Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh showcased his impressive power by winning the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby, held at Truist Park on a hot and humid night. Raleigh defeated Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays in the final round, solidifying his status as a rising star in Major League Baseball. His victory not only earned him a trophy featuring two criss-crossed silver baseball bats but also a lavish championship chain adorned with the words “Derby Champ.”
Raleigh’s journey to the top was marked by remarkable performances and personal significance. He had his father, Todd Raleigh, pitching for him, while his 15-year-old brother stood behind as one of the event’s catchers. This familial support added a heartfelt layer to the competition, which Raleigh described as a dream come true. “It just means the world,” he expressed after the contest. “I just can’t believe I won.”
Raleigh, who leads the league with 38 home runs at the All-Star break, started strong in the final round. He quickly found his rhythm, hitting seven home runs before taking a brief timeout. In the final minute, he added eight more, including a dramatic shot that cleared the fence just as time expired. Following a bonus round, where he hit three additional home runs, Raleigh’s total of 18 home runs left Caminero needing 19 to claim victory.
Caminero began his final round with impressive shots into the left field grandstands, thrilling the crowd. Despite a strong performance, including a tiebreaker round against Brent Rooker earlier, he finished with a total of 15 home runs, falling short of Raleigh’s mark.
The event was packed with excitement, from Jazz Chisholm Jr.‘s unexpected struggles, where he only hit three home runs in the opening round, to Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves energizing the crowd with his late surge. The competition featured several highlights, including James Wood of the Washington Nationals launching a impressive 486-foot home run, and O’Neil Cruz showcasing his power with a 513-foot shot earlier in the event.
Raleigh’s victory is particularly historic as he becomes the first catcher and the first switch hitter ever to win the Home Run Derby. After the event, the Raleigh family signed a baseball for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, marking a special moment in their lives. “Kind of surreal,” Raleigh reflected on the experience. “You don’t think you’re gonna win it. The fact that you win it with your family – super special. What a night.”
With his win, Raleigh not only takes home a prize purse of $1 million but also enters the upcoming All-Star Game with momentum, where he is set to bat fourth for the American League squad. As baseball fans eagerly anticipate his performance, Raleigh’s journey serves as an inspiring story of family, dedication, and achievement on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
