Record-Setting Home Run Slugger Goes by the Name Big Dumper in the Baseball Circuit
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Back when Cal Raleigh was still climbing through the minor leagues, he was frequently described as "hefty," a "sturdier fellow," or even a "seasoned heftster." However, as the 28-year-old's fame skyrocketed due to his unprecedented home run streak, Raleigh earned a new, catchy nickname - Big Barrel.
For years now, Seattle Mariners fanatics have been hailing Raleigh by this light-hearted nickname, a wink to his sizeable posterior, a nickname first coined by former Mariner outfielder Jarred Kelenic in 2020, when both players were prospects training with the major league squad after the minor league season was cut short due to COVID. But with Raleigh now in the throes of what may well be the greatest season by a catcher in MLB history, the wider public is finally hopping on the bandwagon. "Whatever's mentioned about me usually revolves around the Big Barrel, then it says Cal Raleigh," Raleigh said, grinning, during our recent Zoom discussion. "My mother, for the record, flat-out detests this name."
Despite his lead in the league in home runs (yes, beating Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani), and runs batted in, with over half the season yet to come, Raleigh continues to rewrite history. His 32 home runs are the most ever by a switch hitter before the All-Star break. When his 30th homer cleared the fence on June 21, he joined Seattle legend Ken Griffey Jr. as the only Mariners to reach this milestone so early in the year.
The secret to Raleigh's newfound power in the batter's box, according to him, lies in remaining consistent, never tinkering with his pre-game routine at all. But when you're outpacing heavyweights like Judge and Ohtani, one can't help but wonder: Did even the Big Barrel himself believe he was capable of this much? "Probably not to this extent," he conceded. "I've always known I had the strength to knock a few out of the park, but I didn't think I'd be this intense." This intensity encompasses a whopping six multi-homer games, including one at Wrigley Field, where his second blast of the day exited the stadium entirely.
Insights from data enrichment:- His aggressive pull approach, a 37.4% pull air percentage, contributes significantly to his home run power.- With a career-low strikeout rate of 24.9%, Raleigh has improved his timing and plate discipline for better contact and increased overall offensive production.- Raleigh has not only boosted his batting average substantially from .220 last year to .276 in 2025 but also his on-base percentage, from .312 to .383.- Known for his toughness, Raleigh has missed only one game and has consistently played in 58 games as catcher and 17 games as designated hitter.- His home runs feature high exit velocities (over 105 mph) and optimal launch angles (around 36 degrees), ideal for long home runs.
The Must Read features an enthralling article about Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners' catcher fondly referred to as 'Big Barrel.' Despite his mother not admiring the nickname, Raleigh's incredible home run streak has made it popular. This season, he is on pace to break numerous MLB records, with his 32 home runs being the most ever by a switch hitter before the All-Star break, surpassing even juggernauts like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. To achieve this feat, Raleigh maintains a consistent pre-game routine without alterations and boasts a career-low strikeout rate of 24.9%. His aggressive pull approach, optimal launch angles, and high exit velocities have made him a force to reckon with in sports fashion and style, making him a 'must read' for those who follow sports, particularly baseball and the MLB.
