What happened to Cal Raleigh? Mariners catcher off to awful start on heels of historic 2025

What happened to Cal Raleigh?

After making an MVP push, Raleigh's numbers have plummeted in 2026.

The key difference in his game in 2026 is his inability to make hard contact. A year ago, Raleigh would consistently square up the ball and tap into serious power. This season, he's been rolling over and popping up at a higher rate.

Raleigh joined Team USA as part of the World Baseball Classic during spring training. He initially looked like the clear favorite to start at catcher, but was benched for Will Smith after failing to get a hit in nine at-bats across three games. He did draw five walks, but couldn't find any other way on base.

It seems these struggles have carried into the regular season, with Raleigh unable to return to his 2025 form.

After a career of hitting slightly above average with excellent defense, Raleigh's 2025 season was a pleasant surprise. His OPS jumped .200 points and his home run total nearly doubled from 2024 to 2025.

MORE:Where Cal Raleigh's 2025 ranked among best-ever seasons by a catcher

Cal Raleigh 2026 stats

For those who followed Raleigh's record-breaking 2025 season, his performance in 2026 has been baffling. Raleigh has been an above average hitter since 2022, but is now a liability at the plate. The Mariners do play their home games at one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in the sport, but this has never stopped Raleigh in the past.

Cal Raleigh 2025 stats

Raleigh's 2025 season was historic. He was just the third American League player to hit 60 home runs in a season after Roger Maris and Aaron Judge. He was also the first switch-hitter and the first catcher to accomplish this feat.

Cal Raleigh career stats

For the majority of his career, Raleigh was a defense-first catcher with some power at the plate. He won the Platinum Glove Award in 2024 for these numbers. Last year, his defense faltered but his skills at the plate soared.

Enter 2026 and Raleigh's offensive numbers are down across the board. He hasn't struggled this much at the plate since his first MLB season in 2021.

How old is Cal Raleigh?

Cal Raleigh is 29 years old as he begins his sixth season in professional baseball. He signed a six-year contract extension in March 2025, which will make him a free agent in 2031.

This season has not been an easy one for Raleigh, but there is plenty of time for him to correct these numbers in Seattle.

MORE:Who gave Cal Raleigh his "Big Dumper" nickname?