Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh Leads MLB with 30 Home Runs, Breaks Catcher Record Before All-Star Break, Joins 2025 Home Run Derby

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has emerged as the Major League Baseball home run leader in the 2025 season, setting multiple records and reaching significant milestones. Raleigh hit his 27th home run on June 17, taking the MLB lead, and continued to extend his total, reaching 29 homers by June 20. This feat broke 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. On June 21, Raleigh became the first player to hit 30 home runs this season and the first switch-hitter ever to reach 30 homers before the All-Star break.

He is on pace for a historic season with projections estimating 66 home runs, which would challenge Roger Maris's non-Steroid Era record of 61 homers in a season. Raleigh also boasts notable statistics including a .277 batting average, .382 on-base percentage, .658 slugging percentage, 191 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), and 11.1 wins above replacement (fWAR). His performance has placed him in the American League MVP conversation alongside New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. Raleigh has been named the AL Player of the Week twice this month and announced his participation in the 2025 Home Run Derby in Atlanta. In recent games, Raleigh has demonstrated remarkable power, hitting home runs in four consecutive games and totaling 33 home runs by July 1. His recent contributions helped lead the Mariners to a 6-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, with teammate Randy Arozarena also hitting two home runs. Raleigh's historic pace and consistent power-hitting have made him a standout figure in the 2025 MLB season.