Cal Raleigh's Home Run Derby enthusiasm should have Mariners fans feeling uneasy

In a recent article from Daniel Kramer on MLB.com, Cal Raleigh seemed to indicate that he would like to participate in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby. After seeing Julio Rodriguez compete in 2022 and 2023, it sure would be fun to see another Seattle Mariner in the derby, but is it really the best outcome for the team? Fans could be feeling uneasy about Raleigh's derby enthusiasm.

"I would do that in a heartbeat,” Raleigh said when asked about the derby, according to Kramer.

It's very likely he is going to get his shot. With an MLB-leading 24 home runs, Raleigh is surely well on his way to an All-Star selection. If he does compete in the derby, he would be the top seed.

Cal Raleigh deserves to be in the Home Run Derby, but should Mariners fans want that?

Would it be fun to see Raleigh swing for the fences with the MLB's biggest stars this July? Of course it would. It might also help put Raleigh on the map to a larger market of fans. However, there is cause for concern.

Raleigh has already been such a workhorse this year. He has started 47 games at catcher and 13 at DH, meaning he's only been left out of the starting lineup once (and he did enter that game as well!). Raleigh's 265 plate appearances lead all catchers by a wide margin in 2025.

There is no doubt Raleigh's durability has been impressive, but perhaps Raleigh should take a break? Participating in the Home Run Derby just takes away one more rest day from "Big Dumper," who will likely then start the All-Star game the next day for the American League.

While it seems clear that Raleigh does not want to take days off, is it really best for his long-term health to work him into the ground? Or are the Mariners playing a dangerous game here? Last year, Seattle squeezed every ounce they could get out of their starting rotation, and look at it now. Gilbert, Kirby and Miller have all struggled with both injuries and inconsistency.

And not to mention...the Home Run Derby curse could come Raleigh's way. Despite an article from The Athletic last year calling it a myth, many fans are not sure. That same Athletic piece admits that 68 percent of derby participants hit fewer home runs per plate appearance after the derby than before it.

The most recent example of a star player being affected by the Home Run Derby curse is none other than Juan Soto. Soto had hit 20 home runs before winning the 2022 derby, but he managed just seven more longballs the rest of the way. Not only that, his OPS fell from .901 to .783 in the second half.

Of course, it is unrealistic to expect Raleigh to hit 60 home runs, the number he's currently on pace for. Regression will likely come at some point this season. But throwing another factor into the mix like the Home Run Derby, might not be the best decision. Ultimately, it is a decision that comes down to Raleigh. If he wants to play, you'd better believe he'll be there.