The regular season winds down with under 20 games. Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. and New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge are lighting up the diamond and pushing their teams toward the postseason. With the stakes higher than ever, both stars are making their mark and shaping their teams’ destinies as October draws near.  Both the teams faced each other this Monday. 

The New York Yankees stormed to a commanding 10-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Witt proved his swiftness in the fifth inning, racing from first base to home plate on a popup that fell right between Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto. Aaron Judge envied Witt’s speed and wished he had that kind of speed. Witt Jr. has been a game-changer for the Royals, who now sit comfortably in the second AL Wild Card spot, 2.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins. 

Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. showcase respect amidst intense race

As both teams and players battle fiercely for top honors, Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. are locked in a thrilling MVP race, yet they hold each other in the highest esteem. Yankees manager Aaron Boone called Witt “maybe the fastest player in the league,” and Witt proved it in the fifth inning, racing from first base to home plate on a popup that fell right between Gleyber Torres and Juan Soto. Aaron Judge, who hasn’t homered in 13 games since August 25, marveled at Witt’s speed. “That’s one thing I wish I had in my bag. I wish I could score from first on a popup,”Judge said to The New York Post. “Just seeing the growth the past couple of seasons, he just gets better and better.”

Meanwhile, Judge has been a driving force for the Yankees. They are not only clinging to a slim half-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles but also boast the best record in the American League. It looks like Bobby Witt Jr. and Aaron Judge are not only standout players but also fans of each other. Witt, in an interview with ESPN’s Jeff Passan, couldn’t hide his admiration for Judge’s approach to the game and his character off the field.

He even went so far as to give Judge a special nickname – ‘King of New York’, underscoring his high regard. “He’s just so consistent,” Witt said of Judge. Witt, reflecting on his own performance compared to Judge’s, said, “Balls I hit in the right-center field gap that are doubles, triples, he’s hitting those out, way out, for homers.”  As the American League MVP race heats up, the spotlight is firmly on Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr., who are poised to finish first and second, respectively.

MVP showdown: Aaron Judge vs. Bobby Witt Jr.

Both superstars have dazzled with league-leading stats and have been instrumental in guiding their teams to the postseason.  Aaron Judge is putting on a historic performance this season, with numbers that are nothing short of spectacular. Leading MLB with 51 home runs and 125 RBIs, Judge’s offensive prowess is unrivaled. His eye-popping stats—116 walks, a .455 on-base percentage, a .695 slugging percentage, and a 1.150 OPS—showcase why he’s at the top of the league in nearly every category. As the captain of the Yankees, he’s propelled his team to the best record in the American League. This season, Judge has etched his name in the history books by becoming the fastest player to reach 300 career home runs. 

Bobby Witt Jr. is making waves this season with a stellar .336 batting average—the highest in MLB—Witt is proving himself to be a hitting machine. His 192 hits lead the league, and he’s also at the top with 118 runs scored, showcasing his ability to not just reach base, but to make things happen once he’s there. His remarkable 9.0 WAR, the second-highest in the majors, underscores his all-around excellence and impact on the field. He’s on track for his second straight 30-30 season, a remarkable feat already surpassing his career high in RBIs.  

While the MVP race can be subjective, Witt’s extraordinary year certainly makes a compelling case. His remarkable numbers and impactful play are hard to ignore, even though he’s up against the video game-like stats of Aaron Judge. As the season wraps up, don’t be surprised if Witt’s name continues to echo as a key contender in the MVP debate. With all these impressive stats and standout performances, the million-dollar question emerges: Is Bobby Witt Jr. having a season worthy of an American League MVP nod?