Cal Raleigh has won the first hardware battle.

The Mariners catcher won the Baseball Digest/Inside Edge major league player of the year award on Friday, beating out Yankees slugger Aaron Judge as the two await their AL MVP fate .

Raleigh won 12 of 24 first-place votes and garnered 56 points from a panel of writers, broadcasters, executives, managers and former players, with Judge — last year’s winner — getting eight first-place votes and 53 points.

Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh (29) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Both players are preparing for the American League Division Series beginning this weekend on the heels of historic regular season campaigns.

Raleigh became the seventh player to hit 60 home runs , demolishing the

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