Cal Raleigh Shatters Home Run Records in Historic 2025 Season

Cal Raleigh, the powerhouse catcher for the Seattle Mariners, has made Major League Baseball history in 2025, delivering a season that has redefined what is possible for his position. Raleigh, affectionately nicknamed “Big Dumper,” has shattered both franchise and league records, becoming a driving force behind the Mariners’ first AL West division title in 24 years. After signing a six-year, $105 million extension in late March, Raleigh opened his historic home run campaign just days later. What followed was a relentless power surge: he became the first catcher in MLB history to hit 20 home runs before the end of May and set the record for most homers by a catcher in his team’s first 53 games. By the All-Star break, Raleigh had already hit 30 home runs, making him the first switch-hitter ever to reach that milestone so early in a season, surpassing legends like Mickey Mantle and José Ramírez. Raleigh’s exploits at the plate continued through the summer, and he capped off his All-Star experience by becoming the first catcher—and the first switch-hitter to win the Home Run Derby outright, joining Mariners icon Ken Griffey Jr. as the only Mariners to take home the trophy. Raleigh’s 2025 season has been filled with milestones: he surpassed Griffey Jr.’s franchise single-season home run record of 56, eclipsed Mantle’s mark for most home runs by a switch-hitter in a single season, and became the first primary catcher ever to reach 50 home runs in a year. On August 24, Raleigh broke Salvador Perez’s MLB record for homers by a catcher in a single season, and he didn’t slow down, launching his 60th home run as the Mariners clinched the AL West. Statistically, Raleigh’s campaign is jaw-dropping. He led all MLB catchers in home runs for the third consecutive year, a feat unmatched since Mike Piazza. Raleigh also set a new MLB record for home runs by a catcher through his first five seasons, outpacing the likes of Piazza and Alvin Davis. Defensively, he won both the Rawlings Gold Glove and AL Platinum Glove awards, and he was a finalist for the Silver Slugger. Raleigh led MLB catchers in caught stealings, innings caught, and boasted a catcher ERA of 3.30. His all-around impact is reflected in his 4.6 bWAR and 5.4 fWAR, both franchise records for a Mariners catcher. Historical context underlines Raleigh’s greatness. He’s the first catcher in Mariners history with back-to-back 25+ home run seasons and the 12th catcher in MLB history with multiple 30+ HR seasons. His 100+ RBI campaign marked another franchise first for a catcher. He’s also the only MLB player with multi-home run games against 10 different teams in a season, and the Mariners went 22-3 in regular season games when he homered. Raleigh’s journey from a third-round pick out of Florida State University in 2018 to a franchise cornerstone is a testament to his work ethic and power-hitting prowess. At 28 years old and standing 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Raleigh has not only redefined the offensive ceiling for catchers but has also positioned himself as a leading MVP candidate. His 2025 season will be studied for years by analysts and fans alike, as he continues to push the boundaries of what a catcher can achieve in the modern game. For in-depth stats and further highlights, visit Cal Raleigh’s Baseball-Reference page and follow the latest updates from Seattle Mariners Twitter.