Best catching season ever? Inside Cal Raleigh’s historic rise

Major League Baseball: Best Catching Season Ever? Inside Cal Raleigh’s Historic Rise

Updated Jul. 14, 2025, 11:26 p.m. ET

Rowan Kavner, MLB Writer

Editor’s note: Cal Raleigh’s unforgettable season continued on Monday with an emphatic Home Run Derby win. This story was originally published on June 25.

Ask Cal Raleigh how he reached this point, on track for the greatest season from a catcher in MLB history, and you’ll find there isn’t one simple answer. The 28-year-old is hitting the ball in the air more than any player in baseball, but he insists that’s not a conscious effort. There are subtle differences in his stance compared to previous years: he’s standing a bit closer to the plate and has narrowed his stance more than before. However, these adjustments weren’t made with intention.

“But you can’t argue the numbers,” Raleigh said when shown the data. “If they’re there, they’re there. It might be something I just wasn’t thinking of and it happened.”

Whatever impact these tweaks have on his performance in 2025, the results are impressive for MLB’s home run leader. Raleigh is poised to break the single-season home run record for a catcher and achieve the best offensive season ever from any National League or American League catcher. He is currently on track for an 11-fWAR season; no catcher before him has ever hit a 10-fWAR season.

This success didn’t come out of nowhere — after all, Raleigh led all catchers in home runs for the last three seasons — but the improvement this year is monumental. Raleigh’s performance has soared from being 12% above league average in his first four seasons to nearly 100% above the league average this season, achieving career-best rates in hard-hit balls, barrel rates, and walks, alongside the lowest strikeout and chase rates of his career.

So, as “Big Dumper” evolves into “Big Thumper,” how does Raleigh explain this MVP-caliber performance in the first half? He largely credits his consistent preparation and the knowledge he’s gained over four big-league seasons that shaped his perspective and approach at the plate.

Raleigh feels fortunate to have hitting coaches like Edgar Martinez and Kevin Seitzer, both of whom have played in the majors. He also acknowledges the influence of players and coaches who are no longer with the team. During his brief time in Seattle, veteran infielder Justin Turner and former bench coach Brant Brown left a significant mark on him. Despite playing just 48 games with the Mariners last season, Turner’s analytical approach to the game and his insights on pitchers greatly impacted Raleigh.

“It’s not necessarily something physical or the swing, but just a guy who knew how to talk baseball, knew how to talk through situations to make them simpler, and really helped clear my mind when facing tough situations,” Raleigh explained. “I love that guy.”

Brant Brown, who has since become the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, also made a considerable impact during his time with the Mariners. Brown was hired in winter 2023 but was let go at the end of May 2024, yet his teachings left a lasting impression. Raleigh’s 93 home runs before this year were the most by a catcher in their first four seasons in MLB history, with 73 of those hit as a left-handed batter. Prior to the 2025 season, Raleigh had never slugged above .450 as a right-handed hitter, but this year he is slugging .736 from the right side with an OPS over 1 philippines sport.000 from both sides of the plate.

Part of this right-handed success, Raleigh believes, comes from getting more practice against left-handed pitchers. “It’s tough when your off days coincide with lefties on the mound,” he said. “You can go an entire week without facing them, so it’s essential to keep both sides sharp.”

In the offseason leading to the 2024 season, he made it a priority to improve his right-handed hitting, aiming to make opposing teams reconsider bringing in a lefty to face him in a clutch situation.

Brown helped him realize, “You’re not the same guy from both sides of the plate.” He spent a lot of time with Raleigh during the offseason, which the catcher greatly appreciated. Back in 2022, Raleigh found himself optioned to Triple-A Tacoma, struggling to maintain consistency. Three years later, he is outhomering Aaron Judge, outslugging Shohei Ohtani, and becoming the only switch-hitter in MLB history to record at least 30 home runs before the All-Star break, achieving that milestone in just 75 games—the fastest since Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzalez in 2001.

Yet, he remains grounded and focused on what’s important. “You appreciate it, but at the same time, I know the priority in this sport is winning games,” Raleigh said earlier this month when asked if he takes time to enjoy his success. “I have to keep my head down and remember it’s a long season, a full 162 games, and stay consistent in my approach day in and day out.”

Cliché or not, Raleigh, who has logged more innings than any other player over the last three seasons, knows his priorities. On June 6, he walked through the visiting clubhouse at Angel Stadium wearing a dark Seattle T-shirt with “availability” emblazoned on the back. This was a fitting motto—his impressive power numbers stand out, especially for a catcher who rarely misses games. Raleigh has played in 77 of the Mariners’ 78 games and has made 76 starts, including 59 behind the plate. casino vipph

In the first year of a six-year, $105 million extension, “Big Dumper” is proving Seattle’s faith in him. Pitcher Emerson Hancock said, “He’s such a special person to have phdream play. His knowledge behind the plate lets me trust him fully. It starts with planning, knowing what you want to do going into the game. In crucial moments, I know I can lean on him; he’s always thinking about what to do and how to approach it.”

Raleigh is not showing signs of fading under the pressure of the sport’s most demanding position. On Monday night, he received “MVP” chants at Target Field after hitting his 32nd home run of the season—his sixth in just six games. This performance came after an explosive four-home run weekend, showcasing his capabilities from both sides of the plate, as a heat wave swept through Wrigley Field. In doing so, Raleigh surpassed Johnny Bench for the most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break vip login.

“He was good from the left side, then improved from the right, and got better defensively,” teammate Dylan Moore said. “It’s no surprise to me; I’ve seen his dedication week in and week out.”

Salvador Perez holds the record for the most home runs by a primary catcher in a season with 48; Raleigh is currently on track for 67, a feat only overshadowed by Bonds (73 in 2001) and Mark McGwire (70 in 1998). While it may seem far-fetched to expect Raleigh to maintain this performance level, history suggests he is not one to experience second-half slumps. Throughout his career, he has shown improved results post-All-Star break, showcasing his tenacity.

“Sometimes you do need to decrease your practice volume,” Raleigh advised. “You can’t go out and take 100 swings every day. You need to find the balance between rest and staying prepared. That comes with experience and learning from others, and the last two months of the season are crucial for performance bdg game apk.”

With 18 games remaining before the first half ends, Raleigh is poised for his first All-Star appearance. If he hits three more home runs, he’ll tie Ken Griffey Jr.’s franchise record for the most home runs in the first half of a season. Raleigh’s remarkable rise, characterized by his elite mix of power and defense, solidified his place among the best players in his position this year. Now, with records within reach, it’s clear where he stands in the MLB hierarchy.

“We see it every day, so we know how good he is,” Moore said. “He’s No. 1 in my book.”

What are your thoughts on Cal Raleigh’s incredible season so far?