
Caleb John “Cal” Raleigh has become one of the most electrifying players in Major League Baseball, combining power, defense, and consistency behind the plate. As the 2025 season unfolds, he’s breaking records, setting new benchmarks for catchers, and generating buzz across the league. This article dives into his current home run tally, his home-run pace, whether he is married, and his college / amateur path — painting a full picture of who Raleigh is both on and off the field.
Who Is Cal Raleigh?
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Name: Caleb John Raleigh
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Nickname: “Big Dumper” Wikipedia+1
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Born: November 26, 1996, in Cullowhee, North Carolina
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Bats/Throws: Switch / Right
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Height/Weight: 6’2″, 235 lbs
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Position: Catcher (also plays designated hitter at times) for the Seattle Mariners
College & Amateur Background
To understand how Raleigh became the hitter he is today, it helps to look at where he came from in college and earlier.
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High School: Smoky Mountain High School in North Carolina. Raleigh developed as a prospect in high school and drew attention from college programs.
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College: Florida State University. He played three seasons at Florida State (2016-2018) before entering professional baseball.
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At FSU, Raleigh showed a mix of power and plate discipline, which helped him in the MLB Draft. He was a third-round pick (overall 90th) by the Seattle Mariners in the 2018 draft.
This college foundation helped develop both his offensive approach (able to switch-hit, work counts) and defensive skills (catching, framing, handling pitchers).
Home Runs Today & Home Run Pace (2025)
One of the central storylines surrounding Cal Raleigh in 2025 is his home run numbers — both in raw totals, records being challenged / broken, and his pace.
Current Home Run Totals
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As of mid-September 2025, Raleigh has smashed more than 50 home runs in the season.
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Specifically, on September 14, 2025, he tied Mickey Mantle’s single-season home run record for switch-hitters (54 HRs), when he hit his 54th HR.
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Then on September 17, 2025, he hit his 55th HR of the season, surpassing Mantle’s record for switch-hit home runs in a season.
Pace & Projections
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Raleigh’s pace in 2025 has put him in rare air. He is on track to be one of the best power seasons ever by a catcher, and potentially to challenge some all-time batting home run marks.
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For context: he already has broken the single-season home run record for a full-time catcher.
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If he maintains his current power pace through the end of the season, there is talk among analysts of him reaching or surpassing 60 home runs, which is extraordinary for any player, but almost unheard of for a catcher. (Of course, durability, injuries, opposing pitching, and end-of-season fatigue all factor in.)
Other Statlines Supporting the Power
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His exit velocity, hard-hit %, barrel rate, and Statcast metrics are also elite, showing that his home runs are not flukes but a result of consistent power hitting.
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He also plays a demanding defensive position, which makes his home run output even more impressive. Catchers tend to have more fatigue and durability challenges than many other positions. Raleigh’s ability to stay healthy and productive is part of what is making this season historic.
Is Cal Raleigh Married?
As of the latest information (mid to late 2025), Cal Raleigh is not married, but he is in a publicly known relationship.
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Raleigh has been dating Hannah Shimek since roughly 2023. Sportskeeda+1
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Hannah Shimek is a former multi-sport athlete in high school (softball, basketball), and also has a college background; she attended Southern Oregon University.
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The two have appeared together at public events (like Mariners’ functions, red carpet appearances) and are clearly together, but there is no reliable source confirming that they are married.
So for now, Raleigh’s relationship status is “in a relationship” rather than married. If marriage happens, it would likely appear in credible sports or news media, and be announced officially.
Other Key Career & Personal Highlights
To round out the picture of Cal Raleigh, here are things worth knowing.
Records & Awards
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2024: Won the Gold Glove and the Platinum Glove in the American League — the first Mariner to win the Platinum Glove.
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All-Star in 2025 for the first time.
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Became the first catcher (and switch-hitter) to win the Home Run Derby in 2025.
Contract
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In March 2025, Raleigh signed a six-year, $105 million contract extension with the Seattle Mariners.
Hitting Profile & Defensive Skills
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Switch hitter: He can bat both left and right, which adds to his value, especially in home run power from both sides.
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Strong defensive catcher: Besides home runs, he frames pitches well, handles pitchers, calls games, shows durability. His defensive achievements (Gold, Platinum Glove) reflect that.
Family & Baseball Roots
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Son of Todd Raleigh, a collegiate baseball coach (Western Carolina University and University of Tennessee). Baseball runs in the family.
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He has a younger brother, Todd Jr., and has involved his family in personal highlights (for example, his father and brother took part in the Home Run Derby — his dad pitched, his younger brother caught in certain rounds).
Why This 2025 Season Is Historic (for Cal Raleigh)
Putting together all the pieces above, here’s why Raleigh’s 2025 season is being talked about as one of the greatest ever for a catcher, particularly in MLB power history:
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Most home runs by a catcher in a single season is already in his grasp, and he has surpassed previous records.
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Breaking or tying the records for switch-hitters (like Mickey Mantle’s) adds an extra narrative dimension.
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Winning the Home Run Derby as a catcher/switch hitter is rare, and he’s one of the few players who have done it, which boosts both his fame and his legacy.
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The defensive side of the game is not being neglected: winning Gold & Platinum Gloves indicates he’s not just power, but also quality handling the tough aspects of catching. Catchers that hit many home runs but don’t defend well tend to get more criticism; Raleigh is avoiding that.
What Still Remains To Be Seen & Challenges
Even great seasons come with challenges; here are what fans and analysts are watching:
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Durability: Catching is a physically demanding position, and sustaining high performance (especially power hitting) through a long season with minimal injury is tough. Raleigh has so far shown good health, but late-season fatigue and wear could matter.
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Maintaining Pace Under Pressure: As more pitchers begin to adjust (working more carefully against him), and as game situations shift (pitch counts, matchups, fatigue), sustaining the home run rate becomes harder.
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Postseason / Big Moments: How he performs in high-stakes games (if Mariners make deep playoff runs) will impact his legacy.
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Off-field life / distractions: With rising fame comes more media attention. Balancing personal life, relationships, endorsements, expectation will matter.
SEO-Friendly Key Stats & Snapshots (for 2025 Season)
Here are stats and facts that are useful for fans, writers, or anyone trying to understand where Raleigh stands today (mid-September 2025):
Category | Stat / Fact |
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Home Runs | 54-55 (has broken Mantle’s switch-hitter record with 55 |
Status of the Catcher Home Run Record | Most in a season by a full-time catcher (set and broken during this season) |
Batting Average (2025) | Around .239 (or in the .230-.250 range depending on source) |
RBIs | Over 110, among league leaders. |
Awards | All-Star (2025), Gold Glove (2024), Platinum Glove (2024) |
Is Cal Raleigh Married?
Let’s return to that question more directly: is he married?
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No credible public source confirms that Cal Raleigh has ever been married. Multiple articles rooting out his relationship status confirm a girlfriend (Hannah Shimek) rather than a spouse.
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Sometimes fan-oriented media misstate or assume a marriage (e.g. referring to a girlfriend as wife), but as of the most recent information, there is no legal or confirmed marriage.
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Given both Raleigh and his girlfriend appear in public sometimes together, but no wedding announcements or credible marriage records are public.
So, current status: Not married (but in a relationship).
Conclusion
Cal Raleigh’s 2025 season is the sort that forces baseball fans, analysts, and historians alike to pay attention. With his home run totals rising, records being tied or broken, and milestones like winning the Home Run Derby, he is rewriting expectations for catchers. Off the field, his college years at Florida State set a strong foundation, while his personal life (relationship with Hannah Shimek) remains relatively low-key compared to his on-field exploits.
If you follow baseball this season, keeping track of his home run pace, how he holds up defensively, and whether he pushes past existing records will be must-watch things. And for now, while some might hope to see wedding bells one day, there’s no indication Cal Raleigh is married, just deeply committed both to his craft and those close to him.
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