Mariners' Cal Raleigh Leads AL Catchers with 19 Home Runs, Tops Defensive Metrics

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is having an exceptional 2025 MLB season, leading the American League with 19 home runs and displaying remarkable offensive and defensive skills. Analysts and insiders, including ESPN researcher Paul Hembekides and MLB insider Jon Heyman, widely regard Raleigh as the best catcher in baseball, highlighting his rare combination of power, speed, and defensive excellence. Raleigh's offensive metrics are outstanding, with a .258 batting average, an OPS+ of 182, and 2.9 rWAR, placing him comfortably ahead of other catchers in value and performance. Defensively, while his framing metrics have slightly declined, he remains a top-tier catcher, contributing significantly to the Mariners' success as they hold a narrow lead in the AL West. The Mariners have secured Raleigh with a six-year, $105 million extension, underscoring his importance to the team both on and off the field. His leadership and all-around impact make him a key figure in Seattle’s pursuit of their first division title since 2001.