The already interesting American League MVP debate just got even more exciting. Cleveland Guardians veteran has shocked the baseball world by choosing a catcher over Aaron Judge’s 49-homer, .326 batting average season. Now, it could change how you think about positional value.

As the regular season enters its last week, the race for MVP between Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh has reached a fever pitch. Judge is in charge of the conversation for obvious reasons. But even though Raleigh’s .949 BA is lower than that of Captain America’s, Raleigh hits 58 home runs and drives in 121 runs while being Seattle’s everyday catcher, which is an incredible feat that requires a lot of physical and mental strength.

And so, Austin Hedges, the Guardians’ veteran backstop, delivered his stunning verdict on Dugout Discussions with MLB insider Chris Rose. “To me, that’s the MVP of baseball this year. He’s the most valuable player in the American League,” Hedges declared about Raleigh. “What he has done for Seattle and that group – for four months of the season, it was Cal Raleigh giving up no runs behind the plate and hitting all the homers.” Then came some more explanations.

Hedges emphasized the unique challenges catchers face, explaining how Raleigh manages “150 pitches a night, makes million-dollar decisions over and over and over again, leads one of the best staffs in baseball.” The mental toll weighs heavily: “You don’t get to shut down. You don’t get a mental break from all the pitches that you’re calling.”

Hedges stressed the dual nature of Raleigh’s excellence. “Obviously, he’s hit all those homers. He hits amazingly. But you add that to the main guy making the decisions daily, to not give up runs. I think that needs to be looked at deeper in the value of what a decision maker behind the plate does, regardless of the physical talent.”

Hedges’ comparison to Buster Posey carries historical significance. Posey was the last primary catcher to win MVP honors in 2012, while Joe Mauer remains the last American League catcher to claim the award in 2009. And Raleigh’s record-breaking season – surpassing Mickey Mantle’s switch-hitter mark and Ken Griffey Jr.’s Mariners record – positions him to break this 15-year drought.

While Cal Raleigh is making a strong case for MVP with great individual stats, Judge’s case is different because his team is winning. The Yankees’ captain isn’t just putting up big numbers; he’s also helping his team make a run for the championship, which might be more important than any individual award.

Aaron Judge’s Yankees barrel toward October despite MVP debate

Judge’s New York Yankees are really picking up steam as October approaches. The team has become a playoff powerhouse, winning 19 of its last 27 games as it pushes toward the postseason.

Ben Rice hit a grand slam in the 10th inning against Baltimore on Sunday. This gave the Yankees a 7-1 win. Rice said after the clutch hit, “We’ve just got to stay on top of it, keep our foot on the gas.” That big moment showed how focused this Yankees team has become as the playoffs get closer.

The mathematics favor Judge’s squad entering this final week.

Their magic number sits at just three games for a wild card berth and four games to capture the AL East crown. The division title remains challenging with Toronto holding a two-game advantage, but the Yankees control their destiny through superior scheduling.

New York has a peaceful end to the season against the White Sox and Orioles, who are having a hard time. Toronto, on the other hand, has to play harder teams in Boston and Tampa Bay. Amid this, Judge’s legacy may be more about the team’s success than any MVP trophy. No matter how the voting goes, Aaron Judge’s historic season will always be remembered because the Yankees are trying to win the World Series.