Cal Raleigh made history on Monday night. The Seattle Mariners catcher became the first backstop ever to win the Home Run Derby. He also became the first switch-hitter to claim the title.
The 29-year-old slugger pocketed $1 million for his victory at Atlanta’s Truist Park. He beat Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero 18-15 in a thrilling final.
Family Affair
What made this special? Raleigh’s father, Todd, pitched to him throughout the competition. His 15-year-old brother Todd Jr caught behind the plate. Three generations of Raleighs working together on baseball’s biggest stage.
“It just means the world,” Raleigh said after lifting the trophy. “I just can’t believe I won.”
His father, a former coach at Tennessee and Western Carolina, was equally emotional. “This is what every dad dreams about,” Todd Raleigh said.
The Numbers Game
Raleigh entered the All-Star break leading Major League Baseball with 38 home runs. His Derby victory continued a remarkable season. He’s on pace to challenge the Mariners’ single-season record of 56, set by Ken Griffey Jr in 1997 and 1998.
The path to victory wasn’t easy. Raleigh needed a tiebreaker to escape the first round. He and Oakland’s Brent Rooker both hit 17 homers. Raleigh advanced by less than an inch – his longest blast measured 470.61 feet compared to Rooker’s 470.53.
Strategic Switching
Raleigh showed his versatility throughout the night. He started left-handed, switched to right-handed, then back to left. In the final, he stayed left-handed after finding his rhythm.
The semi-final against Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz was a power display. Cruz had launched the night’s longest homer – 513 feet at 118 mph. But Raleigh’s 19 homers proved too much. Cruz finished with 13.
Record-Breaking Performance
Several milestones fell on Monday:
- First catcher to win the Derby
- First switch-hitter to claim the title
- Second Mariners player to win (after Griffey Jr’s three titles)
- Raleigh joins exclusive company as only the second switch-hitter to compete (after Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman in 2023)
The Final Showdown
Caminero, just 22, nearly pulled off the upset. The Venezuelan third baseman hit 21 homers in the first round, tied for the most. He reached the final by beating Minnesota’s Byron Buxton 8-7.
In the championship round, Raleigh batted first. Seven quick homers. A timeout. Eight more in the final minute. Three bonus shots. His 18 total set the target.
Caminero needed 19 to win. He peppered the left-field stands with 14 in regulation. The bonus round offered five chances. He managed just one more. Game over.
Derby Disappointments
Not everyone shone under the lights. Atlanta’s Matt Olson disappointed his home fans with just 15 homers. The crowd favourite couldn’t advance from the first round.
Jazz Chisholm Jr had the night’s worst showing. The Yankees outfielder managed just three homers – the fewest since the timer format began in 2015. The former Marlins star was booed throughout by Braves fans.
Power on Display
The night showcased modern baseball’s power surge. Six players hit at least 16 homers in the first round. Washington’s James Wood launched one 486 feet. His shot cleared the Chop House restaurant beyond right field.
Cruz’s 513-foot blast was the longest since Statcast began tracking in 2016. Only Juan Soto’s 520-footer in Denver’s thin air (2021) has travelled further in the modern era.
Financial Rewards
Raleigh’s victory came with serious money. The $1 million winner’s cheque dwarfs many players’ salaries. Caminero earned $500,000 as runner-up, nearly doubling his $764,100 annual wage.
Looking Ahead
Raleigh will carry this momentum into Tuesday’s All-Star Game. He’s batting fourth for the American League squad. His 38 homers at the break put him on pace for 60-plus by season’s end.
The Mariners haven’t had a 50-home run hitter since 2001. Raleigh could change that. His Derby victory proves he belongs among baseball’s elite power hitters.
For one night in Atlanta, Big Dumper lived up to his nickname. He dumped 18 balls into the stands when it mattered most. History was made. A family dream came true. And baseball’s newest Derby champion took home the biggest prize of all.
