenes voter breakdowns once ballots go public
- Media commentary on why the winner emerged over the other finalists
These final layers help shape the long-term narrative of each player’s 2025 season.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 AL MVP race has become one of the most exciting award chases in recent memory. Aaron Judge’s monster offensive season makes him a powerhouse candidate, while Cal Raleigh’s historic year behind the plate provides a compelling challenger. José Ramírez remains a respected veteran presence who delivered another standout performance.
All eyes now turn to the official announcement as fans wait to see which star’s achievements will define the American League’s 2025 season.
Share your pick for the 2025 AL MVP in the comments and stay tuned for the official results.