Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has been a standout performer in the 2025 MLB season, earning widespread attention for his remarkable power numbers. Following a 6-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 4, 2025, Raleigh blasted two home runs, bringing his season total to an astounding 35. These two long-balls, including a 433-foot moonshot, notably tied him with legendary Mariners icon Ken Griffey Jr. for the franchise record for home runs hit before the All-Star break. Raleigh, affectionately known as 'Big Dumper,' has several opportunities remaining to claim sole ownership of this record before the All-Star festivities, where he is also slated to participate in the 2025 Home Run Derby.

Raleigh's admiration for Ken Griffey Jr. is palpable. He considers Griffey a pivotal figure for a Mariners 'Mount Rushmore,' alongside players like Ichiro, Felix Hernandez, and Randy Johnson. "To be mentioned with that name, somebody that’s just iconic, a legend, first ballot Hall of Famer, I’m just blessed," Raleigh stated. He frequently engages in discussions with 'The Kid' whenever Griffey is in Seattle, seeking insights into his approach to the game. Raleigh believes that without injuries, Griffey would have shattered the major league home run record.

Manager Dan Wilson, a former teammate of Griffey's in 1998, provides crucial perspective on Raleigh's current hot streak. Wilson noted the striking consistency in Raleigh's performance, remarking, "It feels like he hits a home run every game... It hasn’t been a streak where he has hit a bunch of home runs in a short amount of time. It’s been kind of 10 per month." Raleigh's monthly breakdown includes nine home runs in April, twelve in May, and eleven in June, showcasing a remarkably steady output. This consistency mirrors, and in some aspects surpasses, Griffey's own pre-1998 All-Star break figures (10 in April, eight in May, 14 in June).

Beyond his home run prowess, the 28-year-old Raleigh is exceeding expectations in the early stages of his six-year, $105 million contract extension, signed just before the 2025 season. He is not only setting a career high for home runs but is also on track to establish new personal bests for batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Raleigh attributes these advancements to his maturity halfway through his fourth full major league season, focusing on honing his ability to drive the ball while taking his hits when quality pitches are scarce. His offensive production, marked by just 36 singles—one more than his home run total—has fully justified the Mariners' investment, reflecting his commitment to being a leader both on the field and in the clubhouse.

What makes Raleigh's performance truly exceptional is his role as a primary catcher, a position where offensive production, especially leading the league in home runs, is virtually unheard of in the modern game. With 35 home runs through 88 games, Raleigh is on pace to hit approximately 64 home runs for the 2025 season. This projected total would not only shatter Salvador Perez's single-season record for a primary catcher (48 HRs in 2021) but would also break Aaron Judge's American League single-season home run record set in 2022. Furthermore, a 64-home run season would tie him with Sammy Sosa's 2001 season for the fifth-most home runs by any player in MLB history, solidifying his place among baseball's elite power hitters. As he approaches the Top 10 list for single-season catcher home runs with nearly half a season remaining, Cal Raleigh's unprecedented power surge is a testament to his unique talent and impact on the Mariners' season, making him a must-watch player as the year progresses.