• The Elite Five: A Statistical Review of the Best MLB Players of 2025–2026

    Here is a review of the 5 MLB players in the 2025 season. We will look at numbers and what they did to stand out. The MLB players performance was measured in a ways. We looked at things like home runs and batting average. We also looked at things like ERA. The MLB players were also measured by detailed numbers like WAR. We want to know which MLB players were really good at baseball in the 2025 season. We also want to know if the MLB players will still be good, in 2026. The MLB players who are good now will likely still be good year.

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    1. Aaron Judge – New York Yankees (OF / DH)

    Aaron Judge was the premier player in baseball in 2025, leading in nearly every major offensive category. In one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory, Judge claimed the American League MVP and captured his first career batting title.

    2025 Highlights

    • Batting Average: .331 (MLB-leading)

    • Home Runs: 53

    • RBIs: 114

    • On-Base %: .457

    • Slugging %: .688

    • OPS: 1.144 (MLB’s best)

    • WAR: ~10.1 (top in MLB)

    Why He’s #1: Judge’s 2025 season wasn’t just big — it was historic. Leading the majors in average, OPS, walks, and total offensive value (WAR), he was the most productive everyday player. His rare combination of power and batting discipline places him among the elite hitters ever.

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    2. Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers (DH / P)

    Shohei Ohtani continued to redefine positional versatility, delivering one of the most remarkable MVP-winning campaigns in history. He earned the National League MVP unanimously for the 2025 season — his fourth career MVP — and did it with huge impact on both sides of the ball.

    2025 Highlights

    • Home Runs: 55 (NL-leading)

    • Batting Average: ~.282

    • OBP / SLG: ~.392/.622

    • Stolen Bases: 20

    • Pitching Contribution: ~62 strikeouts / ~47 IP with strong ERA as a starter/reliever

    • Total Offensive WAR: ~7.5; added pitching value beyond that.

    Why He’s #2: Ohtani is not just a hitter — he’s baseball’s only active full-time batter-pitcher. His blend of league-leading power, run production, and valuable innings on the mound makes him uniquely dominant. Even as a primary DH in 2025, he still contributed elite pitching and finished among the top WAR leaders.

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    3. Cal Raleigh – Seattle Mariners (C)

    Cal Raleigh had a historic offensive season from one of baseball’s toughest positions — catcher. His 2025 breakout made him one of the most feared middle-of-the-order bats in the sport.

    2025 Highlights

    • Home Runs: 60 (MLB-leading)

    • RBIs: 125 (league-leading or near-top)

    • OPS and Power Metrics: Among the elite in the game.

    • WAR: ~9.1, top among position players.

    Why He’s #3: Raleigh’s 60-home-run season is rare not just overall — it’s virtually unprecedented for a catcher. Between his power, run production, and positional value, he was one of baseball’s most valuable and disruptive offensive forces in 2025.

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    4. Juan Soto – New York Mets (OF)

    Juan Soto arrived in New York with enormous expectations — and in 2025, he delivered one of his best all-around seasons yet, combining power, discipline, and speed in a rare 30-30 campaign.

    2025 Highlights

    • Average: .263

    • Hits: 152

    • Home Runs: 43

    • RBIs: 105

    • Stolen Bases: 38

    • OBP: .396

    Why He’s #4: Soto proved he’s not just a pure power threat — he’s among the most complete offensive players in baseball. Combining elite on-base skills with run production and above-average speed (38 steals), he was one of the game’s most feared bats and earned MVP finalist consideration.

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    5. Tarik Skubal – Detroit Tigers (SP)

    Among pitchers, Tarik Skubal stood above the rest in 2025, delivering a season that combined strikeouts, dominance, and run prevention. His performance was historically strong enough to earn back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards.

    2025 Highlights

    • Record: 13-6 with elite peripherals.

    • Strikeouts: 241 (one of MLB’s highest)

    • ERA: ~2.21 (top in AL)

    • WHIP & Command: Led MLB in WHIP (~0.89) and K/BB ratio.

    • WAR (Pitching): ~6.6 — best among many starters.

    Why He’s #5: While hitters dominated headlines, Skubal was the most effective pitcher in baseball in 2025 — mixing elite strikeout stuff with exceptional control and consistency. His back-to-back Cy Young recognition speaks to his impact and value.

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    Honorable Mentions

    Some other stars really stood out in 2025. They are still considered stars.

    • Bobby Witt Jr. (KC Royals) — elite all-around SS with speed and hits.

    • Kyle Schwarber (Phillies) — massive power numbers and RBI totals.

    • Paul Skenes (Pirates) — emerging ace, elite young pitcher.

    • Geraldo Perdomo (D-Backs) — high value and strong offensive metrics.

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    Summary

    The 2025 MLB season had some great performances but there were five players who did better than everyone else. These five players were great at the way of looking at baseball stats the new way of looking at baseball stats and they were also very valuable, to their teams:

    1. Aaron Judge — best offensive player in baseball.

    2. Shohei Ohtani — unmatched two-way impact.

    3. Cal Raleigh — historic power from the catcher position.

    4. Juan Soto — complete offensive star with power and speed.

    5. Tarik Skubal — dominant ace leading the pitching ranks.

    These players not only led the league statistically but also shaped the competitive landscape of the 2025 season and will likely continue to be among MLB’s brightest stars in 2026 and beyond.

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