When the Seattle Mariners locked Cal Raleigh into a six‑year, $105 million extension in early 2025, they were betting on a catcher who had just turned a breakout year into a historic one.
A Season in Transition
Raleigh’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of a revelation. He smashed 60 home runs, drove in 125 runs and posted a .948 OPS, earning his first All‑Star nod and a Silver Slugger award. The power surge set a new franchise record and became the highest single‑season total ever recorded by a catcher and a switch‑hitter in MLB history.
Fast forward to 2026, and the shine has faded. Raleigh’s swing‑and‑miss rate has risen, his exit velocity has slipped, and his expected slugging percentage has dropped dramatically. He has managed only five home runs off fastballs this year, a stark contrast to the 39 he hit in 2025, and his batting average against that pitch type has plummeted to .139.
Opponents have caught on, feeding him fastballs on more than half of his plate appearances. The strategy has paid dividends, as teams now account for 55.4 % of his pitches with fastballs, exploiting a weakness that was once a strength.
The Mariners, currently seven games under .500 and 3.5 games out of a wild‑card spot, are counting on Raleigh’s bat to revive their playoff push. The team’s fate may hinge on whether the catcher can rediscover the swing that made him an MVP runner‑up to Aaron Judge.
What Comes Next?
If Raleigh can adjust his approach and reclaim the power that defined his 2025 season, Seattle’s postseason hopes could swing back in their favor; otherwise, the club may need to explore additional options behind the plate.