How Yelich’s 2025 power surge compares to his MVP season 

Christian Yelich is no stranger to headlines over the course of his career. But in 2025, the buzz isn’t just about a hot streak — it’s about a possible power transformation that could rival, and even potentially surpass, the fireworks from his 2018 MVP campaign.

Back in mid-June of 2018, Yelich had just nine home runs, 30 RBIs, and was slashing a strong .297/.370/.476 with a 128 wRC+. He struck out at a 21.8 percent clip and was seen more as a balanced offensive presence than a pure power hitter. Of course, the second half of that season was legendary as he exploded down the stretch, finishing with 36 home runs, a 1.000 OPS, and a National League MVP award to show for his efforts.

Christian Yelich’s 2025 power surge is outpacing his MVP season

Now flash forward to June 16, 2025. Yelich is already sitting on 14 home runs and 43 RBIs, with a slash line of .239/.323/.427 and a 110 wRC+. A number not to glance over might be his 27.1 percent strikeout rate — a noticeable jump that signals a shift in approach. It appears Yelich may be trading some of the contact and on-base consistency that defined his MVP season for a more aggressive, power-centric style. And it appears to be working — at least in the power department.

He’s on pace for roughly 30–35 home runs if he maintains this clip, which would put him right in line with or even slightly ahead of his 2018 home run total. What’s more, this production is coming without the benefit of an outrageous hot streak like he had in the second half of 2018. Instead, this has been a steady, sustained power presence in the middle of the order. That’s a notable shift for a player who’s battled injuries and performance dips in recent seasons.

However, there’s clearly a trade-off. Yelich’s batting average and OPS are both significantly lower than what we saw during his MVP year. His OBP is nearly 50 points lower. And while the power is legitimate, it’s coming with a swing-and-miss approach that doesn’t always hold up over the course of a full season.

That said, Yelich’s revamped game might be exactly what the Brewers need. With a younger, more athletic lineup around him, having a veteran slugger in the middle of the order who can change the game with one swing is valuable — even if it comes with a few more whiffs.

If he stays healthy — and that’s always the big if — he has a real shot of eclipsing his 36 home run total from 2018. He’s ahead of his pace by five long balls at the same point in the season. If he catches fire in the second half like he did seven years ago, even the 40-homer plateau might not be out of reach.