As a result of Aaron Choose has posted among the best first-thirds of any MLB season ever, Cal Raleigh will not be garnering as a lot consideration as he deserves for his personal terrific 60-plus-game pattern measurement. The Seattle Mariners catcher continues to defy logic, displaying elite energy at a place that may completely punish the physique. He was at it once more on Saturday.
Raleigh hit a three-run residence run off Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz within the first inning, through Talkin’ Baseball, setting the tone for the slumping M’s. He now has an MLB-leading 25 dingers, two greater than Shohei Ohtani and 4 greater than Choose. Reaching that mark in early June is excellent irrespective of the circumstances, however the truth that Raleigh has achieved the feat whereas additionally working behind the plate 49 video games is actually unbelievable.
Salvador Perez holds the report for many single-season homers by a catcher, going yard 48 instances for the Kansas Metropolis Royals in 2021. Assuming Seattle’s premier slugger stays wholesome, he ought to theoretically surpass that magic quantity. He isn’t a one-trick pony, nevertheless.
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Cal Raleigh is protecting the Mariners afloat
Raleigh additionally had a .268 batting common and .377 on-base share coming into Saturday’s sport, which is very spectacular for somebody who has been a one-dimensional offensive contributor in his profession. He’s additionally impacting the motion together with his mitt. The 2024 Gold Glover is tied for eighth in catcher framing runs (2), a high quality that Seattle’s pitching employees absolutely appreciates.
Past how spectacular his general physique of labor is, Raleigh is a big purpose why the Mariners are even above .500 (32-30). Offensive inconsistency and pitching accidents are severely hampering this ballclub. If the 28-year-old can keep scorching a minimum of till ace Logan Gilbert returns to motion, then maybe Seattle can recapture first place within the American League West.
However for now, Cal Raleigh is the primary promoting level in one other uneven Mariners season. The M’s path the Angels 5-4 at time of print, so the Huge Dumper might need to unleash his fury yet another time if the crew hopes to finish its four-game dropping streak.