Cal Raleigh vs. MVP Catchers: A Comprehensive Comparison
As the Seattle Mariners gear up for Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, all eyes are on star catcher Cal Raleigh. He aims to lead the team to its first World Series appearance in history. The Mariners are currently the only Major League Baseball (MLB) team that has never reached the World Series.
Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming game, Raleigh is in contention for his first MVP award. If successful, he would become the first catcher to win the MVP award since 2012. Raleigh is in a tight race with New York Yankees star Aaron Judge, who is another strong candidate for the American League MVP title this season.
Cal Raleigh’s Impressive Season Stats
If Raleigh were to beat Judge for the MVP, he would make history as the 13th catcher in MLB to achieve this feat. Additionally, it would be the 19th occasion that a catcher has claimed the award. The MVP winner will be announced after the conclusion of the postseason in 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of Raleigh’s 2025 stats:
- Batting Average: .247
- On-base Percentage: .359
- Slugging Percentage: .589
- Total Hits: 147
- Runs: 110
- Home Runs: 60 (Led MLB)
- RBIs: 125 (Led AL)
In contrast, Raleigh’s main competitor Aaron Judge has the following stats:
- Batting Average: .331
- On-base Percentage: .457
- Slugging Percentage: .688
- Total Hits: 179
- Runs: 137 (Led AL)
- Home Runs: 53
- RBIs: 114
While Raleigh led the league in home runs, Judge topped MLB in several categories, including WAR (9.7) and OPS (1.144). Raleigh finished a close second in WAR.
Historical Context: MVP-Catching Comparisons
A historical review of catchers who have won the MVP award reveals interesting insights. The first two MVP catchers, Bob O’Farrell and Mickey Cochrane, received their awards in 1926 and 1928, respectively. Notably, MVP rules changed in 1931, making way for more inclusive voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Raleigh stands out among prior MVP-winning catchers with a record-breaking 60 home runs in a single season. This figure exceeds by 12 home runs the previous record for catchers. In terms of RBIs, Raleigh ranks third among MVP-winning catchers, following legends Johnny Bench and Roy Campanella.
Comparative Analysis of Key Metrics
Despite his remarkable home run count, Raleigh’s batting average is notably lower compared to other MVP catchers. Half of the past MVP catchers achieved averages above .300, and Raleigh, with .243, would be the lowest in that regard.
Winning the MVP award would align Raleigh with notable catchers Joe Mauer and Buster Posey, who are among three catchers to win it in this century. Raleigh, however, has outperformed them in home runs and RBIs while lagging behind in batting average and OPS. Interestingly, most MVP-winning catchers have also claimed World Series titles, a distinction yet to be achieved by Mauer and Hartnett.
A victory in Monday’s game would not only keep Raleigh’s MVP hopes alive but also pave the way for a potential World Series title. As the Mariners prepare for this crucial match, the stakes could not be higher for Cal Raleigh.
