Cal Raleigh’s historic season: Is he the Best Catcher in Baseball?
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, affectionately known as “the Big Dumper,” is not just having a good year; he’s perhaps having a historic one. While New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani frequently enough dominate headlines, Raleigh is quietly building a case for himself as the american League’s Most valuable Player and perhaps even the best catcher in baseball.
Raleigh’s performance has been nothing short of dominant. He currently leads Judge in home runs and steals while playing in one fewer game. His consistency is such that some observers joke that death and taxes aspire to Cal’s inevitability.
It’s unlikely he’ll get many off days this season, a testament to his importance to the Mariners.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- Raleigh is second in the American League and Major League Baseball in fWAR (wins above replacement).
- He leads the American League in home runs, second in MLB behind Ohtani.
- Defensively, he’s on pace for another standout season, despite a slow start in pitch framing and throwing.
Past Comparisons: Joining Elite Company
Raleigh’s current trajectory puts him in the company of some of the greatest catchers in baseball history. With 3.2 fWAR through 53 games, a projection for a full 162-game season puts him at a staggering 9.8 fWAR.
Historically, very few catchers have reached the 9+ fWAR mark in a single season:
- 2012 Buster posey – 9.8 fWAR (MVP)
- 1972 Johnny Bench – 9.2 fWAR (MVP)
- 1997 Mike Piazza – 9.1 fWAR (2nd in MVP voting)
Only four others have surpassed 8 fWAR: Gary Carter (1982), Joe Mauer (2009), Brian McCann (2008), and Bench again in 1974.
The Modern Catcher: Framing and Beyond
While offensive statistics are crucial, modern baseball analysis places meaningful emphasis on a catcher’s ability to frame pitches – essentially, to make pitches appear to be strikes to the umpire. FanGraphs,a leading baseball analytics site,gives considerable weight to this skill. While pitch tracking technology makes framing easier today than it was for catchers like Johnny Bench in the 1970s or Mike Piazza in the 1990s,Raleigh’s proficiency in this area elevates his overall value.
Offensive Prowess: Chasing Piazza
Offensively, Mike Piazza set a high bar for catchers. His 1997 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers was legendary.He recorded a.362/.431/.638 slash line, a 183 wRC+ (weighted runs created plus), a .452 wOBA (weighted on-base average), and 40 home runs. Raleigh is currently just behind that pace, boasting a 179 wRC+, a .258/.372/.603 line, and a .413 wOBA.
Hitting in T-Mobile Park, known for being a pitcher-kind stadium, presents a challenge. However, weighted metrics adjust for these park effects. To surpass salvador Pérez’s 48 home run season in 2021 would be a feat, but Raleigh’s current pace projects to over 58 home runs.
Defensive Excellence: The Key to Transcending Greatness
Raleigh’s defensive performance, particularly his throwing accuracy, will be crucial in determining his ultimate standing this season. Last year’s platinum Glove Award winner has shown occasional inconsistencies in throwing this season. Maintaining excellence in blocking, framing, and managing baserunners will differentiate him from grate catchers like Piazza, Javy Lopez, and Mauer, and place him in the truly transcendent category with Posey and Bench.
It’s unrealistic to expect Raleigh to throw out 31 of 55 potential base stealers like Bench did in 1972, given the increased efficiency of base stealing today. Instead, comparisons should be made against expectations, considering the modern game’s context. Looking back to Buster Posey’s 2012 season, his legacy was built primarily on framing, a skill Raleigh is well-positioned to emulate.
The Mariners’ All-Time Great?
Beyond individual accolades,Raleigh is also vying for the greatest season in Mariners history. He has already surpassed his manager in some metrics and is approaching his hitting coach, edgar Martinez. Martinez’s 1995 season, featuring a 182 wRC+, a .356/.479/.628 line, and a .469 wOBA, is the benchmark. However, the all-time fWAR leaders also boast significant defensive contributions, making it a challenging list to top.
Raleigh seems poised to not only crack this list but potentially shatter it. As Dave Valle exclaimed, there’s no longer much debate that Cal is the sport’s best active catcher.
He’s chasing Judge and Ohtani,Bench and Posey,Griffey and A-Rod. They’d better run quick.
FAQ: Cal Raleigh’s Rise
- Q: Is cal Raleigh a legitimate MVP candidate?
A: Yes, his offensive and defensive contributions place him firmly in the MVP conversation. - Q: What makes Cal Raleigh a great defensive catcher?
A: His pitch framing, blocking ability, and management of baserunners are all remarkable. - Q: How does Cal Raleigh compare to other great catchers in Mariners history?
A: he is on track to have the best season by a catcher in Mariners history, potentially surpassing even Dan Wilson.
