Cal Raleigh’s 2025 season is breaking all the established molds for a catcher in Major League Baseball. With just half the calendar gone, the Seattle Mariners catcher has set off alarm bells throughout baseball by showing a power production never before seen from his position. His bat has not only been the offensive engine of the Mariners, but has placed him in territory reserved for the greatest sluggers in history.
Raleigh is not following in anyone’s footsteps. He is blazing his own trail with a blistering home run pace that projects him to 63 on the season. This would put him above the all-time American League record of 62 home runs set by Aaron Judge in 2022. But most strikingly, he is doing it from a position that is physically and mentally demanding like few others: catcher.
An unprecedented pace
Cal Raleigh’s impact goes beyond eye-catching statistics: he is setting a new standard for what is expected of an offensive catcher. During a memorable day at Wrigley Field, the left-handed slugger hit his 28th and 29th home runs of the year, breaking a mark that Johnny Bench had set more than half a century ago. Raleigh did it in just 73 games, surpassing the Hall of Famer with astonishing efficiency.
But the magnitude of the achievement goes beyond the numbers. Raleigh currently leads all MLB hitters in home runs, surpassing established figures such as Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge himself. It is an unprecedented milestone for a catcher and confirms that his is not a passing fad, but the reflection of a player who has perfected his approach in the batter’s box.
More than power: an MVP candidacy
What sets Raleigh apart is not only the frequency with which he sends the ball out of the park, but also the context in which he is doing so. Seattle has had its offensive ups and downs, but Raleigh has emerged as a constant, keeping his team in the fight for the top of the American League West. His ability to produce against pitchers from both sides of the plate and his consistency in high-impact games (with six multi-homer games on the year) cement him as an elite player.
In addition to his power, his quiet leadership, the physical endurance required for his position and his performance behind the plate make him a legitimate contender for the Most Valuable Player award. Breaking records is fine; dominating all aspects of the game, from catching, is what elevates him to a new category.
Every time Cal Raleigh hits a home run, he not only adds to his personal tally, he defies history and redefines what we thought possible. If he manages to keep up the pace and hit 63 or more home runs, he will not only surpass Judge, but he will do so from a position that has historically prioritized defense over offense.
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