At this point, Raleigh seems sure to get an invite. The switch-hitting catcher regained the MLB home run lead<\/a> on Thursday afternoon, moving back in front of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani with his 24th long ball of the season.<\/p>\n If Raleigh were to continue at his torrid pace, he would be on track for nearly 64 home runs. New York Yankees star Aaron Judge holds the American League record with 62 homers in 2022, while Kansas City Royals slugger Salvador Perez holds the MLB record for a catcher with 48 in 2021.<\/p>\n So the question, rather, is whether Raleigh would accept a derby invite. Some players decline, usually due to the fear of developing bad habits that could negatively impact their swings<\/a> when games resume after the All-Star break.<\/p>\n But for Raleigh, it doesn\u2019t sound like there would be any hesitation.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I ever got invited to (the derby), I would 100 percent do that,\u201d Raleigh said when asked by ESPN host Mina Kimes during a segment on the Mina Kimes Show<\/a> that was posted on Thursday.<\/p>\n If Raleigh does participate in the July 14 derby, it\u2019d be a homecoming of sorts. Raleigh grew up in Cullowhee, N.C., which is some 150 miles northeast of the Atlanta Braves\u2019 ballpark.<\/p>\n Raleigh also would have a chance to become just the second derby contestant to hit from both sides of the plate at the event. Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman became the first to do so during the 2023 derby in Seattle. Raleigh has 16 homers from the left side this season and eight from the right side.<\/p>\n Since the Home Run Derby began in 1985, the Mariners have had seven different players compete in the event for a combined 16 appearances. Ken Griffey Jr. competed eight times (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000), while Julio Rodr\u00edguez (2022, 2023) and Bret Boone (2001, 2003) did so twice. Jay Buhner (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Edgar Martinez (2000) and Robinson Cano (2016) were each one-time contestants.<\/p>\n Griffey is the lone Mariners slugger to win the derby. He did so three times \u2013 in 1994, 1998 and 1999.<\/p>\n What about the WBC?<\/p>\n Kimes also asked Raleigh whether he\u2019d like to play for Team USA in next spring\u2019s World Baseball Classic.<\/p>\n Once again, Raleigh sounded all-in.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, in a heartbeat,\u201d Raleigh said. \u201cI feel like that\u2019s like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And you saw what it was like the last time (in the 2023 WBC) with the whole Mike Trout-Ohtani (matchup)<\/a> and how many people were tuning in and how good it was for baseball. I\u2019d love to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n The 2026 WBC is scheduled for March 5-17, which is during the middle of spring training. It will take place across four cities: Houston, Miami, Tokyo and San Juan, Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n More on the Seattle Mariners<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Ranking the Seattle Mariners\u2019 trade deadline needs by position<\/a>![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1749278954_411_hqdefault.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0Why Seattle Mariners are well-positioned to make big trade<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Cal Raleigh reclaims MLB HR lead with moonshot blast<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Cal Raleigh gives hilarious answer after doing lie detector test<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0What M\u2019s manager said about Logan Gilbert\u2019s second rehab start<\/a><\/p>\n
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