If you were a pitcher in the American League, the last person you wanted to see stepping to the plate was Aaron Judge.

The New York Yankees outfielder captured his second MVP award for the AL champions.

Judge posted a .322 batting average while leading the league in homers with 58 and in RBI with 144.

Judge formed a fearsome slugging duo with Juan Soto and led the Yankees past the Cleveland Guardians to the American League pennant.

Only the Los Angeles Dodgers – and fellow unanimous MVP Shohei Ohtani – kept the Yankees away from a 28th World championship.

Judge’s previous MVP award came in 2022, when he walloped 62 home runs.

OTHER CONTENDERS

Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was the unanimous choice for second place in the MVP voting.

Witt is one of the most exciting young stars in the league, leading the Royals to an 86-76 record and a spot in the playoffs.

He also led the league in batting average (.332) and won his first Gold Glove award.

Soto, who is about to haul in a massive pile of money as baseball’s top free agent, took third place. The Yankees outfielder hit .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBI.

Rounding out the top five in the American League voting were Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson and Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez.