Imagine the thrill of baseball's biggest night, where heroes are crowned for their jaw-dropping feats on the field—this Thursday, the BBWAA unveils the Most Valuable Player for each league in the 2025 season, and they've kept the most captivating showdown for the finale. It's a night that could redefine legacies, spark endless debates, and leave fans buzzing for years. But here's where it gets controversial: while Shohei Ohtani seems like a no-brainer for the National League, the American League race has ignited a fierce battle between seasoned stars and unexpected sensations, reminding us how subjective greatness can be in a sport we all love.
Let me walk you through the compelling arguments for each of the six MVP finalists (organized by league and alphabetically), building anticipation before the winners are revealed at 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network. We'll break down their stats, impact, and why they stand out, making it easy to follow even if you're new to advanced metrics like OPS (On-base Plus Slugging, which combines a player's ability to get on base and hit for power) or fWAR (Fielding Wins Above Replacement, a way to measure a player's overall value in wins compared to a replacement-level player).
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees
Towering at 6-foot-7, Aaron Judge dominated the Majors with a .331 batting average, etching his name as the tallest player ever to claim a batting title. He joined elite company as just the third to smash at least 50 home runs while securing a batting crown, alongside legends Mickey Mantle in 1956 and Jimmie Foxx in 1938. And get this—his 53 homers stand as the highest total for anyone achieving that rare double feat. Judge didn't stop there; he led the Majors in on-base percentage (.457), slugging percentage (.688), OPS (1.144), times on base (310), intentional walks (36), and fWAR (10.1, which quantifies how much better he was than a typical bench player). He also topped the AL in runs (137), total bases (372), walks (124), and extra-base hits (85). In short, Judge was a walking highlight reel, blending power and patience in a way that's hard to ignore—and this is the part most people miss: his consistency in a high-pressure environment like Yankee Stadium could sway even the toughest voters. -- Bryan Hoch
Cal Raleigh, C, Mariners
Cal Raleigh became the talk of the town, shattering home run records one after another (check out his epic 60-homer pursuit at https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/cal-raleigh-60-homer-chase) to cap off with 60 blasts—the most ever for a catcher, a switch-hitter, or a Mariners player. He suited up for nearly every game, logging 128 behind the plate in baseball's grueling position, and steered Seattle to their first AL West crown since 2001. Raleigh also boasted the AL's top 125 RBIs, while hitting career highs in batting average (.247), on-base percentage (.359), slugging percentage (.589), OPS (.948), and wRC+ (161, a stat that adjusts for ballpark factors to show offensive contribution). But here's what adds intrigue: his 'novelty factor' as the catcher with what many call the best season in history for the position, especially for a franchise that's often struggled. As a first-time finalist and potential MVP, he'd break ground since Buster Posey last won it in 2012—and that could make his story the underdog tale that captures hearts. -- Daniel Kramer
José Ramírez, 3B, Guardians
Picture this: the Guardians' miraculous turnaround from 15 1/2 games out of first place to clinching the AL Central—much of it hinged on José Ramírez. At 32, he delivered another masterpiece, making it nearly unthinkable for Cleveland without him. His line? A solid .283/.360/.503 with 30 homers, 85 RBIs, and an impressive 44 stolen bases across 158 games. He was a Gold Glove finalist at third and racked up 6.3 fWAR, meaning he was responsible for nearly half (47.7%) of the Guardians' position player value (13.2 total). For context, that's way more than Judge's 29.5% of the Yankees' fWAR (10.1 of 34.2) or Raleigh's 34.3% of the Mariners' (9.1 of 26.5). In essence, Ramírez was the engine behind a historic comeback, showcasing how one player's versatility can elevate an entire team—and this sparks debate: is raw impact on a smaller market team more 'valuable' than individual records on big-market squads? -- Tim Stebbins
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP, Dodgers
It's almost impossible to argue against Shohei Ohtani's unparalleled value—he does it all, and now fully back as a two-way star, he's poised for his third straight MVP and fourth overall, given his unique blend of pitching and hitting prowess. Even focusing solely on his bat, his case is ironclad: he led the NL with a 1.014 OPS and 179 OPS+ (a park-adjusted measure of offensive production), hammering 55 homers (just behind Schwarber's 56). This came during rehab from his second elbow surgery, and he kept it up while returning to the Dodgers' rotation. Rebuilding his arm after nearly two years off, he only did live BP three times before June, yet posted a 1-1 record, 2.87 ERA over 14 starts (47 innings), 62 strikeouts, nine walks, and a 145 ERA+ (which compares his ERA to the league average, adjusted for park and era). The Dodgers were still amazed by him in his debut year—and his one-of-a-kind skills redefine what's possible. But here's the controversy: is dominating both sides worth more than being the league's top hitter? Many say yes, but some argue it might undervalue pure specialists. -- Sonja Chen
Kyle Schwarber, DH, Phillies
Kyle Schwarber earned his spot with a .240 average, NL-leading 56 homers, MLB-best 132 RBIs, .928 OPS, and 150 OPS+, ranking second in NL OPS and third in OPS+. He was crucial to the Phillies' 96-win season and back-to-back NL East titles. Think about it: injuries sidelined Bryce Harper for a month (wrist), Trea Turner in September (hamstring), Alec Bohm stumbled early, Nick Castellanos bottomed baseball in WAR, J.T. Realmuto had his worst offense since rookie days, Max Kepler underperformed, and Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott struggled initially. Schwarber, though? Consistent and powerful from start to finish, making those 96 wins possible. That's why the Phillies are desperate to re-sign him—he's a clubhouse rock and community asset. And this is the part that could divide opinions: in an era of analytics, does sheer power and reliability trump flashy two-way play? -- Todd Zolecki
Juan Soto, OF, Mets
Pitting Juan Soto over Ohtani would stir a hornet's nest, given the latter's dual dominance. Yet, there's a strong case Soto was the superior hitter much of the year. After a rocky Mets start, he topped the NL in OPS, OBP, and stolen bases from May 30 on, tying Ohtani with 35 homers in that stretch. His 40 steals (tripling his career high) highlighted his skill and dedication, earning the 16th 40-30 season in MLB history—something even Ohtani didn't achieve. Like Francisco Lindor in 2024, Soto's challenge is sharing the spotlight with a generational force in Ohtani. Voters might always favor the two-way marvel, but Soto matches up well and is improving in his late 20s. Though unlikely this time, his MVP win feels destined; he's topped MVP voting six times in eight seasons. But here's where it gets really controversial: does playing in the same league as a transcendent talent diminish your achievements, or should voters reward individual excellence regardless?
There you have it—a deep dive into why each finalist deserves serious consideration. Who do you think will win, and why? Do you side with the record-breakers, the team lifters, or the versatile icons? Share your hot takes in the comments—let's debate what 'most valuable' truly means in baseball! -- Anthony DiComo
