Cal Raleigh's Record-Breaking Power and Defense Highlight MVP Case

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is a formidable AL MVP candidate, recognized for his record-breaking power and defensive prowess. On Friday, September 26, 2025, he recorded his 84th extra-base hit with a double. Raleigh has blasted 60 home runs with two games left, significantly surpassing Salvador Peréz's previous catcher record of 48 in 2021. His 171 OPS+ ranks third in MLB. Defensively, Baseball Savant rates him as the fifth-best pitch framer and an above-average thrower, though his numbers are slightly down from his 2024 Gold Glove season. His WAR stands at 9.1 (FanGraphs) and 7.2 (Baseball Reference), solidifying his status as a top-five defensive catcher.