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Can Cal Raleigh Hit 60 Home Runs in 2025?

9 months agoUS
Can Cal Raleigh Hit 60 Home Runs in 2025?Source: mlb.com
Cal Raleigh, affectionately known as 'Big Dumper,' is chasing a significant milestone: 60 home runs in a season. With 53 homers already, can he reach this elite plateau? This article breaks down his chances, the challenges he faces, and what it would mean for the Seattle Mariners and baseball history.

Key Insights

Cal Raleigh has 53 home runs and needs 7 more in the remaining 18 games to reach 60.

He's demonstrated the ability to hit at least 7 home runs in an 18-game span in each of the last four seasons.

Raleigh's pulled-air rate is among the highest in the pitch-tracking era, allowing him to capitalize on certain ballpark dimensions.

Despite a slight decline in his second-half performance, his Statcast data indicates his quality of contact remains strong.

Why this matters: Reaching 60 home runs would place Raleigh in an exclusive club, achieved by only a handful of players in MLB history. It would also be a major boost for the Mariners as they push for a playoff spot.

In-Depth Analysis

Raleigh's path to 60 home runs isn't straightforward. He faces a mix of favorable and unfavorable ballparks, along with varying pitching matchups. While Kansas City is a tough place to hit home runs, his ability to pull the ball and capitalize on ballpark dimensions could give him an edge.

His second-half OPS has dipped to .766 from a blistering 1.011 in the first half, but his underlying metrics suggest he's still making solid contact. The final series against the Dodgers could be crucial, especially if he's close to the 60-homer mark.

According to MLB.com's Tom Tango, Raleigh's success is due to timing his batted balls to the right ballpark on the right date. He is 75th in average home run distance but excels at getting *that* ball out of *that* park on *that* day.

FAQs

Q: How many players have hit 60 home runs in a season?

Only nine times by six different players.

Q: What are Cal Raleigh's chances of reaching 60 home runs?

FanGraphs estimated a 32% chance two weeks ago; with three more homers since then, the odds have slightly improved.

Q: What factors could prevent him from reaching 60?

Tougher pitching matchups, unfavorable ballparks, and late-season fatigue.

Key Takeaways

Cal Raleigh is on pace to potentially join one of baseball's most exclusive clubs: 60 home runs in a season.

His success depends on his ability to continue hitting for power, taking advantage of ballpark dimensions, and maintaining his quality of contact.

The final games of the season, especially against the Dodgers, will be critical in determining whether he reaches this milestone.

Discussion

Do you think Cal Raleigh will reach 60 home runs this season? What impact would it have on his legacy? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!

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