Nico Hoerner Weighs In on the AL MVP Race
As the Chicago Cubs gear up for a playoff push, all eyes are on the American League MVP conversation, a topic that echoes through the corridors of Major League Baseball. While the Cubs are focused on their own challenges, their players remain keenly aware of the league’s standout performances—none more so than that of New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.
Hoerner Champions Judge Amidst Strong Competition
In a recent interview with 670 The Score, Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner shared his thoughts on the tight MVP race, acknowledging the impressive season put forth by Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. However, Hoerner made it clear where his allegiance lies.
“It’s a really good race,” Hoerner noted, recognizing the competitiveness of the candidates. “I usually lean towards the catching position since it’s tough to find offensive production from there. If a catcher is pushing 60 homers, it’s an automatic MVP.” Yet, he quickly underscored the significance of Judge’s performance, particularly his OPS.
“But when the OPS from Judge is almost 200 points higher, that’s a really, really big difference,” he continued. Hoerner articulated a common sentiment in sports—sometimes, elite players like Judge experience “fatigue” in excitement because their brilliance has become an expectation. Nevertheless, he firmly believes that Judge deserves the MVP title.
Comparing the Seasons: Judge vs. Raleigh
Raleigh’s season has been historic in its own right, showcasing an offensive prowess rarely seen from a catcher. With a batting line of .245/.359/.586, he has belted 58 home runs and driven in 121 runs over 154 games, earning a bWAR of 6.9. This performance is remarkable and arguably the best offensive season for a catcher in baseball history.
However, Judge’s numbers are staggering. Leading all of Major League Baseball, he boasts a batting average of .325, an on-base percentage of .452, and slugging percentage of .669. His OPS stands as an eye-popping testament to his dominance at the plate, sitting at the top of the leaderboard alongside 49 home runs and 105 RBIs, contributing to an impressive bWAR of 8.9.
In a season filled with extraordinary achievements, Hoerner’s endorsement of Judge highlights not just the individual excellence of the Yankees star, but also the nuances of how players are evaluated in the MVP conversation. As the season nears its conclusion, the debate rages on, but one thing is clear: Judge’s remarkable performance has left an indelible mark on this historic season.
