The MLB calendar crosses the midway mark, and MVP debates are naturally heating up. While Yankee captain, Aaron Judge, remains the safe frontrunner in most of these conversations, one former catcher isn’t ready to hand him the crown. And so, on MLB Network Radio, ex-MLB player Chris Gimenez has thrown his full support behind Cal Raleigh’s historic first half.

In MLB’s latest MVP polls for the American League, Mariners catcher Raleigh has finished in second place, behind reigning AL MVP Judge. Raleigh has been an interesting addition to the list heading into the season, given that the Mariners had missed the playoffs last year. The franchise has struggled to add significant offense to its lineup, making it surprising to see Raleigh get a +450 on the rankings list.

“There’s a lot of debate here,” states Gimenez, “[…] Around who’s the next MVP right now. People wanna give it to Aaron Judge, and obviously, that’s a very good pick. But people don’t understand how unbelievably difficult it is to do what Cal is doing.” Well, Cal Raleigh isn’t just having a good year by catcher standards. It’s one of the most prolific offensive seasons ever for the position.

Gimenez elaborates further on this, saying: “Take the offensive part of things- it’s really hard to hit 35 bombs. But it’s really, really hard to hit 35 bombs and still be the best catcher in baseball, and to do it every day.”

On July 4, in the Mariners’ 6-0 win against the Pirates, Raleigh first hit his 34th homer to 433 feet in the first inning off of lefty Bailey Falter. And the 35th home run came in the sixth with his 381-foot shot, almost clearing the left-center field fence and bouncing into the home bullpen.

Notably, he’s maintained this output while catching almost daily for the Mariners – all while slugging at a pace that rivals the game’s best power hitters. “I’m just trying to do the right thing and trying to keep it rolling. If I can try to be like that guy [Ken Griffey Jr.], it’s a good guy to look up to,” shared Raleigh.

Now, Gimenez’s point isn’t to diminish Judge but to commend Raleigh’s ability as an MVP-caliber player in multiple spheres of the game. Catchers rarely stay in MVP conversations this deep into the season, so it’s really about context. While Judge may be rewriting outfield power metrics, Raleigh is quietly redefining physical capability in the face of one of the hardest positions on the field. The emphasis is not just on Raleigh’s raw power, but his endurance and the physical toll of catching nearly every day while delivering league-best slugging at the same time.

Can Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh be compared in the MVP Race?

Aaron Judge is doing exactly what everyone expects from a former MVP – dominating the league. Judge’s first-half numbers are staggering: 33 home runs, a slugging percentage of .734, and a 1.202 OPS. He’s usually batting second or third in one of the league’s most high-pressure lineups and is able to deliver constantly.

While Judge plays the right field or center field, Raleigh’s role is even more demanding. When voters evaluate MVP worth, should raw production matter more than physical workload? Because that’s where Cal Raleigh closes the gap. He doesn’t beat Judge’s stats directly, but he does nearly as much while playing the most grueling position of the game. He has been recognized for framing pitches and throwing out runners as they attempt to steal bases.

Cal Raleigh’s presence is systemic. With 35 homers and a .640 slugging percentage before the All-Star break, he’s calling games, blocking balls in the dirt, and anchoring Seattle’s pitching staff.

Historically, catchers get overlooked in MVP voting for this very reason. They do more, but it doesn’t always show up in the box score. Raleigh, however, is impossible to ignore. He has recorded 9 stolen bases so far in the season. Plus, those WAR numbers are creeping up, right now, standing at 4.8.

So here comes the question: What really is “valuable”? Judge is the league’s best hitter – it’s not up for debate. But if Raleigh’s on for nearly six days a week, all while maintaining elite offensive production, is that not equally – if not more – “valuable”? Judge might finish with better rate stats, but Raleigh’s doing more, more often, and at a position where burnout is a constant threat. Now, if there’s ever a time when the Mariners stay in contention and Raleigh sustains this pace, voters may be forced to confront the difference between excellence and endurance.