Cal Raleigh's Historic Season: Bench's Admiration and Record Chase

Cal Raleigh is making waves in MLB with his exceptional performance. He is currently on pace for 60 home runs, which would break the MLB record for catchers and switch-hitters, and the Mariners' franchise record.

Mike Petriello from MLB.com analyzed Raleigh's success, noting his ability to perform well both at home and on the road. Raleigh has a .962 OPS at T-Mobile Park and a 1.108 OPS on the road. This is attributed to his optimized swing, which results in a high rate of pulled balls in the air.

Bench started closely following Raleigh when they met at the Rawlings Gold Glove dinner in New York last November. They sat at the same table. And they talked. And talked. Raleigh listened. And Bench talked some more.

Raleigh's defensive skills have also improved, making him one of the best all-around catchers in the game. He has been throwing out the most runners trying to steal in back-to-back years for the first time since Hall of Famer Gary Carter in 1982-83, and is a mastermind behind the plate.

Raleigh signed a six-year, $105 million contract with the Mariners before the season, and his performance is already paying dividends. He is currently second in baseball in fWAR (FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement) with 4.0.

He has a high rate of pulling flyballs, which makes him less affected by ballpark dimensions.

Bench is mesmerized by Raleigh, watches him closely, and praises his hitting, throwing, and game-calling abilities.

He is chasing the record for most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break, currently held by Johnny Bench.

Cal Raleigh's success matters because he is redefining the standards for catchers in MLB. His unique hitting approach and improved defense are making him a standout player.

Takeaways:

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