Mariners' Cal Raleigh shows off an unexpected skill to set up Josh Naylor

TL;DR

Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners showcased surprising speed during a game, attempting to beat out a dribbler to first base. This unexpected skill was highlighted as he sprinted hard after his second at-bat.

Mariners' Cal Raleigh shows off an unexpected skill to set up Josh Naylor originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Cal Raleigh led off the bottom of the third inning for the Seattle Mariners, already with one hit on the day.

His contact the second time around wasn't very good, a dribbler to the right side.

But then Big Dumper sensed an opportunity. There was a chance to beat this one out.

So Raleigh put on the afterburners and sprinted as fast as he could through first base.

MORE:Blue Jays' Ernie Clement is a battle between old-school and new-age baseball

It was the kind of hustle play that doesn't feel like it matters that much in the course of an 162-game season.

But for Raleigh, it was a chance to start 2-for-2 in what has otherwise been a rough hitting season so far.

And for the Mariners, it put a runner on base so that two batters later, when Josh Naylor hit his second homer of the game (and of the season), it was a two-run shot. Raleigh got to run easily around the bases to score after working hard to get to first.

It's a good tone setter from the star catcher, too. If Raleigh can sprint down the line, so can everyone else on the Mariners.