Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners’ home run leader at the All-Star break, has made history by becoming the first catcher ever to win the Home Run Derby. His victory at the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta was a thrilling moment, as he defeated Tampa Bay Rays’ Junior Caminero in the final round with a score of 18-15. This achievement cements his place in baseball history and highlights the increasing role of catchers in the sport.
Raleigh’s win was not only a personal milestone but also significant for the Seattle Mariners, as he is now the second player in the franchise’s history to claim the Home Run Derby title. The first Mariners player to win the Derby was none other than Ken Griffey Jr., the Hall of Famer who was in the dugout watching the event. This victory underscores Raleigh’s rising status as a key player for the team and reinforces the Mariners’ efforts to build a strong and competitive roster.
The win also came with a hefty prize of $1 million from MLB, which is a substantial reward for the top-performing player in the Derby. Caminero, who was the runner-up, received $750,000 for his second-place finish. Despite being the youngest potential Derby champion at 22 years old, Caminero’s performance was commendable and demonstrated his potential as a future star in the league.
During the final round, there was a moment of controversy when one of the ball boys shagging the non-home run balls in the outfield seemingly robbed Caminero of a home run. However, this incident did not affect the final outcome, and Raleigh’s performance ultimately secured his victory. His ability to maintain composure and execute under pressure highlights his maturity and skill as a player.
Raleigh’s journey to the final round was also a nail-biter. In the first round, he made it by a mere inch, defeating Athletics’ right-handed hitter Brent Rooker in a close contest. Both players topped out at 471 feet, but Raleigh’s longest ball was calculated at 470.63 feet, just a fraction more than Rooker’s 470.53-foot bomb. This close call demonstrated the razor-thin margins in the Derby and the precision required to succeed.
Other notable performances included Pittsburgh Pirates slugger O’Neil Cruz, who hit a ball 513 feet, showcasing his incredible power and exit velocity. Atlanta Braves star Matt Olsen had a solid stretch in the first round, but he failed to make it into the top four. Instead, the final spot went to Byron Buxton, who had a great bonus round to make it to the semifinals.
Buxton, though, had just seven homers in the next round, leaving Caminero with an eight-homer mark to reach. He did so with ease, giving Raleigh and Cruz a chance to battle head-to-head. Washington Nationals young star James Wood had a respectable 16 homers in the first round, while New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. couldn’t find the right stroke, totaling just three homers tallied. This variety of performances showcased the depth of talent across the MLB and highlighted the competitive nature of the Home Run Derby.