Raleigh‘s Record-Breaking Season Fuels Unexpected MVP Buzz
Seattle, WA – September 8, 2025 – Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is rapidly becoming a fan favorite and a serious contender for the American league’s Most Valuable Player award.The 28-year-old backstop is enjoying a career year, currently leading the AL in both home runs and RBIs, and is rewriting the record books along the way.
Raleigh’s power surge has been nothing short of phenomenal. He’s already smashed 53 home runs and driven in 113 runs, numbers that would traditionally guarantee MVP consideration. Actually, he’s on the verge of history: just one more home run will tie him with Mickey Mantle for the most home runs in a single season by a pinch hitter.
“He’s just a force,” said one AL scout, speaking on condition of anonymity. “You don’t often see that kind of power coming from a catcher. And he’s not just hitting for power, he’s a legitimate leader behind the plate.”
That leadership was recognized last year with both Gold and Platinum Glove awards, solidifying Raleigh’s reputation as one of the best defensive catchers in the league. While his .239 batting average might raise eyebrows, his sheer power output is undeniable.
However, Raleigh faces a formidable opponent in the MVP race: New York Yankees outfielder Aaron judge. Judge, the reigning unanimous MVP, is also having a stellar season, boasting a .322 batting average, 46 home runs, and 100 RBIs.He recently etched his name further into Yankees lore, tying Joe DiMaggio for fourth place on the franchise’s all-time home run list with a two-homer game against the Detroit Tigers.
[blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”]
Cal Raleigh is now just one homer away from tying Mickey Mantle (54 HR, 1961) for the most in a season by a switch-hitter! https://t.co/m0kIVJCmM8 pic.twitter.com/CtDIIvD9zt
- mlb (@mlb) September 7, 2025
Statistically, Judge appears to have the edge. But a growing wave of support is building for Raleigh, fueled by a classic underdog narrative. should he win, Raleigh would become only the third Mariner to claim the MVP award, joining Ken Griffey Jr.(1997) and Ichiro Suzuki (2001).
“Everyone loves a good story,” says sports analyst Maria Sanchez. “Judge is a phenomenal player, but Raleigh’s journey, his power, and the fact that he’s exceeding expectations… it’s capturing the creativity of fans. It’s a compelling race, and it’s going to come down to the wire.”
Keywords: Cal Raleigh,Seattle Mariners,Aaron Judge,New York Yankees,MVP,Baseball,MLB,Sports,Home Runs,RBIs,Mickey Mantle,Joe DiMaggio,Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki.
