Mariners fans fired up as Cal Raleigh finally gets recognition he deserves

With just a week remaining before Opening Day, the excitement among Seattle Mariners fans is more than likely getting ready to boil over.

That anticipation amplified when Dayn Perry of CBS Sports released the site's annual list of the Top 100 players in Major League Baseball for 2025. While the top names were expected — Shohei Ohtani claimed the No. 1 spot, followed by Bobby Witt Jr., Aaron Judge, and Gunnar Henderson — Mariners fans had their eyes set on where their own stars landed.

Julio Rodríguez, unsurprisingly, ranked highest at No. 11. But the real headline for Seattle came just three spots lower: Cal Raleigh at No. 14.

Recognition for Cal Raleigh is badly overdue

The ranking was accompanied by a bold statement posed as a question: "The most underrated player in baseball?" It is a declaration that sends waves of validation across the Emerald City, where fans have long felt that their beloved "Big Dumper" was consistently being overlooked by the national media.

For two consecutive seasons, Raleigh has smashed 30-plus home runs while expertly managing one of the youngest and most talented pitching staffs in the league. His defensive prowess has placed him among the elite backstops in the game, even earning him a Platinum Glove in 2024.

Yet, until now, national analysts had largely ignored Raleigh's contributions. Many Mariners fans would argue that before CBS even began writing up his profile, they should have started with a sincere apology.

Even more impressive is who he ranked above. Raleigh sits as the highest-ranked catcher on the list, two spots ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers’ William Contreras. And that’s not all. He also outpaced major stars like Corey Seager, Ketel Marte, Kyle Tucker, Elly De La Cruz, and Adley Rutschman. These are household names, players who dominate national headlines, yet Raleigh surpassed them in the rankings.

How will the competition react now that "Big Dumper" is among the elite on the big stage?

Could this newfound recognition finally push Raleigh toward more tangible accolades?

Despite finishing the last two seasons with down-ballot MVP votes, he has yet to receive an All-Star nod. The selection process remains as much a popularity contest with on-field contributions playing a role. National exposure could be the push he needs to finally earn a spot. A Silver Slugger award has also eluded him, likely due to his high strikeout rate and lower batting average.

If he can improve his plate discipline and become a more consistent hitter, a No. 14 ranking could just be the beginning. As the 2025 season unfolds, it will be fascinating to see whether this well-deserved national recognition translates into more All-Star votes, awards, and, most importantly, sustained dominance on the field.

One thing is certain: Seattle fans have known for years just how valuable Cal Raleigh is. Now, the rest of the baseball community is finally catching up.