Seattle Mariners star Cal Raleigh etched his identify into the MLB’s report books when he slammed his fiftieth homer of the season in opposition to the San Diego Padres on Monday, turning into the primary catcher in baseball historical past to take action.
With 30 video games remaining for Seattle, although, the MVP candidate ought to do much more harm earlier than the common season concludes. The one query is how a lot.
Within the first 12 months of a six-year, $105 million extension, Raleigh has rapidly confirmed to be an enormous cut price for a Mariners squad hungry to return to the postseason.
Following his fiftieth lengthy ball, Raleigh is already tied for forty fifth on the MLB’s all-time single-season residence run listing. However even when he provides a half dozen to his closing tally earlier than the common season wraps up, the first-time All-Star could have gained some severe floor.
Raleigh would wish to belt one homer for each three video games performed, however a 60-home run season stays a chance. It’d take a historic closing month from the fifth-year catcher. However he’d be becoming a member of an unique membership with simply six different names, together with one lively member, Raleigh’s closest competitors for MVP, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Choose.
Choose will not come near his career-best numbers this season after lacking time as a consequence of harm, however his 62 homers in 2022 will probably be robust to beat. Nevertheless, when Raleigh’s 2025 averages, it sudd
enly appears as if he’ll have a reputable shot at doing so.
With 130 video games below his belt this season, Raleigh is presently averaging a house run each 2.6 video games. If he have been to play in every of Seattle’s remaining 30 video games whereas conserving that very same tempo, Raleigh would land simply round Choose’s report.
The Huge Dumper probably will not sniff the numbers of Barry Bonds or Mark McGwire by the top of September. However he may move different legends, together with Alex Rodriguez (54 HR in 2007), Ken Griffey Jr. (56 HR in 1997 and 1998), and David Ortiz (54 HR in 2006), whereas setting the usual for what a catcher could be.
