The Athletic Offers Surprising Aaron Judge Prediction

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael DeRosa | Last updated Mar 24, 2025 9:52 AM ET

New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is coming off an incredible 2024 season. In 158 games, the 32-year-old outfielder had 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, 180 hits, a .322 batting average, and a .701 slugging percentage. With this, he led the American League in both home runs and RBIs. Thus, Judge was simply dominant at the plate for the Yankees.

Judge was rightfully rewarded for his spectacular season. The Sacramento, California native was named AL MVP for the second time in his career, won his second AL Hank Aaron Award, and picked up his fourth Silver Slugger Award. He made the All-MLB First Team for the third time and was named to his sixth All-Star Game.

After his amazing season, Judge will now look to replicate his production at the plate in 2025 and repeat as AL MVP. However, not many members of The Athletic's staff are predicting Judge to be named MVP for the second year in a row.

Just five out of 33 writers from The Athletic voted Judge to win AL MVP for the 2025 campaign in their latest predictions poll. This is undoubtedly surprising, given how dominant Judge was not only last season but also throughout his career.

Kansas City Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. secured the most AL MVP prediction votes, as 18 writers see the 24-year-old winning it. He is certainly heading into the season as a prime MVP candidate like Judge, as he is a young star who is only continuing to get better. In 161 games this past season, he had 32 home runs, 109 RBIs, 211 hits, and a .332 batting average.

It will now be interesting to see if Judge has another monster season and repeats as AL MVP from here.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: