When the Los Angeles Angels selected Mike Trout in the first round of the 2009 draft, it was clear they had discovered a future star. Trout’s early career was marked by a series of notable achievements, including multiple minor league awards and recognition as four-time American League Rookie of the Month, AL Defensive Player of the Year, AL Silver Slugger, AL All-Star, Baseball America’s Major League Player of the Year, and the AL Rookie of the Year in 2012.
The Emergence of Cal Raleigh as a New Force
While Trout’s rise was meteoric and highly publicized, Cal Raleigh‘s path to prominence has been more gradual. Raleigh, drafted in the third round in 2018 by the Seattle Mariners, initially earned recognition as the CAL Rookie of the Year in 2019. However, significant accolades only came later, including his first All-Star selection this year and winning the AL Gold Glove last season, when he was also named the Mariners’ Most Valuable Player.
Raleigh’s Home Run Milestone in Context
This season, Raleigh is making a strong case for lasting fame. He recently homered in three consecutive games against the Tampa Bay Rays, bringing his career total to 138 home runs over five seasons. This impressive number ranks as the tenth highest in <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB history for home runs hit within the first five seasons of a player’s career. Trout, by comparison, hit 139 home runs over his first five years, placing Raleigh just one home run shy of surpassing the future Hall of Famer on this list.
“Most home runs in the American League – Player within their first 5 career seasons:168- Joe DiMaggio165- Ted Williams158- Roger Maris156- Mark McGwire153- Mark Teixeira148- Troy Glaus146- Jose Abreu142- Frank Thomas139- Mike Trout138- Raleigh138- Gus Zernial” —StatsCentre
Raleigh’s Record-Breaking Season with the Mariners
In 2025, Raleigh is leading Major League Baseball with 45 home runs in 117 games. This total ties him for the fifth most home runs in a single season in Mariners history, trailing only the four most prolific seasons of Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. Notably, Griffey Jr. also hit 45 home runs in his fifth career season, matching Raleigh at this stage of their respective careers.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Both Players
Cal Raleigh’s surge suggests a promising future and the potential to join the ranks of greats like Griffey Jr. and Mike Trout in baseball history. As he approaches key milestones and threatens to eclipse records once thought secure, Raleigh is capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike. Meanwhile, Mike Trout’s legacy with the Angels, marked by his remarkable career start and sustained excellence, remains a benchmark for rising stars.