Are you sure you're safe, smiling Ohtani? If we increase the pitching innings, it's about PCA. In fact, the MVP of both leagues

Jul 17, 2025

Are you sure you're safe, smiling Ohtani? If we increase the pitching innings, it's about PCA. In fact, the MVP of both leagues
LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is smiling brightly after playing as an NL leadoff in the 95th All-Star Game held at Truist Park on the 16th (Korea time) and hitting a ground ball to first base in the bottom of the second inning. AP Yonhap News



Are you sure you're safe, smiling Ohtani? If we increase the pitching innings, it's about PCA. In fact, the MVP of both leagues
Otani and AL catcher Cal Raleigh talk at their first at-bat in the first inning of the All-Star Game. AFP Yonhap News
I think the biggest concern in the second half of the Major League is the MVP competition.

This is because there is a high possibility of a fierce neck-and-neck race in both leagues. In the AL, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Carl Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs are competing for first place.

ESPN introduced major competition aspects in an article titled 「2025 MLB Awards All-Star Break: MVP, Cy Young Award, Others」 on the 17th (Korea Standard Time).




ESPN ranked by sector based on the index 'AXE'. AXE is an index calculated by combining key value indicators in saber metrics such as WAR (Wins Above Replaceden), WPA (Win Probability Added), and CPA (Champion Probability Added). The higher the league average is 100, the higher the value of the player.

No. 1 in the AL is Judge, who received AXE 162. Raleigh, who received 148, led by a margin of '14'. Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr. (138).

However, Raleigh's rise is formidable. In the May 28 rankings, Judge was 157 and Raleigh was 137, with a difference of 20. It is said that Raleigh has been in a fierce chase in the race for the next six weeks.




Are you sure you're safe, smiling Ohtani? If we increase the pitching innings, it's about PCA. In fact, the MVP of both leagues
New York Yankees Aaron Judge hits in the fourth inning.AFP Yonhap News
Are you sure you're safe, smiling Ohtani? If we increase the pitching innings, it's about PCA. In fact, the MVP of both leagues
Seattle Mariners Carrolli. AFP Yonhap News
Raleigh ranks first in home runs (38) and RBIs (82) in both leagues. He has always run ahead of Judge and Ohtani since leading the division with his 24th home run of the season against the Baltimore Orioles on June 5. However, Judge is considered a leading MVP as he ranks first overwhelmingly in bWAR and fWAR. The bWAR has a jersey of 7.1, the Raleigh of 4.8 and the fWAR has a jersey of 7.4, and the Raleigh of 6.2.

Judge did not miss first place throughout the first half in batting average (0.355), hits (125), on-base percentage (0.462), slugging percentage (0.733), and OPS (1.195). He maintained a batting average of .400 until May 22, ranking second in home runs (35), RBIs (81), and runs (85). In other words, it can be said that it is only behind Raleigh in home runs and RBIs, and is leading in overall attack value.

ESPN posted a batting average of 0.395 when ranking 'AXE in May, but the batting average has since fallen to 0.297. But he offset it with a long shot. At that time in May, the expectation that he would hit 54 home runs in 162 games was raised to 66 home runs now. 'Raleigh continues to be the catcher's best performance ever, so if there are reporters who are fed up with Judge's performance, it could affect the vote, but it is unlikely that Judge will suffer a long slump' It means Judge will eventually be the MVP.




What's interesting is the NL MVP.

Are you sure you're safe, smiling Ohtani? If we increase the pitching innings, it's about PCA. In fact, the MVP of both leagues
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Imstrong. AFP Yonhap News
In AXE, Ohtani ranks first with 144. But Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is just the first with 143. In the May 28 rankings, Crow - Armstrong was first and second with 138 and Ohtani with 136. In other words, Ohtani turned the tide in his performance for the next six weeks.

ESPN reported 'Crow-Armstrong's defensive metrics are No. 1 overall. In addition, his bat skills are strongly emerging as a superstar. If Ohtani and Crow-Armstrong's attack numbers are close, ironically, they can achieve 42 home runs and 46 steals at the current pace. Crow-Armstrong had a Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) of 15, while Ohtani had a Runs Above Average (RAA) 3 during his nine innings as a pitcher, which he expected would narrow the gap considerably as Ohtani continued his pitching.

Are you sure you're safe, smiling Ohtani? If we increase the pitching innings, it's about PCA. In fact, the MVP of both leagues
Tani Shohei hits twice. AFP Yonhap News
In other words, Ohtani lags Crow-Armstrong in defensive value, but if he increases his pitching innings in earnest in the second half of the year, he will maintain the top spot in the overall AXE with overwhelming offense. OPS+ has a big difference of 174 for Otani and 140 for Crow-Armstrong. Ohtani ranks first in the NL in runs (91), home runs (32), slugging percentage (0.605), OPS (0.988), and Ruta (224).

However, if Crow-Armstrong's offense and defense performance continues in the second half, his mind may turn to some extent to Ohtani of the BBWAA (National Baseball Writers Association), which has the right to vote for MVP.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.