Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has propelled himself into baseball history in 2025 by breaking a major home run record in the first half of the season. Through just 73 games, Raleigh has surpassed both Aaron Judge and Hall of Famer Johnny Bench, establishing a new benchmark for primary catchers before the All-Star break.
Cal Raleigh’s Rapid Rise to the Top of Home Run Charts
Before this season, Cal Raleigh’s career high for home runs in a campaign was 34 over 153 games, but his current pace is unprecedented. During Friday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, Raleigh hit two home runs, giving him a total of 29 so far this year. This performance not only places him three home runs ahead of Aaron Judge’s lead but also moves him closer to breaking Judge’s American League home run record.
Raleigh’s 28th home run was the milestone that tied Johnny Bench’s record for most home runs by a primary catcher before the All-Star break. Remarkably, Raleigh achieved this in 14 fewer games than Bench. Then, with his 29th homer in the same game, he overtook that historic benchmark, marking an incredible achievement for one of the top catchers in baseball.
Record-Breaking Home Run Pace and Exceptional Stats
If Raleigh maintains his current home run pace, he is on track to hit 64 homers this season, shattering the 48-home-run record set by Salvador Perez in 2021 and surpassing Aaron Judge’s AL record of 62 from 2022. Beyond his power hitting, Raleigh’s offensive contributions include a .270 batting average, which is 38 points higher than his previous career mark, and an OPS of 1.021, highlighting his excellent overall performance at the plate.
The Broader Impact on the Mariners and Baseball Fans
Raleigh’s power hitting has been a critical factor for the Mariners, particularly given the team’s otherwise lackluster offense. His historic surge provides hope for the Mariners and continues to captivate baseball fans who recognize the rarity of such an extraordinary season from a catcher. Raleigh’s achievements are not only remarkable statistical feats but also a promising sign of potential postseason contention for Seattle.