AL Central
Kansas City Royals
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners is mounting an extraordinary case for the 2025 American League MVP, unmatched at the catcher position in MLB history. Here’s why he should emerge victorious over other high-profile contenders like Aaron Judge.
Record Breaking, Literally, Power From Behind The Plate
- Historic 50 Home Runs: On August 26, 2025, Raleigh became the first primary catcher ever to hit 50 home runs in a single season—a monumental benchmark for the position
- Switch-Hitter Feat: He’s only the second switch-hitter ever, joining the baseball legend Mickey Mantle, to smash 50 homers in one year.
- Shattering Previous Catcher Record: With 49 home runs on August 24, Raleigh broke Salvador Perez’s single-season catcher record of 48. He also broke the record of Cincinnati Reds Johnny Bench’s consistent year over year homer record earlier in the year.
These numbers alone make a historic offensive case seldom seen from a catcher, likely never to be broken again, especially in this era of Major League Baseball. Certainly will never be another switch hitting catcher to do it.
- Advanced Metric Dominance: Raleigh ranks 5th in MLB for barrels (64), holds a .393 wOBA, .556 SLG, and .943 OPS—elite output by any standard
- Consistent Exit Velocity & Hard Contact: His average exit velocity stands at 91.7 mph (33rd in MLB), with a 50% hard-hit rate—well above league norms.
These metrics underscore his combination of power and quality of contact, extremely unique for a switch hitting catcher.
He’s Not Just A Hitter.
Defensive Excellence and Leadership
- Gold & Platinum Gloves: A Gold Glove and the prestigious Platinum Glove came his way in 2024—recognizing his defensive prowess and impact on the Mariners’ pitching staff.
- Leadership Behind the Plate: Analysts credit Raleigh’s physical durability and game-calling as critical to Seattle’s success.
- Framing: Cal Raleigh has some of the best framing in the game, ranked 89th percentile.
Fandom & Narrative Momentum
- Fan Enthusiasm: Moments like chants of “M-V-P” echoing at T-Mobile Park show how fans are buying into his MVP narrative in real time.
- City Hero Status: Known as “Big Dumper,” Raleigh has become a Seattle folk hero—reviving hope for a long-suffering franchise.
The emotional connection cannot be undervalued in MVP storytelling. Besides, how many guys around the league can have the nickname “Big Dumper” and not be considered for MVP? He should win for that reason alone.
Catcher’s Rarity Makes It Even More Powerful
- Catcher MVP Rarity: The last catcher to win MVP was the San Francisco Giant‘s Buster Posey in 2012—a testament to how tough it is for the position to claim the honor.
Final Word: Why Cal Raleigh Deserves the 2025 AL MVP
- Historic Offensive Output — 50 HR season, unmatched among catchers.
- Elite Batting Metrics — Top-tier wOBA, OPS, barrels, and contact quality.
- Defensive Value — Award-winning catching prowess.
- Narrative Magic — A fan favorite whose passion and leadership resonate.
- Expert Backing — Earned genuine MVP discussion across media and experts.
In sum, Raleigh isn’t just putting up numbers—he’s redefining what an MVP catcher looks like. If the AL MVP were awarded right now based purely on value, production, and narrative, Cal Raleigh would be a deserving winner.
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