Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is delivering what could become one of the most remarkable offensive campaigns ever by a catcher in Major League Baseball. This season, Raleigh has not only reached his first All-Star Game but also made history as the first catcher to win the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB Home Run Derby, underpinning his standout achievements.
As of midweek, Raleigh had tallied 83 runs over 124 games, alongside 19 doubles and 47 home runs with 102 runs batted in. His batting line stood at .249/.357/.592, yielding a .949 OPS. Entering the final game of the series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Raleigh was on the cusp of tying—and possibly surpassing—Salvador Perez’s record for the most home runs hit by a catcher in a single MLB season.
Rising to the Top in Wins Above Replacement and Seattle History
Beyond his power numbers, Raleigh’s overall value to the Mariners has been exceptional. With a 7.1 fWAR (Wins Above Replacement according to FanGraphs) this season, he ranks just behind New York Yankees star Aaron Judge for the highest in the majors in 2024. This figure ties Raleigh for ninth place in the Mariners’ franchise single-season fWAR leaderboard.
Notably, Raleigh shares this mark with Ichiro Suzuki’s 7.1 fWAR from 2004, a season that also saw Suzuki set the all-time MLB single-season hits record at 262, surpassing George Sisler’s 1920 achievement of 257 hits for the St. Louis Browns. These parallels put Raleigh in esteemed company in both Mariners and MLB history.
Comparison to Mariners Legends and Hall of Fame Catchers
Ken Griffey Jr. holds the Mariners’ record for the highest single-season fWAR at 9.7, accomplished in 1996 when he scored 125 runs, hit 49 home runs, and maintained a .303/.392/.628 slash line with a 1.020 OPS. While Raleigh’s numbers are slightly behind Griffey’s legendary season, they firmly place him among the best players in Seattle franchise history.
This season, Raleigh has already surpassed several records previously held by Hall of Fame catchers, potentially positioning himself alongside franchise greats like Ichiro Suzuki and Griffey. His offensive and defensive contributions suggest he could leave a lasting mark as one of the top catchers not only for the Mariners but in MLB history.
The Significance and Future Impact of Raleigh’s Achievements
Cal Raleigh’s record-breaking season underscores a rising new standard for catchers in Seattle and across Major League Baseball. His ability to combine power hitting, run production, and defensive value reflects a well-rounded excellence that could influence how catchers are evaluated going forward. As the season continues, Raleigh’s pursuit of surpassing Salvador Perez’s home run record may further cement his place in baseball lore.