Cal Raleigh: 60 home runs? The “Big Dumper” threatens historical records

The “Big Dumper” is at it again! Cal Raleigh continues his impressive 2025 season, adding two more home runs to his already historic record and surpassing an MLB legend. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has broken records and set new marks in the 2025 season. Raleigh has broken the home run record for a catcher and for a switch hitter, entering the prestigious 50 home run club. In addition, we cannot forget his victory in the Home Run Derby earlier this summer.

What records could Raleigh break next?

How many home runs will he finish this season with and how impressive is his performance? We’ll tell you everything.

The current pace of Raleigh

Raleigh has 56 home runs and is projected to reach 60, with 11 games remaining. The American League record is 62, set by Aaron Judge in 2022, and there have only been nine seasons in MLB history with 60 home runs.

Raleigh surpasses Mickey Mantle

With his 55th and 56th home runs on Tuesday, Raleigh surpassed Mickey Mantle for the most in a season for a switch-hitter. Raleigh and Mantle are the only switch-hitters in MLB history with 50 home runs in a single season, surpassing Lance Berkman and Chipper Jones.

Raleigh’s Upcoming Goals

The next milestone for Raleigh is to surpass Ken Griffey Jr.’s record of 56 home runs with the Mariners, a mark that Raleigh tied with his two home runs on Tuesday. Griffey reached that figure in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Raleigh has already joined Griffey as the only Mariners players with 50 home runs in a season. He is also the first Seattle hitter with 40 home runs in a season since Nelson Cruz in 2016.

Raleigh’s 5 Most Impressive Achievements in 2025

• Most home runs in a season for a switch hitter.

With his 55th home run, Raleigh surpassed Mickey Mantle, who hit 54 in 1961. Breaking Salvador Perez’s record of 48 home runs as a primary catcher attracted a lot of attention, but surpassing Mantle’s mark is even more impressive.

• One of the best months for a receiver.

In May, Raleigh hit .304/.430/.739 with 12 home runs and 26 RBIs. Only four catchers have hit more home runs in a month and only eight with at least 100 plate appearances produced a higher slugging percentage. Raleigh was almost as good in June.

• Reach 100 runs and 100 RBIs.

Raleigh has 101 runs scored and leads the American League with 115 RBIs. Only eight other primary catchers have reached 100 in both categories in the same season.

• Tie Ken Griffey Jr.’s club record for home runs.

Griffey hit 56 home runs for the Mariners in 1997 and 1998. Raleigh has had to play in a difficult park for hitting, with 30 of his 56 home runs coming on the road.

• An opportunity to obtain the most total bases by a receiver.

With 317 total bases, Raleigh’s 2025 campaign is already one of only 20 seasons by catchers with 300 total bases. Raleigh would need a strong finish to get there, but at least he could move into third place ahead of Perez’s 337 total bases in 2021. Not counted in Raleigh’s total bases: his 14 stolen bases!