Cal Raleigh is mired in the worst power slump of his career, and the Seattle Mariners are starting to feel the ripple effects. Through more than a quarter of the 2026 season, the switch-hitting catcher ranks dead last among qualified MLB catchers in slugging percentage — a stunning fall for a player who launched 34 home runs just one year ago.
The timing couldn’t be worse for a Mariners club that has leaned on Raleigh as its middle-of-the-order anchor. Seattle’s offense has sputtered in key stretches, and the absence of his usual thump behind the plate has left a void that other hitters haven’t filled. FOX Sports flagged Raleigh as one of the season’s most notable underperformers in its latest power rankings, published Monday.
What’s Behind Raleigh’s Power Drop?
The numbers paint a grim picture. Slugging percentage measures extra-base hit production, and sitting at the bottom of the qualified catcher list means Raleigh isn’t driving the ball with any authority. For context, the league-average slugging percentage for catchers typically hovers around .400-.420 in a given season. Raleigh’s current mark sits well below that threshold, though the exact figure wasn’t specified in the available reporting.
Breaking down the advanced metrics, there are a few potential culprits. A declining barrel rate or rising chase rate on breaking balls away could explain the power vacuum. Raleigh has historically been vulnerable to pitches on the outer third when batting left-handed, and opposing staffs have likely adjusted their approach. Without access to his Statcast data for 2026, the film suggests he’s been late on fastballs up in the zone — the pitch he normally destroys. The Mariners’ coaching staff has reportedly been working with Raleigh on timing drills during batting practice, trying to sync his load and stride back to where it was during his breakout 2025 campaign.
How This Fits Into Seattle’s Bigger Picture
The Mariners entered 2026 with legitimate playoff aspirations, built around a core that includes Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, and a deep pitching staff. But an offense that was supposed to take a step forward has instead stalled, and Raleigh’s struggles are emblematic of a broader issue. Seattle has scored the fourth-fewest runs in the American League through mid-May, and the lineup lacks the kind of protection that allows star hitters to see hittable pitches.
What makes this particularly frustrating for the front office is that Raleigh’s 2025 season was a revelation. He finished with 34 homers and posted an OPS north of .800, establishing himself as one of the premier power catchers in baseball. The Mariners rewarded that production with a contract extension, betting that his bat would age well behind the plate. Now, less than a year later, the regression has been sharp enough to raise eyebrows — though one season’s first quarter is far from a definitive verdict.
Key Developments
- Raleigh ranks last among all qualified MLB catchers in slugging percentage as of mid-May 2026, according to FOX Sports power rankings analysis.
- The Mariners’ offense has been among the worst in the American League, compounding the impact of Raleigh‘s individual slump on the team’s win-loss record.
- Seattle’s coaching staff has implemented timing-focused batting practice drills to address Raleigh’s mechanical issues at the plate.
- Raleigh’s 2025 breakout included 34 home runs and an OPS above .800, making his 2026 regression especially stark by comparison.
- The Mariners’ broader offensive struggles have left the lineup without adequate protection for its core hitters, contributing to a low run-scoring environment.
What’s Next for Raleigh and the Mariners
History suggests patience is warranted. Catchers are notoriously strewn across volatile offensive careers, and Raleigh’s skill set — switch-hitting power, strong game-calling ability — doesn’t evaporate overnight. The Mariners aren’t panicking, and neither should anyone evaluating a player through roughly 40 games. Slumps of this nature have derailed lesser hitters, but they’ve also been the setup for dramatic second-half surges.
That said, the margin for error is thin. Seattle sits in a competitive AL West division where every series matters, and the club needs Raleigh to rediscover his swing sooner rather than later. If the power doesn’t return by the All-Star break, expect the front office to explore trade deadline options to bolster the lineup. For now, the Mariners are betting that their catcher’s track record outweighs his current struggles — and that the numbers will normalize as the season progresses.
How bad is Cal Raleigh’s 2026 slump compared to other catchers?
Cal Raleigh ranks last among all qualified MLB catchers in slugging percentage through more than a quarter of the 2026 season, according to FOX Sports’ power rankings analysis published in May 2026.
What were Cal Raleigh’s stats in his breakout 2025 season?
Raleigh hit 34 home runs and posted an OPS above .800 during the 2025 season, establishing himself as one of baseball’s top power catchers before signing a contract extension with the Seattle Mariners.
Are the Mariners concerned about Raleigh’s long-term outlook?
The Mariners are not panicking over Raleigh’s first-quarter struggles, viewing the slump as a mechanical issue rather than a talent regression. The coaching staff has implemented timing drills in batting practice to help him rediscover his 2025 form.
Could the Mariners make a trade if Raleigh doesn’t improve?
If Raleigh’s power numbers don’t rebound by the All-Star break, the front office is expected to explore trade deadline options to bolster Seattle’s offense, which ranks among the lowest-scoring lineups in the American League.