Cal Raleigh Makes History with 30th Home Run for Mariners

The Seattle Mariners’ slugging catcher, Cal Raleigh, keeps rewriting the history books with his wild offensive power in the 2025 MLB season. Raleigh launched his 30th home run of the year during a wild, if disappointing, 10-7 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

His recent home run barrage isn’t just a hot streak—it’s proof of his rare talent. Especially before the All-Star break, Raleigh’s power has set him apart from even the best in the game.

When Raleigh sent that ninth-inning shot soaring into Chicago’s night on Saturday, it capped off a weekend packed with records. On Friday, he’d already smashed his 28th and 29th home runs, passing Hall-of-Famer Johnny Bench for the most homers by a catcher before the All-Star break.

As if that wasn’t enough, Raleigh also broke the record for most pre-break home runs by a switch hitter. That’s a pretty rare club to join.

Cal Raleigh: A Season for the Ages

Raleigh’s 30 home runs in just 75 games put him in a truly elite group. Only eight other players in MLB history have pulled off something like this, and the last time anyone did it was Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzalez back in 2001.

For a bit of context, Raleigh leads all of Major League Baseball in home runs as of June 21. He’s three ahead of Aaron Judge, five up on Shohei Ohtani—yeah, the reigning MVP.

Raleigh isn’t just playing well; he’s on another planet right now.

A War Machine: Raleigh’s Advanced Metrics

Raleigh’s value to the Mariners goes way beyond the box score. FanGraphs puts him second among all players in WAR (Wins Above Replacement) with a 4.9, trailing only Judge.

His wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) sits at a wild 187, which means he’s producing runs at a rate 87% higher than league average. For a catcher, a job that’s brutal on both body and mind, that’s just about unheard of.

Consistency Over Time

What really jumps out about Raleigh is how he’s kept this up over time. This is now his third straight season with 30 or more home runs.

Back in 2022, his first full season, he crushed 27 homers. That steady climb isn’t just luck—it’s the mark of someone determined to leave a real legacy in the game.

All-Star Recognition and Fan Support

Raleigh isn’t just getting love from the numbers crowd. Fans all over the league have taken notice.

He currently leads all American League catchers in All-Star voting for 2025, pulling in over a million votes. With how important he’s been to the Mariners’ offense, his All-Star spot feels more like a coronation than just another selection.

The Rarity of Raleigh’s Power

Switch-hitting catchers with Raleigh’s kind of raw power are almost gone from today’s game. Cubs manager Craig Counsell even took a moment to praise Raleigh, calling out just how rare his accomplishments are before the halfway point of the season.

It’s not every day you see a player blend positional value, historical impact, and this kind of statistical dominance. Raleigh just might go down as one of baseball’s most unique talents—maybe even a once-in-a-generation kind of guy.

Conclusion: A Legendary Campaign Unfolds

As MLB hits its midseason break, Cal Raleigh shines as the clear bright spot for the Seattle Mariners. Honestly, he’s probably up there among the league’s biggest surprises too.

Whether he’s breaking Johnny Bench’s old records or outpacing Judge and Ohtani in home runs, Raleigh’s season feels like something new for catchers. The power is relentless. He just keeps showing up, game after game, and delivering when it matters most.

For Mariners fans, watching Raleigh right now is a real treat. Baseball historians might be jotting down notes for future reference—this 2025 campaign has that vibe. How much further can he go? That’s the question on everyone’s mind.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners’ Cal Raleigh sets MLB records with 30th home run