Mariners can't just ignore that Cal Raleigh didn't only slump at the plate in 2026

Since his debut, Cal Raleigh has primarily been known for his offensive prowess. From 2021 to 2025, his wRC+ of 126 ranked third among qualified catchers and his 2025 season set a few records, including most home runs while playing catcher and most home runs by a switch-hitter.

However, he's also a Platinum Glove winner, taking home the hardware for the 2024 season thanks to his 17 Defensive Runs Saved. Most of this fielding production came from his pitch framing and catcher ERA, working in perfect sync with Seattle's elite pitching staff to steal strikes, but he was also one of the best at limiting the run game, catching an MLB-leading 32 runners.

Last season was a brutal step back for Seattle's starting backstop and to many, the clear issue was his offense. His 91 OPS+ was a significant regression and his .182 batting average, making a different kind of history as a result. While his offensive struggles took center stage, his fielding contributions also took a major hit.

For the first time in his career, Cal Raleigh was one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball

His defense has been moving in the wrong direction ever since his Platinum Glove campaign, and last season marked a new low. His -6 Defensive Runs Saved was the lowest figure out of any catcher with more than 700 innings at the position. The biggest detractor was his catcher ERA, a defensive area in which he used to excel. Seattle's pitchers struggled more than usual this year and they managed an ERA of 4.24 with Raleigh behind the dish.

The introduction of ABS has reduced the value of pitch framing, but not entirely. With only two challenges per game, stealing strikes still holds some value and Raleigh was one of the worst, accumulating -4 Framing Runs Above Average.

He struggled with traffic on the basepaths too. He still led the American League with 21 runners caught stealing but because of how many stolen bases he gave up, he still landed in the bottom percentile of catchers for Caught Stealing Runs Above Average. His pop time of 2.00 seconds was in the eighth percentile and dragged down by lower arm strength and a slower exchange time.

On the bright side, he was one of the best at blocking pitches but it was hardly enough to compensate for the other two areas of defensive catching. The same injury that served as an offensive obstacle likely also had an impact on his fielding abilities, particularly when it comes to throwing out baserunners.

Fans will have to wait until next season to see whether a healthy Cal Raleigh can return to being the best overall catcher in baseball. In a best-case scenario, 2026 will be a lost season on both sides of the ball, a simple anomalous blip in what will eventually be a long and fruitful career. Defensive variability is a norm in baseball and even the best players can have their ups and downs.

In a worst-case scenario, it's a negative indicator of what's to come but jumping to cynicism comes with its own downsides. Since his debut, Raleigh has been a bedrock of the Mariners' lineup and it's the reason the front office offered him an extension in the first place. Though recency bias may skew opinions towards concern, he's had more great years than bad ones and despite the struggles of the past year, a clean bill of health could lead to a return to form.

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