Smashing Records in the First Half
In the 2025 MLB season, two American League sluggers, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, have taken the league by storm with their extraordinary power-hitting performances. Before reaching their 81st games, both players have demonstrated a knack for crushing home runs at a rate that places them among the best half-season power hitters in MLB history. Their remarkable stats have sparked discussions about where they stand compared to legends of the game.
Cal Raleigh, a catcher known for his defensive prowess, has stunned fans with his offensive output, posting 27 home runs and 60 RBIs in just 310 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge, already a household name after winning the AL MVP in 2022 and 2024, has matched Raleigh's RBI count with 60 while hitting 26 home runs across 320 plate appearances. Their isolated power (ISO) numbers are staggering, with Judge at .368 and Raleigh at .357, showcasing their ability to drive the ball with authority.
According to data shared on social media platforms like X, Judge leads the league with a weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) of 244 and a FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement (fWAR) of 5.9, while Raleigh isn't far behind with a wRC+ of 188 and an fWAR of 4.0. These numbers underline their dominance and hint at potential MVP contention if they maintain this pace.
Comparing to Historical Greats
When placed alongside historical power-hitting performances, both Raleigh and Judge are making a strong case for inclusion among the elite. Judge's current pace projects him to finish the season with 57 home runs, a mark that echoes his record-setting 62 homers in 2022. His first-inning prowess this year ties him with Mark McGwire for an MLB record of 11 first-inning homers through 78 games, a milestone not seen in over two decades.
Raleigh, on the other hand, is on pace for an astonishing 66 home runs, a number that could challenge the AL single-season record if sustained. His performance as a catcher adds another layer of impressiveness, as no player at his position has ever posted such offensive numbers over a full season. As noted in analysis from sports outlets, Raleigh's combination of power and defensive value (with a fielding run value of 4 at catcher) makes his season one of the greatest by a catcher in MLB history.
Can They Sustain the Momentum?
The big question surrounding both players is whether they can keep up this historic pace through the second half of the 2025 season. Judge, already a proven commodity with multiple MVP awards, has shown resilience and consistency in past seasons, suggesting he could maintain a high level of production. His current OPS of 1.269 is the best in the league, and projections indicate a final fWAR of 12.4, which would be among the highest ever recorded.
For Raleigh, the challenge might be greater due to the physical demands of playing catcher, a position that often wears down players as the season progresses. However, his projected fWAR of 11.1 and consistent walk rate of 13.5% suggest he has the discipline and stamina to continue producing. As discussions on platforms like X indicate, fans and analysts alike are split on who might claim the AL MVP if both players finish close to their projected stats, with some favoring Judge's overall impact and others marveling at Raleigh's unprecedented output for a catcher.
Ultimately, the second half of the season will determine if Raleigh and Judge can etch their names permanently into MLB lore. Their performances thus far have not only electrified fans but also set a new benchmark for what power hitting can achieve in just half a season. With the All-Star Game on July 15 at Atlanta's Truist Park already secured for Judge as a leading vote-getter, all eyes will be on these two sluggers as they chase history.