Count Big Dumper in: Cal Raleigh to participate in MLB’s 2025 Home Run Derby
Let the Dumping begin.
Cal Raleigh has RSVP’d for the home run party, named a participant in the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta, MLB announced Friday morning.
Baseball’s home run leader (32) is locked in as the Seattle’s eighth player to appear in a Home Run Derby — the first since Julio Rodriguez in 2022-23 — and could become the first catcher to win the Derby since its inception in 1985.
“I’m excited to represent the Mariners and our fanbase at the [Home Run] Derby,” Raleigh said. “It will be extra special for me getting to do it in Atlanta, where I spent a lot of time playing baseball as a kid.”
It’s a family affair when Big Dumper reaches Atlanta. His father, Todd, will throw to Raleigh in the event. He’s the former head baseball coach at Western Carolina University (2000-07) and the University of Tennessee (2008-11).
One of the game’s elite power hitters, Raleigh leads the sport with 32 home runs and 69 RBI and became the first switch-hitter in MLB history to reach 30 homers before the All-Star break. In 79 games this season, the reigning AL Platinum Glove Winner has slashed .275/.380/.651 with 47 walks and nine stolen bases.
Hall-of-Famer Ken Griffey Jr. is the only Mariners player to win the Derby with three victories in 1994 and 1998-99. Rodriguez set the Derby’s all-time single-round home run record (41) in front of the Seattle faithful at T-Mobile Park in 2023.
Raleigh’s confirmed competition includes homegrown Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr.
This story was originally published June 27, 2025 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Count Big Dumper in: Cal Raleigh to participate in MLB’s 2025 Home Run Derby."
