The Seattle Mariners are 32-27, in second place in the American League West. Perhaps the biggest contributor to their success is Cal Raleigh, who has inserted himself into the AL MVP Race. His monster season could not have come at a better time for the United States as they prepare for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Raleigh is tied for the league lead in home runs with Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers. His 23 home runs are nine more than the next closest catcher, Logan O’Hoppe. Raleigh also has the fourth-highest OPS in all of baseball and the second-highest OPS in the AL, trailing just Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Mariners’ president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto noted why Raleigh is on pace for a new career high in home runs, and it is exactly why Team USA should be rushing to get him on board.
“He’s swinging at better pitches more frequently, and he’s passing the baton in a lineup that I think he knows is a little deeper than it has been in the past,” Dipoto told The Athletic. “It’s amazing what can happen when you don’t feel like you need to hit a homer for us to score and the guys behind you can pick it up — and all of a sudden, he actually is hitting more homers.”
Even though the Mariners’ offense is far from perfect, it is improved from last season. Raleigh is finally playing in a lineup where the pressure of hitting a home run has been lifted off of him, and it has resulted in him actually hitting for more power. Raleigh would be in an even better lineup for Team USA.
Raleigh is on pace to break Salvador Perez’s single-season record of home runs hit by a catcher, 48. In 2023, the United States had Kyle Higashioka, J.T. Realmuto and Will Smith as their catchers. Now, it seems like Raleigh is the clear choice. His offense has taken a huge leap, and he was a Platinum Glover behind the dish last year.
“He just continues to grow and mature in this game,” manager Dan Wilson told MLB.com’s Josh Kirshenbaum after the Mariners’ walk-off win against the Twins when Raleigh hit his 23rd home run. “You add that to what he does behind the plate in a game like this, he’s a real special player. He’s doing it all right now.”
The front office and manager are certainly noticing Raleigh’s great play. However, he himself does not talk about himself much at all. Even in his postgame interview, he would rather talk about his teammates. However, his teammates are not shy about praising him.
“He’s having an excellent season, not only offensively but also defensively,” teammate Randy Arozarena said through a translator after the Mariners’ June 1 win. “What he’s doing right now, it’s great because he’s carrying our offense pretty much.”
“I just wish that he continues to stay healthy and (has) a very long career,” Seattle pitcher Luis Castillo said through a translator. “Because it’s a lot of fun right now.”
There is still plenty of season left to play, and it will be tough for any player in the American League to keep up with or surpass Aaron Judge. However, Raleigh is certainly giving himself a shot.
Photo: Cal Raleigh, center, celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, Jun 1, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
