Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals on June 30 at T-Mobile Park. Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Here's What Cal Raleigh Had to Say About Being Named an All-Star Starter

Originally posted on Seattle Mariners on SI
By Teren Kowatsch | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 8:45 PM ET

SEATTLE — For the first time in Seattle Mariners history, the team will have a catcher starting in the All-Star Game.

Cal Raleigh was named the American League starter on Wednesday. He won with 72% of the fan vote over Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk.

"Honestly, very blessed. Very excited and very honored," Raleigh said after news of his selection Wednesday. "It's a cool accomplishment. Just glad it's kind of over, too. Seeing your face everywhere was a little uncomfortable. But I was just very happy and super excited for it."

Raleigh has received more recognition this season due to his historic pace that has seen him break several MLB records.

Raleigh has scored 60 runs in 84 games this season. He's hit 16 doubles with a major league-leading 33 home runs to go with 71 RBIs, which also leads the majors. He's slashed .272/.383/.641 with a 1.024 OPS. His 33 homers are the most in MLB history for a catcher and a switch-hitter before the All-Star break.

Raleigh will also compete in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star Break.

Cal Raleigh, sky-high grand slam ... No. 2⃣7⃣ of the season, which reclaims sole possession of the MLB lead.

Exit velo: 106.0 mph
Launch angle: 43°
Distance: 370 ft.
Hang time: 6.4 seconds pic.twitter.com/f6MOmgVSIT
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) June 18, 2025

Raleigh has received national attention this year due to his historic first-half. He's considered an early AL MVP favorite along with New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who was also named an All-Star starter.

"It's nice," Raleigh said. "It's nice to see your hard work pay off on a bigger stage. Not just trying to play as well as I can — but trying to get the Mariners out there as well. Trying to boost us up, as well. ... Trying to help our brand in the sense of — we are a winning baseball club. We have a good team over here. I do know from experience from being on the East Coast, the West Coast teams don't get as much love sometimes. So just trying to do as much as we can to put ourselves in a good position and it starts by our play on the field and I think we've done a decent job of that so far."

The Home Run Derby takes place 5 p.m. PT on July 14 and the All-Star Game takes place at 5:00 p.m. PT on July 15.

This article first appeared on Seattle Mariners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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