Cal Raleigh Lost Season: Mariners Catcher Struggles After Record Year

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is experiencing a significant offensive decline in 2026, characterized by a struggle to hit fastballs that has dropped his OPS to .579 through July, according to Sports Illustrated. This follows a dominant 2025 season in which Raleigh recorded a .948 OPS and hit 60 home runs.

The decline represents a sharp reversal in production for the Mariners’ primary catcher. While Raleigh established himself as a premier power threat in the previous year, his current inability to adjust to high-velocity pitching has limited him to 11 home runs by the end of July 2026, Sports Illustrated reports.

The struggle is specifically tied to fastball recognition and timing. According to the analysis provided by Sports Illustrated, Raleigh’s current performance indicates a failure to catch up to fastballs, a stark contrast to the efficiency he displayed during his 60-home run campaign in 2025.

The statistical gap between the two seasons is substantial. Raleigh’s OPS has fallen by .369 points, moving from .948 in 2025 to .579 in 2026. The drop in home run production is equally steep, as he has managed fewer than 20% of his previous season’s total through the first seven months of the current year.