Mariners Catcher Cal Raleigh Struggles at Plate to Start Season

Seattle needs its star hitter to regain his power stroke for the team to reach its full potential.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:51pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player batting, with sharp, overlapping planes of muted earth tones conveying the disruption caused by the star player's early-season struggles.A Mariners lineup in disarray without its star slugger's power productionSeattle Today

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who hit 60 home runs last season, has struggled mightily at the plate to begin the 2026 MLB season. Raleigh is batting just .133 with 10 strikeouts in his first 18 plate appearances, a concerning trend for a team with World Series aspirations.

Why it matters

Raleigh's power production was a key factor in the Mariners' success last season, and the team will need him to regain his form if they hope to contend for a championship. His early-season struggles could force the Mariners to shuffle their lineup and lineup construction if the slump continues.

The details

Through the first three games of the season, Raleigh is just 2-for-15 with 10 strikeouts. While he did record a double on Sunday, it came on a weak fly ball that fell in no-man's land. Raleigh's power numbers had trended upward in each of the past four seasons, making his slow start even more puzzling.

  • The 2026 MLB season began on March 26th.
  • Raleigh's struggles have occurred over the first three games of the season, from March 26th through March 29th.

The players

Cal Raleigh

The Seattle Mariners' star catcher, who hit 60 home runs last season.

Seattle Mariners

A Major League Baseball team based in Seattle, Washington, with World Series aspirations for the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Clearly, it would've been bold for the Mariners to think Raleigh would replicate last season to a full extent.”

— Billy Heyen, Author

“But if it continues for a few more series, there'll have to be real concern. The Mariners need Raleigh to hit the ball, and hit it a long way.”

— Billy Heyen, Author

What’s next

The Mariners will need to monitor Raleigh's performance closely over the next few series to determine if this is a short-term slump or a more concerning trend. If the struggles continue, the team may need to consider adjusting the lineup and batting order to account for Raleigh's lack of production.

The takeaway

Raleigh's power surge was a major factor in the Mariners' success last season, and the team will need him to regain that form if they hope to contend for a World Series title in 2026. His early-season struggles are a concern, and the Mariners will need to act quickly if the slump persists.