When people talk about MVP races in the American League, names like Aaron Judge dominate the conversation. But out in Seattle, Cal Raleigh is putting together a season that deserves just as much attention — even if it won’t come with a trophy.
Raleigh, the Mariners’ slugging catcher, has become the heart and soul of this Seattle squad. And this season? He’s not just playing well — he’s making history. After a two-homer night against the Nationals, he jumped past Judge to take the lead in home runs across the entire American League. That’s right — a catcher is out slugging one of the game’s most feared hitters.
And it’s not just the bat. Raleigh is the total package. Last season, he walked away with both a Gold Glove and a Platinum Glove — the first Mariners catcher to ever do that. He led all catchers in games caught, innings behind the plate, and threw out more baserunners than anyone else in the league. He’s a grinder, a leader, and a defensive anchor.
Offensively, his 2024 season was one for the ages: 34 home runs and 100 RBIs — a franchise record for a catcher. He even passed Hall of Famer Mike Piazza for the most home runs by a catcher in their first four seasons. That’s not just Mariners history. That’s Major League Baseball history.
Even though Seattle missed the postseason last year, Raleigh’s performance couldn’t be ignored. He was the team’s clear MVP and a finalist for the Silver Slugger at catcher. The Mariners didn’t hesitate to invest in their future, locking him down this spring with a six-year, $105 million extension — with a seventh-year option for good measure.
Aaron Judge may end up with the MVP hardware, but make no mistake: Cal Raleigh is putting together a season that belongs in baseball history. And if he keeps mashing like this, the spotlight won’t stay away much longer.