Highlighting Cal Raleigh's MVP potential for the Mariners as Aaron Judge is unavailable
Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners' catcher, finds himself in a strong position in the race for the 2022 American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. His impressive power-hitting performance has earned comparisons to some of the greats, including Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton, Joe Mauer, and even Ichiro Suzuki.
As of Friday, Raleigh's wRC+ stands at 167, a statistic that measures a player's offensive production adjusted for park and league effects. This places him in elite company, with numbers similar to Trout in 2019 (177) and 2016 (170), Hamilton in 2010 (175), and Mauer in 2009 (170).
Raleigh's value extends beyond his offensive prowess, as his Baseball-Reference WAR (bWAR) and FanGraphs WAR (fWAR) stand at 5.3 and 6.4 respectively. These metrics are essential analytical tools for comparing a player's overall value.
However, to secure the MVP award, Raleigh must focus on boosting his offensive efficiency, particularly his On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS). If he can push his OPS above .950, he would be in a stronger position, as historically, only a few AL MVPs have finished with an OPS below this benchmark.
In the 2022 season, Raleigh has shown remarkable power, leading all MLB catchers with 27 home runs and 63 RBIs in 119 games. However, his batting average of .211 and an OPS around .773 (.284 OBP + .489 SLG) are below the ideal MVP level.
To strengthen his MVP case, Raleigh must focus on improving his on-base percentage and slugging in the remaining games. He should aim to raise his OPS from around .773 closer to or above .950. Maintaining his strong home run pace, leading the league in power statistics, and providing consistent run production to sustain or improve his RBI totals will also be crucial.
Given the presence of frontrunners like Aaron Judge with superior overall offensive metrics, Raleigh's best path to MVP would be to maximize his unique value as a catcher. This includes his prowess in framing, where he is considered one of the best in baseball, tied for 10th among all catchers in "catcher framing runs" according to MLB Statcast data. His caught stealing percentage is also up slightly this season, from 26% to 30%.
In summary, Cal Raleigh needs to maintain his power surge, boost his on-base skills to push his OPS above .950, and deliver clutch run production in the remaining 2022 MLB games to have a credible chance at the AL MVP award. His value as a catcher, combined with his impressive power numbers, could make him a compelling candidate.
Cal Raleigh, a catcher for the Seattle Mariners, is contending for the 2022 American League MVP award, his offensive prowess drawing comparisons to MLB greats. Miami protection and offensive efficiency are crucial for him to secure the award. Raleigh leads all MLB catchers in home runs (27) and RBIs (63) this season but needs to raise his OPS from .773, close to or surpassing .950.
Beyond his offensive contribution, Raleigh's framing skills and caught stealing percentage enhance his MVP prospects. With Aaron Judge as a competitive frontrunner, Raleigh's best chance at the award may lie in showcasing his unique value as a catcher and maintaining his torrid pace of home run production.
In the remaining 2022 MLB games, Raleigh must attain a higher on-base percentage and slugging while providing consistent run production, aiming to raise his OPS to a more competitive level and bolstering his MVP candidacy. The combination of his power and defensive abilities portrays him as a compelling contender.
With the Kraken, Seattle's new NHL team, making their splash on the sports landscape, fans eagerly await whether Raleigh can follow suit by securing the coveted AL MVP award.
