Cal Raleigh is having an award-worthy year with more than 60 home runs and a key role in the Mariners’ run to the World Series. The catcher seemed to be in the conversation not only for the American League MVP, but also as a finalist for the Gold Glove, but unfortunately for the catcher things have changed in a matter of weeks.
Raleigh has been left out of the top three finalists for the 2025 Gold Glove despite winning the Platinum Glove last year for being the best defensive player in all of Major League Baseball. But that wasn’t all, in the midst of a great offensive season, the MVP narrative has once again tilted towards New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge and now the Mariners catcher could end the 2025 season without any awards to do justice to what he has done this year.
Cal Raleigh out of the 2025 Gold Glove: a decision that generates controversy
Cal Raleigh’s absence from the final Gold Glove list surprised all baseball fans and analysts, but instead Dillon Dingler, Alejandro Kirk and Carlo Narvaez were selected. This move has been branded as “unfair” to his defensive work behind the plate, which has been vital for Seattle to be in the American League Championship Series.
Cal Raleigh attributed the decline in his defensive metrics to changes in the strike zone this year: “We saw how the zone was reduced for the umpires and that was a big factor. I’m not obsessed with that, we have bigger things ahead of us,” were the words of the catcher.
Aaron Judge and the MVP: Does Cal Raleigh have any real chance?
With his 60 home runs in 159 games, Raleigh should be considered for MVP, as he has been the offensive heart of a Seattle Mariners team that reached the Championship Series for the first time since 2005 and is fighting to play in its first World Series in its history. However, the favoritism towards Aaron Judge seems to be maintained by the history and media weight of the Yankees player.
Cal Raleigh is a complete player who combines offense with defense, but his individual recognition has been limited, being left out of the 2025 Gold Glove finalists and with little chance of an MVP.
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