How Far Can Seattle’s Platinum-Gloved Slugger Propel the Mariners in 2025?
With the Mid-Summer Classic less than a month away, baseball fans have enjoyed several impressive 2025 seasons that have helped lead their teams to success, including standout performances from Aaron Judge, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Pete Alonso, to name a few. However, the player who has everybody’s attention is without a doubt the Mariners’ power-hitting slugger and catcher, Cal Raleigh. Over the weekend against the Chicago Cubs, Raleigh found himself joining some elite company in Mariners’ history. In the Mariners’ loss against the Cubs on Saturday, the 28-year-old hit his 30th long ball of the season, a milestone that made him the fastest player to reach that mark in the fewest team games since Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzalez in 2001. On top of that, it made Raleigh only the second player in Mariners’ history, alongside Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., to reach the 30-homer mark before the MLB All-Star Break.
The seismic power surge Raleigh has displayed has taken the league by storm, as the North Carolina native continues to showcase his elite home run abilities. In his first four MLB seasons, Raleigh has surpassed 25 home runs each year and has now hit the 30-homer mark in three consecutive seasons, highlighted by his historic performance at Wrigley Field. As the former third-round draft pick continues his potential MVP campaign for Seattle, the Mariners find themselves in the thick of a pennant race with the AL West-leading Houston Astros, trailing by five games and currently tied with the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League Wild Card spot. Raleigh’s ability to stay healthy and deliver in key moments will be crucial as Seattle navigates a competitive stretch of its schedule.
With the Mariners’ youthful talent and veteran experience aiming to propel them to a division title this season, they look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, which would mark only their fourth playoff appearance since 2000. For the Mariners to find their way into October baseball, Cal Raleigh will undoubtedly have to play a major role in helping carry the offense and team to success in the second half after the MLB All-Star Break in Atlanta next month. The historic 2025 season that the Mariners’ star catcher is enjoying would be made even sweeter if Seattle can improve its performance against teams with winning records, as the Mariners currently hold a 20-23 record in such matchups. If the Mariners can do that, and if Raleigh continues his power-hitting surge as the season progresses, fans in the Pacific Northwest could find themselves celebrating postseason baseball once again.
