NEW YORK – New York Yankees star Aaron Judge has once again become the top contender for the AL MVP title after the first round of voting by MLB experts. With the 2026 season not even halfway through, Judge has created a formidable gap between himself and the rest of the league with his devastating performance in both power and consistency.

According to the latest statistics, Judge is “on fire” with 16 home runs and 30 RBIs, along with impressive offensive stats of .269/.406/.622. Even more frightening is that all these numbers were achieved in May – a time when many other stars are still finding their rhythm.

In the eyes of MLB experts, Judge is more than just a slugger. He’s demonstrating the image of a true powerhouse in the Yankees lineup – someone who can change the course of a game with a single swing. Every time he steps into the batter’s box, opponents have to carefully consider their pitching strategy, and this inadvertently increases his value in the eyes of analysts.

One expert participating in the MVP voting shared: “It’s not just the home runs. What makes Judge stand out is his ability to maintain pressure on the entire opponent’s pitching system. He makes the whole game revolve around him.”

Judge’s current form also clearly reflects his role as a spiritual leader at Yankee Stadium. In moments when Yankee Stadium needs a breakthrough, Judge is almost always the one to step up and solve the problem. From pivotal home runs to perfectly timed RBIs, he’s making himself the center of every victory.

What makes the MVP race even more interesting is that the season is still very long, but Judge has already built a strong enough statistical foundation to lead the rankings early on. Historically, few players in MLB history have maintained their MVP lead by May, especially in a highly competitive league like the American League.

Beyond pure power, his .406 OBP (Outstanding Performance Index) shows that Judge isn’t just relying on home runs. His ball-picking ability and discipline on the plate are making him a more complete hitter than ever before. This is what leads experts to believe this season could be one of the best of his career.

However, no one in New York wants to talk too soon about the MVP title. The Yankees’ internal focus remains on the team’s goals, especially given the increasingly fierce competition in the AL East. But clearly, when a player is playing at an “elite” level like Judge, individual performances are almost inevitable.

In the Yankees’ locker room, Judge is seen as a role model of consistency. He’s not only a creator of highlight moments, but also a motivator for the entire team throughout a long and intense series of games.

A coaching staff member shared: “The scariest thing is that he still feels like he hasn’t reached his peak. When a player at this level still feels they can get better, that’s a very bad sign for the rest of the league.”

With his current form, the AL MVP race is gradually becoming Aaron Judge’s personal stage. While there are still many potential rivals ahead, what he showed in May was enough to lay the groundwork for a historic season.

And if he continues at this pace, the biggest question in MLB is no longer “who will compete with Judge” – but whether anyone is close enough to keep up with him in the season-long race.