Mariners’ Cal Raleigh Sets New MLB Home Run Record in Historic 2025 Season

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh concluded the 2025 Major League Baseball season with a record-breaking 61 home runs, surpassing previous records for both catchers and switch-hitters, and becoming the first Mariner to lead MLB in home runs.

A pivotal moment in Raleigh’s season, and arguably for the Mariners’ playoff push, came on August 8th during a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. With the Mariners trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Raleigh’s two-run home run shifted the team’s win probability from 15% to 85%, according to Baseball Reference’s Win Probability Added (WPA) metric. That single swing also improved the Mariners’ World Series odds by 0.72%, ranking as the third most impactful play of the entire MLB season. His consistent power hitting throughout the year helped propel the Mariners into contention.

Raleigh’s home run prowess extended beyond sheer quantity; he demonstrated remarkable versatility, hitting home runs from both sides of the plate, off all nine pitch types, and against 53 different pitchers. One particularly memorable blast occurred on July 4th against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a 114.7 mph exit velocity shot described by broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith as “Cal Raleigh how far!” You can find more information about advanced baseball statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.

Throughout the season, Raleigh showcased his power in a variety of venues, including traditional stadiums, minor league fields, and even a Little League stadium, totaling 18 cities visited during his home run tour. The Mariners finished the season with a strong record and are now preparing for the postseason, hoping to capitalize on Raleigh’s historic performance. For a look at the Mariners’ overall season performance, visit MLB.com.

Team officials stated they are confident Raleigh’s performance will continue to be a key factor as they advance into the playoffs.