SEATTLE — Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who is leading Major League Baseball with 32 home runs, has announced that he will be taking part in the Home Run Derby set for next month. The event is scheduled to take place on July 14, the evening before the All-Star Game, at Truist Park in Atlanta.
This will mark the first time the 28-year-old known as “Big Dumper” will participate in the derby. Raleigh achieved a notable milestone this season by becoming the first catcher and switch-hitter to reach 30 home runs before the All-Star break.
“I’m thrilled to be able to represent the Mariners and our fanbase,” Raleigh said in a statement released to the press. “Having the opportunity to do this in Atlanta is particularly special for me, as I spent a significant amount of my childhood playing baseball there.”
Historically, no catcher has ever clinched the Home Run Derby title since its inception in 1985.
By entering the competition, Raleigh joins an exclusive list of past Seattle players who have also participated in the derby. This group includes legendary figures like Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez, as well as notable players such as Jay Buhner, Alex Rodriguez, Bret Boone, Robinson Canó, and current teammate Julio Rodríguez. Griffey made a mark by winning the event in 1994, 1998, and 1999, and in 1993, he became the only player to hit the B&O Warehouse at Camden Yards on the fly.
As of Friday, Raleigh holds a batting average of .275, has achieved 69 RBIs, hit 15 doubles, and acquired 47 walks across 79 games.