Let’s not dance around it — Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is squarely in the AL MVP race.
On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal gave Raleigh more than a pat on the back. He gave him a shot. When asked about the MVP picture, Rosenthal didn’t hedge, or shy away from providing his answer. He didn’t hide behind “dark horse” labels or “quiet candidate” tags, or even Aaron Judge backers.
He said it outright.
“Depending on how the rest of the season goes, he absolutely can overtake Judge.”
That’s a real statement. And it turns the MVP conversation into something a lot more interesting than a one-man race.
Because here’s what’s happening. Raleigh is becoming the most important player on a division leader, carrying the offense, and catching almost every day for one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. And he’s doing it in a year when run-scoring is down and power is scarce.
Looking At Raleigh’s Season For Mariners
The numbers are starting to stack up. Raleigh’s got 32 homers, a 1.049 OPS, and he’s leading all catchers in WAR (4.4). He’s also top five in the AL in home runs and leads his team in RBIs. That’s not bad for a guy who plays the most physically demanding position in the game and gets very little national attention outside the Pacific Northwest.
But this goes beyond stats. It’s about timing. It’s about presence. It’s about showing up when the moment matters. Raleigh’s done that all year.
If the New York Yankees stay in first and Judge even slightly cools off, this becomes a real discussion. And honestly, it already is. Rosenthal doesn’t just throw this kind of praise around. He knows what MVP voters look for.
It Will Be A Close Finish
Judge is still the favorite. No one’s pretending otherwise. He’s putting up historic power numbers again and looks every bit the force he was in 2022. But his team is built to win without him. Raleigh’s team isn’t. If you take him out of the Mariners’ lineup, you don’t just lose a cleanup bat. You lose the entire spine of the roster.
That’s what MVP means. Not narrowed down to stats. Value. Context. Weight. And right now, Raleigh’s value is as high as anyone’s in the league.
If he keeps hitting, keeps catching, and keeps leading Seattle toward October, don’t be shocked if he’s standing right there at the finish line — not behind Judge, but right beside him. Maybe even ahead.
Mariners Star Could ‘Overtake’ Aaron Judge In AL MVP Race, Insider Says