Every fall, baseball’s MVP conversation stirs debates across the league, and this year’s American League race is no different. The top of the ballot seems destined to be a battle between Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh, two stars who carried their teams in very different ways. Judge was once again a machine, leading the league in both versions of WAR and serving as the offensive engine behind another dominant Yankees campaign. But Raleigh’s case might be just as compelling. He produced one of the greatest offensive seasons ever by both a catcher and a switch-hitter, all while helping guide the Mariners’ pitching staff to an AL West title.

It’s rare to see a backstop enter the MVP discussion this seriously, but Raleigh’s combination of power, leadership, and workload makes him the biggest challenger to Judge’s throne. Still, when looking beyond those two, there’s no shortage of elite talent in the mix.

A Deep Field of MVP Contenders
Many MVP races have a handful of stars who could win in almost any other season, and this year is that kind of abundant harvest. Bobby Witt Jr. continues to look like a future MVP. His blend of speed, power, and defense makes him a perennial top-five candidate. José Ramírez remains one of baseball’s most underappreciated superstars, quietly leading the Guardians back to the top of the AL Central.

On the pitching side, Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet deserve recognition for being the best starters in the American League this year. Both were dominant, reliable, and essential to their teams’ competitiveness. And in Seattle, Julio Rodríguez did Julio things, posting another dynamic season while sharing the spotlight (and the lineup) with Raleigh.

That brings us to Byron Buxton, whose 2025 campaign was one of the brightest individual seasons in a dark year for the Minnesota Twins.

Buxton’s Case: MVP Numbers, Mediocre Team
Despite Minnesota’s struggles, Buxton quietly put together a season worthy of serious down-ballot MVP consideration. He put himself on the national stage by competing in the Home Run Derby in front of his hometown fans in Atlanta. He played in 140 games, a notable achievement considering his injury history, and reminded everyone just how dynamic he can be when healthy. 

Buxton finished 8th in the AL in Offensive WAR, 5th in slugging percentage, 5th in OPS, 7th in runs scored, 8th in home runs, and 5th in Adjusted OPS+. His Offensive Win Percentage ranked 4th, and he was the most efficient base stealer in the league, going a perfect 24-for-24. Add in a top-10 finish in Win Probability Added (9th), and the numbers paint a picture of one of baseball’s most impactful all-around hitters.

His combination of power and speed (35 home runs and 24 stolen bases) put him in rare company for a Twins player. The last Twin to combine that kind of pop and athleticism for a full season was Kirby Puckett, who mixed power, defense, and flair in ways Buxton continues to echo.

Unfortunately for Buxton, MVP voters often punish players on non-contending teams. The Twins’ 92-loss season makes it unlikely he’ll climb higher than the back end of the top 10, even if the numbers suggest he should. He has an incentive in his contract that will pay him $3 million if he finishes in the top 10, so he (and the Twins) will watch the voting carefully. 

A Realistic Spot on the Ballot
Buxton’s 2025 production should be good enough to earn him a top-10 finish, but he’ll probably show up in the 7–10 range on most ballots and be left off entirely by a few voters focusing on playoff teams. Still, that kind of recognition would trigger one of the performance incentives in his contract, a small but deserved reward for a player who finally stayed healthy and played like the superstar Twins fans have long envisioned.

My Hypothetical AL MVP Ballot:

Aaron Judge

Cal Raleigh

José Ramírez

Bobby Witt Jr.

Tarik Skubal

George Springer

Garrett Crochet

Byron Buxton

Julio Rodríguez

Corey Seager

If nothing else, Buxton’s place on this list serves as a reminder that even in a disappointing team season, individual greatness still shines through. For Twins fans, it’s a glimpse of what could be possible if a healthy Buxton leads a winning roster again in 2026.

How would your ballot look for the AL MVP? Does Judge or Raleigh get the top spot? Leave a comment and start the discussion.