Mariners’ Cal Raleigh figuring out spotlight that comes with homer bonanza

A new challenger has entered the competition for the home run crown this season. 

Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is suddenly in the spotlight. He leads the league with 36 home runs just before the All-Star break.

That number is a new Mariners franchise record before the All-Star Game, usurping the great Ken Griffey Jr., who hit 35 before the break in 1998. 

With his sudden rise to fame, Raleigh has become the talk of MLB, leading to more attention, which is not something he relishes. 

“I mean, I don’t really necessarily enjoy it, but it’s fine,” Raleigh said before the Mariners-Yankees game on Wednesday night. “You know it means you’re doing something good and you’re doing something right. … I’m very fortunate to be in that spot.” 

Raleigh is on pace for 64 homers; the American League record of 62 was set by Aaron Judge in 2022. Judge also is Raleigh’s primary competitor for the homer crown this season, sitting just behind him with 34 heading into Wednesday’s action. 

Raleigh has not talked much to Judge this season, other than while Judge is at the plate, but he has mimicked one facet of his approach. 

“I use his Tall Order socks,” Raleigh said. “They make really good socks, so I let him know last night. They’re awesome.” 

In reality, Raleigh has made a few improvements at the plate that could be making a difference this season. 

The catcher has consistently been a solid performer at the plate, hitting 27 or more home runs in each of his four full seasons in the big leagues. A few areas he has struggled: his strikeout and chase rates. In 2024, his strikeout rate was 28 percent and his whiff rate was at 32.7.

This year, those numbers have dropped to 24.7 and 29 percent. 

Raleigh said his lower whiff rate has helped him this season. 

“Yeah, for sure,” Raleigh said. “Being stubborn to your plan and letting the game come to you is huge.”