Thu Sep 12 01:01:11 UTC 2024: ## Mariners Catcher Cal Raleigh: A Star in the Making, but Still Underrated

**Seattle, WA** – Cal Raleigh, the Mariners’ star catcher, continues to defy expectations and prove his doubters wrong. While his name may not be as familiar as some of the league’s other top catchers, he’s quietly established himself as one of the most valuable players in the game.

Despite being in just his third full season, Raleigh has consistently ranked among the top catchers in baseball, earning the title of the league’s best defensive catcher this year. His impressive defensive skills, combined with his powerful bat, have made him a true force behind the plate.

“Teams were almost universally enamored with Raleigh’s bat in the 2018 draft, but the Florida State product fell to the third round because most had big concerns about his ability to stay at catcher,” said Kevin Goldstein, a baseball analyst.

Raleigh has silenced those concerns, proving his ability to excel defensively while maintaining his power hitting prowess. He’s already established himself as a prolific home run hitter, surpassing the 30-home run mark for the third consecutive year. This impressive feat places him in elite company alongside legends like Lance Parrish, Mike Piazza, and Johnny Bench.

“He combines first-rate defense with a homer-heavy 109 career wRC+,” stated Davy Andrews, a contributing writer for FanGraphs.

Despite his impressive performance, Raleigh has yet to receive the recognition he deserves. This season, he’s putting up another 4-win season, a feat achieved by only a select few catchers, including many Hall of Famers.

However, despite his overwhelming success, some argue that Raleigh’s lack of contact relative to other players limits his overall potential. They suggest that if he could improve his contact rate, even at the expense of some power, he would become an even more formidable hitter.

“His power and contact quality are both beyond reproach, but he doesn’t make enough to take best advantage of it,” said one commenter.

While it remains to be seen whether Raleigh will make adjustments to his hitting style, his current performance speaks for itself. He is a true star in the making, and it’s only a matter of time before the baseball world recognizes his incredible talent.

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