Athletics' Langeliers Predicted to Outshine Mariners' Raleigh for All-Star Nod

Raleigh's slow start opens the door for Langeliers to earn the starting AL catcher spot.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:49pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a baseball catcher's equipment and action, with sharp overlapping planes in navy, green, and orange, conveying the competitive energy of the Langeliers-Raleigh matchup.A cubist interpretation of the brewing All-Star catching battle between the Athletics' Shea Langeliers and the Mariners' Cal Raleigh.Oakland Today

After finishing second in AL MVP voting last season, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has struggled mightily to start the 2026 campaign, striking out 15 times in his first 28 plate appearances. This slow start could open the door for Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers to earn the starting nod at the 2026 All-Star Game, as Langeliers is projected to take a step forward this season and potentially outperform Raleigh.

Why it matters

The battle between Raleigh and Langeliers for the starting AL catcher spot at the 2026 All-Star Game represents an exciting new rivalry in the American League, as both young backstops look to cement their status as elite offensive producers at the position.

The details

Langeliers, 28, is off to a hot start in 2026, already hitting 5 home runs and driving in 8 runs in just 6 games. While he may not match Raleigh's 60-homer outburst from last season, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer believes Langeliers could take another step forward and potentially earn the starting All-Star nod over the struggling Raleigh.

  • Raleigh has struck out 15 times in his first 28 plate appearances to start the 2026 season.
  • Langeliers has hit 5 home runs and driven in 8 runs in Oakland's first 6 games.

The players

Shea Langeliers

The 28-year-old catcher for the Oakland Athletics, who hit 31 home runs with a 132 OPS+ in 2025 and is off to a hot start in 2026.

Cal Raleigh

The Seattle Mariners catcher who finished second in AL MVP voting in 2025 after hitting 60 home runs, but has struggled mightily to start the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“After posting a 132 OPS+ with 31 home runs last season, Shea Langeliers profiles similarly to Cal Raleigh entering the 2025 season. That's not to suggest Langeliers is going to pop off a 60-homer season, but it's within the realm of possibility that another step forward could earn him the starting AL nod over Raleigh, who he will likely experience some level of regression.”

— Zachary D. Rymer, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

Langeliers and Raleigh will continue their battle for the starting AL catcher spot throughout the first half of the 2026 season, with Raleigh looking to bounce back from his slow start and Langeliers aiming to build on his early-season power surge.

The takeaway

The rivalry between Langeliers and Raleigh represents an exciting new chapter in American League catching, as two young, talented backstops vie for All-Star recognition and the chance to cement their status as elite offensive producers at the position.