ATLANTA — July 15, 2025
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh delivered a historic performance Monday night at Truist Park, winning the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby and solidifying his place among baseball’s elite power hitters. Raleigh became the first catcher — and the first switch-hitter — to win the prestigious event, capping a breakout first half of the season.
Raleigh launched a total of 54 home runs over the course of the three-round competition, defeating Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero in the final round, 18–15.
Narrow Margin, Big Moments
Raleigh’s path to the title was anything but easy. In the first round, he advanced past Oakland’s Brent Rooker by the slimmest of margins after both hitters tied with 17 home runs. The tiebreaker came down to distance: Raleigh’s longest shot measured 470.62 feet, edging Rooker’s 470.54 by just 0.08 feet.
In the semifinals, Raleigh hit 19 home runs to eliminate Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz and followed up with 18 in the finals to seal his victory.
A Family-Powered Triumph
Adding an emotional touch to the night, Raleigh was pitched to by his father, Todd Sr., while his younger brother, Todd Jr., served as catcher during the Derby. The family presence added a personal milestone to an already historic moment.
Powerful Performances Across the Board
While Raleigh claimed the title, other participants put on a show of their own. Oneil Cruz recorded the longest home run of the night at 513 feet — the longest Derby homer ever hit outside of Coors Field. Other strong contenders included Byron Buxton (21 home runs in Round 1) and James Wood, one of the youngest participants, who notched 16.
Rookie Jazz Chisholm Jr. managed just three home runs in a brief and challenging first-round outing.
Raleigh’s Meteoric Rise
The Derby win is the latest chapter in what has been a remarkable season for Raleigh. Heading into the All-Star Game, he leads Major League Baseball with 38 home runs — just one shy of Barry Bonds’ record for most before the All-Star break. Raleigh is also expected to bat cleanup for the American League in Tuesday night’s Midsummer Classic.
What was once a quiet climb through the Mariners’ system has now become one of baseball’s most talked-about ascents. Monday’s performance only confirmed what fans in Seattle — and now across the league — have come to realize: Cal Raleigh is a star.
