SEATTLE – Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has been named a finalist for the 2025 Baseball Writers’ Association of America American League Most Valuable Player Award, as announced today by the BBWAA. The results of the BBWAA Most Valuable Player voting will be announced live on MLB Network at 4:00 pm PT on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Raleigh, 28, is the first Mariners player to finish in the Top 3 of American League MVP voting since Ichiro Suzuki won the award as a rookie in 2001. Cal is the highest Mariners finisher since Julio Rodríguez finished fourth in 2023. It also marks the highest finish in Raleigh’s career, after finishing 18th in 2023 and 12th in 2024.
Raleigh had a record-setting 2025 season, becoming the 7th player (done 10 times) to hit 60+ homers in a season. He also set the Mariners franchise record for home runs in a season, surpassing Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. (56 HR in 1997 and ’98), the record for most home runs by a switch hitter, surpassing Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle (54 HR in 1961) and the most home runs by a catcher in a season, surpassing Salvador Perez (48 in 2021).
Overall, Raleigh hit .247 (147x596) with 110 runs, 24 doubles, 60 home runs, 125 RBI and 14 stolen bases with a .359 OBP, slugging .589 for a .948 OPS. He was a first-time All-Star, starting for the American League and becoming the first catcher and switch-hitter to win the Home Run Derby.
Raleigh has been named a finalist for the American League Silver Slugger Award at catcher and was recently named the MLB Players Association Players Choice Awards’ Player of the Year and American League Outstanding Player. He was also named the Sporting News 2025 MLB Player of the Year.