Cal Raleigh Belts Game-Winning Grand Slam: How the Mariners’ Rising Star Stunned the AL West

SEATTLE — There is a new name atop the American League home-run leaderboard, and it belongs to Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. The 28-year-old slugger launched his 18th and 19th bombs of the season in Tuesday night’s 9-1 rout of the Washington Nationals at T-Mobile Park, staking a firm claim to “power hitter to watch” status as June approaches. Big swings, bigger numbers The switch-hitting Raleigh opened the scoring in the first inning, crushing a 429-foot drive into the second deck moments after Julio Rodríguez’s two-run shot. He added a no-doubt blast to left in the fifth, ending Nationals starter Mitchell Parker’s night and passing Aaron Judge for the AL lead. Only Shohei Ohtani (20) sits ahead of him in all of Major League Baseball. Raleigh is now on pace for 58 homers, a figure that would obliterate the single-season franchise record (Ken Griffey Jr.’s 56 in 1997 and 1998) and set a new high-water mark for primary catchers in MLB history. He also became the first Seattle backstop to record 19 long balls before June. Pitching supports the pop While Raleigh and Rodríguez provided the fireworks, rookie right-hander Logan Evans quietly spun eight dominant innings, scattering four hits and fanning four for his third win. The lone blemish came on top Nationals prospect James Wood’s 448-foot solo homer in the fourth. Evans’ emergence gives Seattle’s rotation another weapon behind Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Bryce Miller—a key development for a club eyeing its first AL West crown since 2001. Why Raleigh’s surge matters • Lineup balance: Raleigh’s switch-hitting power protects Rodríguez and J.P. Crawford, forcing opposing managers into matchup headaches. • Defensive stability: His 33 percent caught-stealing rate and improved pitch-framing keep him on the field, maximizing plate appearances. • Fantasy impact: In most formats Raleigh entered the season as a late-round sleeper. He’s now a must-start catcher and legitimate MVP dark horse. Player reaction “It’s just trusting my process and hunting pitches I can drive,” Raleigh told reporters postgame. “When we’re all clicking, this lineup can put up a crooked number in a hurry.” Manager Scott Servais added, “Cal’s growth as a hitter and leader is obvious. He sets the tone not only with the bat but with how he handles our staff.” What’s next Seattle (34-19) maintains a four-game cushion atop the division and resumes the three-game set tonight with right-hander George Kirby facing Nationals rookie Jackson Rutledge. Raleigh will look to extend his home-run streak and possibly catch Ohtani before the calendar flips to June. Key stats to know • 19 HR: Raleigh’s MLB rank — 2nd (1st in AL) • 165 wRC+: Highest among AL catchers • 8.4 Barrels/PA %: Top five in MLB (min. 150 PA) • 58 HR pace: Would rank 4th all-time by a switch-hitter FAQ: Cal Raleigh 2025 Q: How many home runs did Cal Raleigh hit in 2024? A: He finished with 36, the most by any catcher that season. Q: What is Cal Raleigh’s nickname? A: “Big Dumper,” a nod to both his build and his knack for clutch hits. Q: Is Raleigh under team control? A: Yes. He is pre-arbitration through 2025, giving Seattle cost-controlled power at a premium position. Bottom line With each towering drive, Cal Raleigh is redefining the ceiling for modern catchers and vaulting the Mariners into legitimate contender status. If his current tear continues, the Pacific Northwest may be hosting October baseball — and Raleigh’s bat will be the reason every search engine is lighting up with his name.