Does Cal Raleigh’s Big Dumper Boost His Home Run Power?

This article dives into how Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh’s build—especially his powerful lower half—became both a signature and a real advantage. It weaves together biomechanics, scouting stories, and even a bit of baseball humor to show why glute strength matters more than most fans realize.

Cal Raleigh’s Build Caught Attention Long Before the Majors

When Cal Raleigh was still grinding through the minors, people noticed more than just his stats. His body type stood out right away.

Former Mariners minor-league strength coach Michael Sadler remembers seeing Raleigh in 2019 and immediately clocking his thick, powerful frame. The guy just had an unmistakably strong lower half.

At about 6-foot-2 and well over 200 pounds, Raleigh had size, switch-hitting ability, and solid defense. To baseball lifers, that mix suggested a player who could stick around.

While fans would eventually joke about his build, scouts saw something else—untapped power potential.

The Science Behind Power: Why Glutes Matter in Baseball

Strength coach Bret Contreras—who goes by “The Glute Guy”—has always pushed the value of building up the posterior chain. In baseball, he keeps it simple: strong glutes mean explosive, short-burst force.

How the Lower Body Drives Performance

Contreras says the glute muscles handle hip extension, external rotation, and abduction. Those movements are the backbone for:

The glutes let players drive into the ground and turn that push into bat speed or throwing velocity. Catchers like Raleigh get an extra boost—squatting for nine innings builds serious lower-body strength, and targeted lifts just stack on top.

What Scouts See When They Look Below the Waist

There’s no official “butt grade” on scouting reports, but scouts always check out a player’s lower half. Strong thighs and glutes can hint at future power, especially in younger guys who haven’t filled out up top yet.

Exceptions to the Rule

Twins scout Kevin Goldstein points out that not every power hitter fits the same mold. Some guys get pop from quick hands or a killer bat path. Others are leaner and rely on timing and leverage.

Still, most agree: big, strong glutes almost never hurt a player’s projection. They’re usually a sign of durability and power that’s just waiting to show up.

From Strength Training to “The Big Dumper”

Former MLB catcher Anthony Recker, who had his own famous posterior, says glute strength needs to connect with everything else. The trick is making the glutes work with the core, hamstrings, back, and shoulders so the power doesn’t get stuck anywhere along the way.

Raleigh took that idea seriously in training, doing heavy glute bridges and hip thrusts on the regular. As he started producing on the field, his internet fame took off too.

Once the nickname “The Big Dumper” caught on, Raleigh just rolled with it. He turned a physical trait into part of his public persona, which honestly takes some guts.

Why Big Glutes Are a Competitive Advantage

Experts in the field seem to agree on one thing: strong, well-developed glutes give baseball players a real edge. They boost power and help with durability.

Glutes also improve movement efficiency. There’s just no sign they get in the way of performance.

For Cal Raleigh, what started as a running joke turned into something much more. His build isn’t just a punchline—it’s a legit biomechanical advantage.

Honestly, it helps explain why he’s thriving at the top level. In today’s game, where every tiny edge counts, sometimes the big difference really is in the lower half.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Does a big dumper make you better at baseball?