Classic pregame warm-up: Cal Raleigh smashes a 427-foot home run during spring training

Seattle Mariners power-hitting catcher Cal Raleigh launched his first home run of this year’s Cactus League today. In the warm Peoria stadium, he crushed the first changeup from Chicago White Sox reliever Wikelman González toward left-center field.

This two-run homer tied the game at 3-3, traveling 427 feet, with an exit velocity of 107.4 mph and staying airborne for 6.1 seconds.

About to leave to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Raleigh had a slow start to spring training with 0 hits in 6 at-bats, 3 strikeouts, but also 2 walks. Therefore, during this phase of spring training, the focus for this catcher—who has had the heaviest workload in recent seasons—is to increase his playing time.

“It’s about balancing smart scheduling and accumulating plate appearances,” Raleigh said about his heavier workload this spring. “In the next four or five days, I’ll be doing some training, drills, and games with Team USA. But most of the work still depends on each individual and their respective teams.”

Raleigh was among the earliest players to commit to Team USA’s Classic roster during last July’s All-Star week in Atlanta. He is one of only two catchers on the roster, the other being Dodgers’ Will Smith. He is expected to leave the Dodgers and join Team USA by the end of this month.

“It really comes down to who’s hot at the time,” Raleigh said. “Because you don’t have a full season’s time. There are only a few group-stage games, and there isn’t much time to adjust once you’re there. So the key is who’s ready and who’s got their timing right.”

At Peoria’s secondary field, Raleigh has already logged more batting practice swings than most, including focused matchups against Mariners’ top pitching prospects Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan. He is also playing as many Cactus League games as possible, and not just at the plate.

“For me, everything starts with leg strength,” Raleigh said. “You have to begin from behind the plate. I need to get back there.”

The Classic will be another important stage for Raleigh to showcase his talents.

“I think they’ve done a great job involving a lot of people,” Raleigh said. “Obviously, it’s a global event that benefits baseball greatly and will feature many exciting matchups.”

Today’s homer is likely the first of many for Raleigh in the 2026 season. After a historic 2025 campaign, he may continue to produce similar “finale moments” this year. Last year, Raleigh hit 60 home runs, setting records for catchers and switch hitters, falling just two short of Aaron Judge’s 2022 American League record.

He also won the Home Run Derby championship, and including 5 homers in spring training and 5 more in the playoffs, totaled 70 home runs for the year. In the closest MVP race since 2019, Raleigh ultimately finished second in the AL, narrowly losing to Judge.

Despite this, team goals remain his top priority. This was especially evident during spring training following last year’s AL Championship Series Game 7 elimination.

“That was a great year, looking back I’m grateful for everything that happened,” Raleigh said. “There were a lot of wild moments and different situations, but you have to appreciate their value. Reflect on it, enjoy it, but also know this year will be different with new challenges.”

Raleigh isn’t the only one excited for the Mariners’ new season. This spring, fans have flocked to Arizona in record numbers. Last weekend, the Mariners set a single-game attendance record in the Cactus League since moving to Peoria.

“People are excited,” Raleigh said. “They want a winning team. Seattle fans love their team, especially when it’s performing well. Playing in front of them creates a great atmosphere. We just want to give them more, give them what we believe they deserve.”