The Seattle Mariners entered this offseason having come off the best postseason run in franchise history.

The Mariners were one win away from the World Series for the first time since the franchise was established in 1977. They lost in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.

A large reason for Seattle's success was the historic season from catcher Cal Raleigh.

Raleigh, who was named an All-Star for the first time in his five-year career, asserted himself as one of the best players in baseball.

He set the single-season MLB record in home runs by a catcher, and by a switch-hitter with 60. He slashed .247/.359/.589 with a .948 OPS in 159 games. He also hit 24 doubles and had 125 RBIs.

Raleigh finished second in American League MVP voting behind New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. Raleigh had 335 points (13 first-place votes) and Judge had 355 votes (17 first-place votes).

Raleigh will represent Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic as the team's starting catcher. The tournament begins on March 4.

Also the Home Run Derby champion in 2025, Raleigh was recognized as one of the best players in baseball on Thursday by MLB Network.

He was listed as the fourth-best player in the sport, ranking behind Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (No. 3), Judge and National League MVP Shohei Ohtani.

Raleigh jumped 55 places from No. 59 on the 2025 list to his current ranking.

Raleigh was the fifth Mariners player to be ranked on the top 100. Starting pitcher Logan Gilbert ranked 72nd, first baseman Josh Naylor ranked 70th, starting pitcher Bryan Woo ranked 42nd and outfielder Julio Rodriguez ranked 16th.

Before last season, Raleigh signed a six-year, $105 million contract that extends through the 2030 season. The deal included a conditional $20 million mutual option for 2031. The option becomes guaranteed if Raleigh catches 100 games in four-of-six seasons from 2025-2030, which he accomplished last season.

Raleigh has also caught for a pitching staff that includes four All-Stars: Woo, Gilbert, Luis Castillo and George Kirby.

The former Florida State backstop is expected to remain one of the focal points of the franchise through the duration of his contract.

According to FGDC projections on FanGraphs, Raleigh is predicted to have a slash line of .230/.331/.487 with an .818 OPS in 159 games to go with 39 home runs and 94 RBIs.

Raleigh will begin his 2026 in kind when he, as well as other organization pitchers and catchers, report to the team's spring training complex in the second week of February in Peoria, Ariz.

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