SeaTown Sports Brew - Is Cal Raleigh the Mariners' All-Time Best Catcher?

Will Cal Raleigh Overtake Dan Wilson as the Best Catcher in Seattle Mariners History?

Jul 15, 2024

Welcome to the SeaTown Sports Brew, a briefing that provides insight into Seattle’s sports teams, including a roundup of last week’s games and top performers. Have an opinion? Leave us a comment or email me here. Want this in your inbox Monday? Subscribe below.

The Leadoff - Is Cal Raleigh the Best Mariners Catcher Ever?

Cal Raleigh is in only his fourth MLB season, but he is already on his way to being able to claim the title as the Seattle Mariners’ franchise’s best catcher.

Currently holding that title is Dan Wilson. In 12 seasons as the Mariners catcher, Wilson collected a 13.5 WAR, 1071 hits, 88 home runs, and 508 RBIs. He slashed .262/.309/.382.

In 1996 and 1997, he ranked in the top ten in the American League (AL) Defensive WAR. From 1994 through 1997, he finished within the top three in the AL in catcher assists. He led the AL in runners caught stealing in 1995 and 1997 and finished second in 1996, and fourth in 1994.

Wilson’s best season was his all-star season in 1996. He hit .285, and collected 18 homers and 83 RBIs. He made four different playoff appearances with the Mariners (‘95, ‘97, ‘00, ‘01 and was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2012.

Raleigh’s offensive numbers through four seasons are impressive when compared against the backdrop of Wilson’s career. Raleigh already has a 9.2 WAR and 79 home runs. He is slashing .218/.291/.446. Last season, Raleigh finished 5th in catcher assists in the AL, and so far, he leads the AL this season with 35 assists. In runners caught stealing, he finished first in 2022 and ranks first this season as well.

If Raleigh can string together one or two more seasons of his current performance, he will have the offensive and defensive numbers to make the case as the franchise’s best catcher.

The hurdles that Raleigh faces in this legacy debate are intangible. Raleigh is a free agent in 2028, meaning he has three more seasons with the Mariners, which will total seven seasons with Seattle. There is no guarantee that Raleigh sticks around after his contract is up, especially because his agent is Scott Boras. Wilson’s 12 seasons and four playoff appearances count for something, right? Does Cal’s playoff drought-ending home run make up for the potential shortfall in appearances with the team?

Winners and Losers

Loser - Seattle Mariners (52-46) - Hobbling into the All-Star break would be an understatement. Things were looking good after a two-game sweep over the Padres. Then things went bad after the M’s dropped three of four to the lowly Angels. The Astros are now one game back. Guess who the M’s play when the return from the break? That’s right. The Astros. Big games ahead.
Winner - Seattle Storm (16-8) - The Storm went 2-1 this week and are riding a two-game win streak. After dropping a close game to the Las Vegas Aces, the Storm ripped off victories over both the Minnesota Lynx and the Atlanta Dream. Forward Jordan Horston had an impressive game against the Lynx, tallying 16 points on an efficient 8/11 shooting. Horston also collected 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
Winner - Seattle Sounders FC (9-7-7) - The Sounders are on fire. They now have won five straight matches. Their 2-1 victory over Sacramento Republic advances them to the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup. Jordan Morris came through again on Saturday, scoring the team’s lone goal in its 1-0 shutout win over Austin FC.

On-Deck

After the All-Star Game on Tuesday, the M’s (52-46) host the most important series of the year so far, with a three-game set against the Houston Astros (50-46). Will the Mariners still be in first place next Monday?
Sounders FC (9-7-7) host a two-game homestand this week. On Wednesday, they will host St. Louis (4-9-10), 7/17, 7:30 p.m. on Apple TV (MLS Season Pass) and then host LAFC (13-5-4) on Saturday 7/20, 7:30 on Apple TV (MLS Season Pass).
The Storm (16-8) travel to Southern California to take on the Los Angeles Sparks (6-17) on Tuesday, 7/16, 12:30 p.m. on Fox 13+/Amazon Prime (Seattle).

This Week in Seattle Sports History

On July 15, 1999, the inaugural game at Safeco Field took place. Dave Niehaus threw out the first pitch. The Mariners lost 3-2 to their “rival” San Diego Padres.