ATLANTA — Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh continued his historic season Monday evening by winning the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) Home Run Derby.

Raleigh defeated Junior Caminero in the Home Run Derby final after he mashed 18 home runs in the final round. Raleigh became the first catcher and switch-hitter to win the annual derby. 

To advance to the final, the Mariners’ catcher outlasted Oneil Cruz in the semifinal round. 

But Raleigh’s historic win was almost cut short in the first round when he hit 17 home runs, tying Brent Rooker for the final berth in the semifinals. By the slimmest margins, Raleigh moved on because his longest home run was 470.62 feet compared to Rooker’s 470.54 feet, according to MLB.

In the first round of the Home Run Derby, Raleigh started the round as a left-handed batter, where he hit eight home runs. Then he took a timeout, switched to the right side and hit another nine home runs to tie Rooker. 

Raleigh made history when he hit 38 home runs before the MLB All-Star break, the second-most all-time at this point in the season.

The Mariners catcher has steadily improved his power output each season, but he reached another stratosphere this season. Raleigh’s 38 home runs before the All-Star break exceeded his career-high (34) that he set in the 2024 season. 

Raleigh’s scorching hot start to the season puts him squarely in the discussion for American League Most Valuable Player. He’s generated 4.8 wins above replacement, the second-highest total in the league behind New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, according to Baseball Reference. 

In 94 games this season, Raleigh is hitting a career-high .259 and leads the team in on-base plus slugging percentage (1.011). He has also stolen a career-high 10 bases and scored 65 runs for the Mariners.

Raleigh needs 19 home runs over the final 66 games to surpass Ken Griffey Jr. for the most home runs in a single season in Mariners history.