Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners’ catcher, has made history by becoming the first catcher to win the MLB Home Run Derby. His exceptional 2025 season, marked by a league-leading 38 home runs, has positioned him as a potential MVP contender. Raleigh’s victory was a family affair, with his brotherTodd assisting in the event. The Mariners slugger’s breakout 2025 season earned him a first-career All-Star selection. On Monday, Raleigh became the first catcher in history to win the home run derby trophy. He’s also the first switch-hitter to claim the derby crown. Raleigh’s 18 long balls in the final round surpassed Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero’s 15 homers.
Raleigh’s historic derby moment was a family-filled event. His younger brother Todd Raleigh Jr. was the catcher, while Todd Raleigh threw pitches to the Mariners slugger. Raleigh’s 28-year-old age and his family’s support contributed to his success. Despite the accolades, Raleigh remains focused on team success, acknowledging the MVP recognition but emphasizing the importance of the process. His performance in the All-Star game, where he went 1-for-2 with a single in the fourth inning, further highlights his growing impact in the league. While Judge’s standout 2022 performance still represents the most home runs an AL player has hit in a single season, the New York Yankees star trails Raleigh by just three homers in 2025. The small gap between Raleigh and Judge’s homer totals hearkens back to the 1998 home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.
McGwire ultimately outlasted Sosa, hitting 70 home runs to the then-Cubs star’s 66. Some have wondered if Cal Raleigh and Judge will have a similar competition this season. Raleigh, 28, said he wasn’t old enough at the time to remember the details of McGwire’s and Sosa’s 1998 seasons. He admitted being a little too young to recall the specifics, though he watched the ‘30 for 30’ documentary on the event. Raleigh described Judge as an ‘unbelievable’ player and acknowledged the Yankees outfielder’s recent performance, noting he’s ‘a week away from 10 more (home runs).’
Raleigh’s name has been floated as the potential American League MVP front-runner given his impressive production this year. He acknowledged the recognition but said his focus remains on being a team player. ‘It is what it is. It means I’m doing something right, which is good, but at the same time, just focusing on the process and the team first, and then whatever comes after that is great,’ he said. The National League defeated the American League in the first swing-off tiebreaker in the game’s history. Raleigh’s 2025 season is a testament to his growing influence in the league, and his upcoming challenges, including the possibility of defending his home run derby crown in 2026, will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.