ATLANTA – On Friday, Seattle Mariners catcher and current MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh announced that he will be participating in the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby in Atlanta next month.

The announcement comes after Raleigh was confirmed as a finalist to start the All-Star Game once Phase 2 of fan voting begins on Monday. Raleigh is currently first among American League catchers in votes and second in the AL in votes behind Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.

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Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh hits a three-run home run that scored J.P. Crawford and Jorge Polanco during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Seattle. Raleigh became the first catcher in MLB history to record 20 home runs before the month of June. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh hits a three-run home run that scored J.P. Crawford and Jorge Polanco during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Seattle. Raleigh became the first catcher in MLB history to record 20 home runs before the month of June. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh (29) hits an RBI-single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh (29) hits an RBI-single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, May 17, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, May 17, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning of baseball game Monday, June 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning of baseball game Monday, June 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Raleigh said that when he takes the field, he will be joined by family; his father Todd will be pitching to him and his 15-year-old brother Todd Jr. will be behind him catching. He looks to become the first catcher to win the derby and the first switch-hitter to win it outright.

During his time with the Travelers, Raleigh hit seven home runs with his first coming at Dickey-Stephens Park on Aug. 7, 2019. If he won the derby, he would become the first Travelers alumni to win, but not the first to compete.

GALLERY: Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh joins elite company with Saturday home run

Ray LankfordSt. Louis Cardinals’ Ray Lankford hits his second home run of the game off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brett Tomko Tuesday, July 15, 1997, during the third inning in Cincinnati. Both home runs were in the upper deck red seats as Lankford became the first player in the history of the stadium to hit two such home runs in the same game. Catching is Joe Oliver. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Ray Lankford hits his second home run of the game off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brett Tomko Tuesday, July 15, 1997, during the third inning in Cincinnati. Both home runs were in the upper deck red seats as Lankford became the first player in the history of the stadium to hit two such home runs in the same game. Catching is Joe Oliver. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Ray Lankford is congratulated by teammate Mark McGwire (25) and other Cardinals after hitting the game- winning two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, May 16, 1999 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. McGwire also scored on the play. The Cardinals won 5-4. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Ray Lankford is congratulated by teammate Mark McGwire (25) and other Cardinals after hitting the game- winning two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, May 16, 1999 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. McGwire also scored on the play. The Cardinals won 5-4. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Ray Lankford watches the ball leave the park after hitting a two-run homer in the ninth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, May 16, 1999, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. It was Lankford’s second home run of the game. (AP Photo/Mary Butkus)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Ray Lankford watches the ball leave the park after hitting a two-run homer in the ninth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, May 16, 1999, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. It was Lankford’s second home run of the game. (AP Photo/Mary Butkus)

The St. Louis Cardinals Ray Lankford, left, and Brian Jordan celebrate at home plate after they scored the go-ahead runs on teammate Gary Gaetti?s ninth inning double on Tuesday, April 22, 1997 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Cardinals scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to pull out the victory, 6-4. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

The St. Louis Cardinals Ray Lankford, left, and Brian Jordan celebrate at home plate after they scored the go-ahead runs on teammate Gary Gaetti?s ninth inning double on Tuesday, April 22, 1997 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Cardinals scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to pull out the victory, 6-4. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

In 1989 when the Travelers played at Ray Winder Field, they were an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and saw budding stars spend time perfecting their craft in the capital city like Ray Lankford. During his time with the Travs, Lankford hit 11 home runs and played on a roster that included future MLB players like Bernard Gilkey and Jeff Fassero.

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He was selected to the 1997 All-Star Game at Jacobs Field in Cleveland where he also participated in that year’s Home Run Derby. Lankford hit two home runs, but lost to hitters like Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr. and eventual winner Tino Martinez.

Mark TrumboAmerican League’s Mark Trumbo, of the Los Angeles Angels, swings during the second round of the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 9, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

American League’s Mark Trumbo, of the Los Angeles Angels, swings during the second round of the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 9, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

American League’s Mark Trumbo, of the Los Angeles Angels, participates in the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 9, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

American League’s Mark Trumbo, of the Los Angeles Angels, participates in the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 9, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

American League’s Mark Trumbo, of the Baltimore Orioles, hits during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 11, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

American League’s Mark Trumbo, of the Baltimore Orioles, hits during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 11, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

American League’s Mark Trumbo, of the Baltimore Orioles is announced prior to the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 11, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

American League’s Mark Trumbo, of the Baltimore Orioles is announced prior to the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 11, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Beginning in 2001, the Travelers were an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and served as the new home to players like Chone Figgins, Brendan Donnelly and John Lackey who would go on to win a World Series with the Angels in 2002. When the Travs won the Texas League title in 2008, one of their driving forces was first baseman Mark Trumbo who hit 21 home runs during his time with the team.

Trumbo competed in two home run derbies as a pro, first in 2012 as a member of the Angels when he hit 13 homers. He also competed in the derby in 2016 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles and beat Corey Seager in the first round before losing to the eventual winner Giancarlo Stanton.

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GALLERY: Former Arkansas Travelers eligible for voting to 2025 MLB All-Star Game

Julio RodriguezJulio Rodriguez, of the Seattle Mariners, hits during the first round of the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby in Seattle, Monday, July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Julio Rodriguez, of the Seattle Mariners, hits during the first round of the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby in Seattle, Monday, July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

American League’s Julio Rodriguez, of the Seattle Mariners, bats during the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

American League’s Julio Rodriguez, of the Seattle Mariners, bats during the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

American League’s Julio Rodriguez, of the Seattle Mariners, reacts after he beat National League’s Pete Alonso, of the New York Mets, to advance to the second round during the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby in Seattle, Monday, July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Warren)

American League’s Julio Rodriguez, of the Seattle Mariners, reacts after he beat National League’s Pete Alonso, of the New York Mets, to advance to the second round during the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby in Seattle, Monday, July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Warren)

American League’s Julio Rodriguez, of the Seattle Mariners, bats during the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

American League’s Julio Rodriguez, of the Seattle Mariners, bats during the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

In 2017, the Seattle Mariners became the new big-league affiliate of the Travelers which brought a new breed of stars to North Little Rock including Julio Rodriguez. He played with the Travs in 2021 on a team that featured current major leaguers like Jose Caballero, Stephen Kolek, Emerson Hancock and George Kirby.

Rodriguez debuted with the Mariners in April of 2022 and was named to the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby where he beat Corey Seager and Pete Alonso on his way to the finals before losing to Juan Soto. He competed in the derby again the next year at T-Mobile Park in Seattle where he beat Pete Alonso before falling to eventual winner Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the semifinals.

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Judge, Ohtani elected to start in All-Star Game as top vote-getters

The 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby will happen on July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta where Raleigh will compete against other MLB stars like Ronald Acuña Jr of the hometown Braves.

To vote for your favorite player to be in the ASG starting lineup, visit MLB.com.

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