Mariners' Cal Raleigh Aims for World Series After MVP Runner-Up Season

The slugging catcher is determined to lead his team to the Fall Classic in 2026 after falling just short in 2025.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is coming off a historic 2025 season in which he became the first switch-hitting catcher to hit 60 home runs. Despite winning numerous awards and finishing as the AL MVP runner-up, Raleigh is focused on leading his team to the World Series in 2026 after they came up just short the previous year.

Why it matters

Raleigh's breakout season put him among the elite players in baseball, but the ultimate goal of winning a championship still eludes him and the Mariners. As one of the game's top catchers, Raleigh's continued dominance and leadership will be crucial if the Mariners are to take that next step and reach the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

The details

In 2025, Raleigh hit .247 with a league-leading 60 home runs and 125 RBIs, while also going 14-for-17 in stolen base attempts. He won the Platinum Glove Award in 2024 as the best defensive catcher in baseball. Raleigh's rivalry with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, the 2025 AL MVP, grew throughout the season, with the two stars often exchanging tips and advice.

  • Raleigh hit .247 and led the big leagues with 60 HR, while adding 125 RBI (3rd, MLB) and going 14-for-17 in stolen base attempts (82.4% success rate) in 2025.
  • Raleigh captured the Platinum Glove Award, signifying the best signal caller in the Majors, in 2024.

The players

Cal Raleigh

A 29-year-old catcher for the Seattle Mariners who became the first switch-hitting catcher in MLB history to hit 60 home runs in a season in 2025.

Aaron Judge

The New York Yankees slugger who won the 2025 American League MVP Award, beating out Raleigh for the honor.

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What they’re saying

“The first thing anybody ever wants to ask Aaron Judge is, 'teach me how to hit' or 'tell me about my swing.' I know who I am now. Obviously, you always try to gain as much information, but you look at a guy who's in a big city who has a lot of pressure on him to win baseball games, leading an organization that's pretty well known.”

— Cal Raleigh (MLB.com)

“I want to know what other leaders do. I want to be able to pick their brain. I always want to try to gain as much information as I can, try to process that, and try to just add that to my game.”

— Cal Raleigh (MLB.com)

What’s next

Raleigh is determined to lead the Mariners to their first World Series appearance in franchise history in 2026 after falling just short the previous season.

The takeaway

Despite his individual accolades and success, Raleigh remains focused on the ultimate team goal of winning a championship. His continued development as both a hitter and leader will be crucial as the Mariners look to take that next step and reach the World Series for the first time.