In a 2025 MLB season that has already been packed with thrilling moments and record-setting performances, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is creating a historic chapter in baseball lore. With his recent 47th home run, Raleigh is on the cusp of breaking the all-time single-season home run record for a catcher a record that has stood since 2021 when Salvador Perez slugged 48 homers. Raleigh’s power surge is not just a team highlight but a monumental personal accomplishment that is captivating fans, analysts, and peers alike.
Raleigh's journey this season has been nothing short of electrifying. As a switch-hitter, he combines rare offensive prowess with the demanding defensive responsibilities of catching, a role traditionally associated with stamina and defense over power hitting. His 2025 campaign has already vaulted him into the MLB history books, having surpassed Johnny Bench’s long-standing mark for most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break. Bench, a Hall of Famer and two-time MVP, finished the 1970 season with 45 home runs a record Raleigh has now eclipsed with time left in the campaign.
In his latest display of hitting dominance, Raleigh sent a 97 mph fastball soaring 416 feet into the right-field stands at Angel Stadium, marking his 40th homer of the season in late July. This feat alone made him the first catcher and first switch-hitter in MLB history to reach 40 home runs before August, joining the elite company of Ken Griffey Jr., Jay Buhner, and Alex Rodriguez within the Mariners’ franchise history.
The numbers tell a compelling story: Raleigh’s 47 homers place him second all-time for catchers in a single season, just one shy of Salvador Perez’s record. He is also inching closer to breaking records for homers by a switch-hitter in a season and home runs hit while playing catcher in games (excluding pinch hits or designated hitter appearances). His current pace predicts a staggering 62 home runs by season’s end, which would tie Aaron Judge’s 2022 American League record.
Beyond the power statistics, Raleigh has reached the milestone of 100 RBIs this season, becoming the first catcher since Mike Piazza to record consecutive 100 RBI campaigns while playing primarily behind the plate. Mike Piazza did this for five straight seasons from 1996 to 2000, underlining the elite nature of Raleigh’s offensive output.
Raleigh’s teammates and opponents have taken notice. His former teammate Jarred Kelenic humorously coined Raleigh’s nickname, “The Big Dumper,” a nod to both his physical build and his knack for blasting clutch home runs. Mike Piazza, a legendary hitter himself, has frequently praised Raleigh’s raw power and disciplined approach at the plate.
Manager Scott Servais remarked on Raleigh’s historic season: "Cal is the backbone of this lineup. His ability to deliver in big moments while handling the physical demands of catching every day is extraordinary. This is a season for the ages.”
As the Mariners chase playoff positioning in the competitive AL West, Raleigh’s homers carry added significance. Each blast not only fuels Seattle’s run production but also brings the team closer to postseason glory. With just a handful of games remaining and less than two homers standing between Raleigh and the catcher home run record, the baseball world watches with bated breath.
Cal Raleigh’s 2025 season is a rousing testament to power, perseverance, and redefining positional expectations. His upcoming crack at the home run record is more than just a chase for numbers it is a defining story of a catcher transforming baseball history with every mighty swing. The chase for number 48 is on, and if the season continues in its current trajectory, the Mariners’ slugger will rewrite the record books in spectacular fashion.
LATEST
- NEWS
- |
- ARTICLES
- |
- VIDEOS
FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK
