MLB Home Run Leader Cal Raleigh Hits 32 HR, Breaks Catcher Record, On Pace for 66, Joins Home Run Derby

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has emerged as the leading home run hitter in Major League Baseball during the 2025 season. On June 17, Raleigh took the MLB home run lead with his 27th homer, a grand slam against the Boston Red Sox. He continued to extend his lead, hitting his 28th and 29th home runs on June 20, breaking the 55-year-old record previously held by Hall of Famer Johnny Bench for the most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break. Raleigh's 29th homer came during a Mariners' 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs, marking the most homers by a primary catcher before the All-Star break in MLB history.

On June 21, he became the first player to reach 30 home runs this season and the first switch-hitter ever to hit 30 home runs before the All-Star break. This marked his third consecutive season with 30 or more home runs. By June 22, Raleigh had hit his 31st home run, helping the Mariners secure a series win over the Cubs. He was on pace to hit 66 home runs for the season, potentially challenging Roger Maris's non-Steroid Era record of 61 home runs in a season. On June 24, Raleigh hit his 32nd home run during an 11-2 Mariners win over the Minnesota Twins, marking his fourth consecutive game with a home run. He has recorded at least nine home runs and multiple stolen bases in each of the last three calendar months, a feat unmatched by any other catcher in MLB history. Raleigh leads the league with 32 home runs and 69 RBIs while catching, and has been named American League Player of the Week twice in June. He is considered a frontrunner for the AL MVP award, competing with New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, who has 28 home runs and 62 RBIs. Raleigh has also announced he will participate in the upcoming Home Run Derby in Atlanta, marking his first appearance in the event. He joins Ronald Acuña Jr. as one of the only participants confirmed so far.