In the inaugural edition of theScore’s 2025 Most Valuable Player rankings, the top players in the American and National Leagues are highlighted. In the AL, Aaron Judge leads with impressive stats including 12 home runs and a .412 batting average, followed by Cal Raleigh and Jorge Polanco. The NL features Pete Alonso at the top, boasting 9 home runs and a .341 average, with Kyle Tucker and Fernando Tatis Jr. also making notable impacts for their teams.
The AL Central-leading Tigers were active at the trade deadline, focusing on pitching depth by adding Charlie Morton and Chris Paddack to the rotation, while enhancing the bullpen with Kyle Finnegan and Rafael Montero. President Scott Harris emphasized the importance of maintaining their top-ranked farm system over making short-term fixes, aiming for sustained success rather than just a single-season push. Want More Context? 🔎
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Jhoan Durán made a remarkable impact in his second game for the Philadelphia Phillies, recording his second save and setting a park record with a 103.3 mph fastball, followed by a 102.5 mph game-ending strikeout, marking the fastest by a Phillies pitcher since 2008. His dominant performance helped the Phillies secure a 2-0 shutout against the Detroit Tigers, maintaining their half-game lead in the NL East. Want More Context? 🔎
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Outfielder Oscar Mercado has opted out of his minor league contract with the Phillies, who subsequently released him, prompting his return to the open market. A former standout in 2019, Mercado has struggled in the majors since, but has shown promise in Triple-A with a .252/.373/.385 line and 35 stolen bases, potentially increasing his chances of securing a big league opportunity following trade deadline moves. Want More Context? 🔎
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