Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners' star catcher, is mired in a brutal 0-for-25 slump that has left fans and analysts scratching their heads. The All-Star backstop hasn't recorded a hit since April 27 and has sat out three of the team's last six games—a startling turn for a player who looked like the game's premier slugger just a season ago.

In 2025, Raleigh made history as a switch-hitting catcher, launching 60 home runs and making a legitimate MVP push. His OPS jumped by 200 points, and his home run total nearly doubled from the previous year. He was the engine of Seattle's lineup, combining elite power with Gold Glove-caliber defense behind the plate. But the 2026 season has been a different story entirely. Raleigh currently owns the third-lowest batting average among all qualified hitters, and the Mariners' front office is feeling the pinch after trading his heir apparent, Harry Ford, to the Washington Nationals last offseason.

So, what went wrong? The root cause appears to be a dramatic drop in quality of contact. Where Raleigh was consistently driving the ball with authority in 2025, he's now rolling over on pitches and popping up at an alarming rate. His approach at the plate has become tentative, and he's struggling to square up even hittable offerings.

Some of these issues may trace back to spring training, when Raleigh joined Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. He entered camp as the favorite to start at catcher, but went hitless in nine at-bats across three games, drawing five walks but failing to find any rhythm. Manager Mark DeRosa ultimately benched him in favor of Will Smith. Unfortunately, those struggles have carried over into the regular season, and Raleigh has yet to rediscover the form that made him one of baseball's most feared hitters.

For a Mariners team with playoff aspirations and limited offensive depth, getting Raleigh back on track is critical. The good news? A slump like this—even one as deep as 0-for-25—doesn't erase a season of historic production. Catchers often face unique challenges with workload and recovery, and Raleigh's track record suggests he has the tools to bounce back. But for now, Seattle is holding its breath, waiting for their slugger to find his swing again.