Spring Training stats are often meaningless. But when a hitter goes yard seven times during the spring and then swats five homers in the first six games of the regular season, it carries some extra weight.
And when such a strong start also comes on the heels of a huge second half the previous year, well, you’re looking at a hitter who could be on the verge of something special.
That’s where we find Shea Langeliers so far in 2026.
Although the Athletics are 1-5, Langeliers has been a bright spot, going 9-for-24 (.375) with five homers, eight RBIs and a 1.400 OPS.
It’s still early, but Langeliers has the look of a hitter primed for a major breakout. Watching a catcher mash like this also naturally brings to mind what we saw from Cal Raleigh just last year.
Raleigh’s 2025 season was among the greatest in history by a catcher. His 60 home runs set the record for the most by a primary backstop, surpassing Salvador Perez’s previous mark by 12 dingers. That included 49 home runs while in the lineup at catcher, also a record.
We’re not saying Langeliers is on his way toward 60 home runs, but when we look at Raleigh’s offensive production pre-2025, there are clear parallels between the two.
Before making the leap to 60 homers, Raleigh had progressed gradually from 27 to 30 to 34 homers over the previous three years. Langeliers, meanwhile, entered 2026 having increased his total from 22 to 29 to 31 in his past three seasons.
Even reaching 40 home runs would put Langeliers in rarefied air. Including Raleigh, only seven primary catchers (nine times total) have done it.
Most home runs by a catcher in a single season
Note: The list below is the same regardless of whether 50% or 75% of a player's games coming at catcher is used as a qualifier
1. 60 (49 hit as a catcher) -- Cal Raleigh, 2025 Mariners
2. 48 (33 hit as a catcher) -- Salvador Perez, 2021 Royals
3. 45 (38 hit as a catcher) -- Johnny Bench, 1970 Reds
4. 43 (42 hit as a catcher) -- Javy Lopez, 2003 Braves
5-T. 41 (41 hit as a catcher) -- Todd Hundley, 1996 Mets
5-T. 41 (40 hit as a catcher) -- Roy Campanella, 1953 Dodgers
7-T. 40 (40 hit as a catcher) -- Mike Piazza, 1999 Mets
7-T. 40 (40 hit as a catcher) -- Mike Piazza, 1997 Dodgers
7-T. 40 (34 hit as a catcher) -- Johnny Bench, 1972 Reds
It’s not far-fetched to think that Langeliers could become the eighth this year.
First of all, he's already proven himself to be one of the top power-hitting backstops in today's game. From 2023-25, he tallied 128 barrels and 82 home runs, second only to Raleigh among catchers in both categories.
And as we alluded to above, he's been on an absolutely insane power-hitting tear since last year’s All-Star break. Only Kyle Schwarber has hit more home runs than Langeliers’ 24 in that span, and no qualifying hitter has posted a higher slugging percentage (.683).
Most home runs since 2025 All-Star break
Through Wednesday's games
1. Kyle Schwarber: 28
2. Shea Langeliers: 24
3. Shohei Ohtani: 23
4-T. Cal Raleigh: 22
4-T. Junior Caminero: 22
4-T. Colson Montgomery: 22
That doesn't even include what he did during Spring Training this year, slugging .891 with seven homers in 19 games.
What's particularly interesting about Langeliers is that this surge hasn't come about due to an improvement in plate discipline. His 34.7% chase rate since the 2025 All-Star break is actually higher than it was before.
The biggest difference, rather, has been how he performs when pitchers try to attack him in the strike zone.
As this chart indicates, there used to be a number of areas in the strike zone that pitchers could get Langeliers out consistently.
But that sure hasn't been the case lately. Pitchers have had much less margin for error with their offerings to Langeliers, who has been pummeling pitches all over the zone.
From the start of 2023 through the '25 All-Star break, Langeliers hit .245 with a .508 SLG, a 21.1% strikeout rate and a combined run value of -52 against in-zone pitches.
Since? A .390 average, an .810 SLG, a 10.2% strikeout rate and a +18 run value.
In terms of run value, no hitter has been more productive against in-zone pitches during that time.
Highest run value against in-zone pitches since 2025 All-Star break
Through Wednesday's games
1. Shea Langeliers: +18
2-T. Giancarlo Stanton: +12
2-T. Hunter Goodman: +12
4-T. George Springer: +9
4-T. Aaron Judge: +9
So yes, the Raleigh comparisons are apt. And just like Seattle's slugging backstop, Langeliers has a nickname that fits.
You know The Big Dumper. Now say hello to Bangeliers.