Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh captured the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby title on Monday night at Truist Field — with his father pitching and his younger brother catching.
Nicknamed “The Big Dumper,” Raleigh made history by becoming the first catcher ever to win the Derby, and only the second Mariner to do so after Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.
Raleigh, the current MLB home run leader, showcased his power from both sides of the plate as a switch-hitter. He started the Derby batting right-handed, then switched to the left side after Round 1. Across all three rounds, he crushed 53 total home runs, including 18 in the final to defeat Rays phenom Junior Caminero, who managed 15.
Raleigh’s home run derby bout almost ended in the first round when he tied Brett Rooker of the Oakland Athletics with 17 home runs, forcing a tiebreaker. The margin? Less than a tenth of a foot. Raleigh’s longest homer traveled 470.61 feet — just barely eclipsing Rooker’s 470.53.
From near elimination Raleigh followed up with a 19-homer second round, outslugging Pirates star O’Neil Cruz, who hit the Derby’s longest shot at a jaw-dropping 513 feet, but only tallied 13 homers in the round.
The Mariners catcher leads the majors in home runs and continues to build a compelling case in the American League MVP race, locked in a tight battle with reigning MVP Aaron Judge.
Raleigh will compete in the All-Star game Tuesday as the starting catcher for the American League in Atlanta at the Braves home park Truist Field.
