SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 24: Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) waves to fans in celebration of his three home runs during the MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners on August 24, 2026 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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A rejuvenated Cal Raleigh is providing the Seattle Mariners with the power they need to stay alive in the American League West playoff race.
From August 21 through August 25, the 29‑year‑old catcher hit five home runs in five games, including a three‑home‑run outburst against the Philadelphia Phillies on August 24. Seattle won four of those five contests and moved within a few games of the division leaders.
Seattle currently sits in third place in the AL West, only three to four games behind the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. Raleigh’s resurgence complements other contributors such as outfielder Randy Arozarena, who leads the team with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs and posts a .369 on‑base percentage.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 24: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his team’s win against the Philadelphia Phillies at T-Mobile Park on August 24, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Cal Raleigh’s Recent Slump and Return
Last season, Raleigh earned All‑Star honors, won a Silver Slugger, was named the AL MVP runner‑up, captured a Gold Glove at catcher and triumphed in the Home Run Derby. This year his production fell sharply, landing him on CBS Sportsline’s “most disappointing MLB players of 2026” list.
By the close of August 26, his stats read .167 batting average, .284 on‑base percentage, 18 home runs, 52 RBIs and two stolen bases in 354 at‑bats.
Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh hits a two-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Raleigh’s Path to the Mariners
Raleigh was selected by Seattle in the third round of the 2018 amateur draft out of Florida State. He attended Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva, North Carolina.
Scouts projected a 6‑ft‑3, 215‑lb switch‑hitting catcher with elite power, a view that proved correct. He signed for a $854,000 bonus, well above the slot value for the 90th overall pick.
In March 2025, he inked a six‑year, $105 million extension, cementing his status as the franchise’s staple catcher. Nicknamed “The Big Dumper,” he now weighs 235 lb.
SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 02: A gold Florida necklace sits over the Mariners logo on the jersey of Mallex Smith #0 in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at T-Mobile Park on April 2, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2-1. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
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Outlook
After a sluggish start compared to his breakout 2025 season, Raleigh’s recent home‑run surge suggests the Mariners can once again rely on their power catcher.
His reawakening comes at a critical moment as Seattle sits within striking distance of the AL West division lead, offering hope that “The Big Dumper” will help drive the team into the postseason.
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