Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) Cal Raleigh Making The Case For AL MVP
Jun 23, 2025
The hosts dive into Cal Raleigh's impressive weekend and his chance to claim the AL MVP title from Aaron Judge. They break down the competitive landscape in the AL, discussing the implications for the Yankees and Rays. The debate intensifies as they compare the unique challenges faced by catchers versus outfielders. They also touch on the shifting dynamics in the NL, particularly the Phillies overtaking the Mets. With highlights from standout performances and team strategies, this discussion captures the essence of an exciting baseball season.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Cal Raleigh's Historic Catcher Performance
- Cal Raleigh is performing at a historically high level for a catcher, hitting 31 home runs before the All-Star break.
- His offensive output challenges the usual expectations for catchers, placing him in rare company like Ken Griffey Jr.
Judge vs. Raleigh in MVP Race
- Aaron Judge leads in overall offensive stats including batting average and on-base percentage.
- Despite Cal Raleigh's historic home run pace as a catcher, Judge remains the favorite for MVP due to broader offensive contributions.
WAR Undervalues Catcher's Effort
- WAR may not fully account for the added physical demands of catching.
- Cal Raleigh's value could be higher than WAR suggests because he sustains elite offense while doing the physically taxing catching role.
