MLB insider shut down Cal Raleigh’s MVP case, saying Aaron Judge’s historic 2025 season “just doesn’t elevate him” over the Yankees star.

Aaron Judge (New York Yankees), Eugenio Suarez (Arizona Diamondbacks), Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners), Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs) and Pete Alonso (New York Mets) have combined to make some rare baseball history that hasn't been seen in the last 19 years.

Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge are putting on a show similar to what Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa did in 1998. But this chase is better because the 'clean' home run record is at stake.

He also has a distinctive nickname, "Big Dumper," which YES Network's Michael Kay had to tell the viewers about during Tuesday's broadcast. With Raleigh reaching first on a fielder's choice in the top of the first inning, Kay explained the situation in detail to Paul O'Neil while the production team got a good look at the subject of the discussion.

The 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby will showcase some of the biggest stars from Major League Baseball as they swing for the fences on July 14. The lineup includes Atlanta Braves ' Ronald Acuña Jr., making his third appearance in the competition, and the MLB home run leader, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners.

Heading into this season, Cal Raleigh was already a proven commodity at the catching position. When you pair his defensive prowess with roughly a mid-700s OPS, he was not only a great catcher, but arguably baseball’s best.