Aaron Judge’s season pivots on multi-faceted excellence even as Cal Raleigh’s power surge tests the AL MVP narrative. Judge leads in AVG, OBP, SLG and OPS, but Raleigh’s back-to-back homers at Kauffman Stadium tied Griffey Jr. for Mariners’ single-season mark and adds elite catcher defense to the debate. Mantle’s switch-hitter record and Griffey’s pace sharpen the historical context, while Judge’s durability and DH role could sway voters amid fatigue and defensive value considerations.