Cal Raleigh sets MLB record for most home runs in a season by a primary catcher

Cal Raleigh (YouTube)

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh of Cullowhee, North Carolina is now in the Major League Baseball record books. On Sunday, he set the MLB record for most home runs in a season by a player whose primary position is catcher. He accomplished the feat in an 11-4 Mariners win over the Athletics.

Raleigh now has 49 home runs for the season. The previous record was set by Salvador Perez of Valencia, Venezuela, who hit 48 home runs while with the Kansas City Royals in 2021.

Raleigh tied Perez’s record in the first inning with a two-run home run off of Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez. The home run went 448 feet to left field and put the Mariners up 2-0. Raleigh’s home run also scored Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena of Mantua, Cuba.  Raleigh then set the record in the bottom of the second inning with another two-run home run off of Lopez, which also scored Arozarena and put the Mariners up 5-1. This home run went 412 feet.

For the season, Raleigh leads Major League Baseball with 49 home runs and the American League with 106 runs batted in. During 128 games, 481 at bats, and 564 plate appearances, he has scored 85 runs and had 119 hits, 19 doubles, 14 stolen bases, 75 walks, 285 total bases, and three sacrifice flies, to go along with an on base percentage of .353 and a slugging percentage of .593.

The Mariners are currently at 70 wins and 61 losses. They lead the Royals by three games for the wildcard spot in the American League and trail the Houston Astros by two games in the American League West.