Cal Raleigh is set to be one of the highlights of this week’s MLB All-Star festivities, showcasing a stunning breakout season as the Seattle Mariners’ catcher. Notably, Raleigh leads the league with 38 home runs, breaking multiple records for a first-half season, including most home runs by a catcher and a switch-hitter. He is just one home run shy of Barry Bonds’ record of 39 prior to the All-Star Game, and his memorable nickname “Big Dumper” is expected to be a popular mention throughout the events.
While Raleigh’s home run count captures attention, a key factor in his success this season may go unnoticed. Historically, Raleigh has been a formidable left-handed hitter against right-handed pitchers, but he struggled with left-handed pitching. This trend has changed dramatically in 2025; Raleigh has excelled against southpaws, boasting an impressive .333 batting average and an outstanding 1.235 OPS as a right-handed hitter in 104 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. This OPS not only leads all right-handed hitters in the league, but it’s even superior to that of superstar Aaron Judge, underscoring Raleigh’s elite transformation at the plate.
Against lefties specifically, Raleigh has recorded 16 of his 38 home runs this season, leading all players in this category, with Kyle Schwarber and Aaron Judge trailing behind. His performance metrics, notably the Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+), further highlight his excellence, as he ranks first in this statistic against left-handed pitchers, indicating he is producing runs significantly above the average hitter.
The turnaround is notable, especially when considering Raleigh’s previous struggles against left-handed pitchers, with combined statistics showing a lackluster .202 batting average over his first four MLB seasons. This leap in production is refreshing and brings a hopeful outlook for the Mariners and their fans as they embrace Raleigh’s current form.
As the All-Star Game approaches, Raleigh’s potential encounter with left-handed pitchers promises to be a spectacle, emphasizing his remarkable evolution as a hitter. The Mariners are also optimistic about capitalizing on his newfound strength in the second half of the season.
In addition to Raleigh’s achievements, the Mariners are making strides in other areas, including exciting developments on their farm system and impressive performances in recent games, signaling a promising future for the franchise.