SEATTLE -- It’s finally official: Cal Raleigh is an All-Star.
The Mariners’ catcher won Phase 2 of the PRO SPIRIT MLB All-Star Ballot that closed on Wednesday morning over Toronto’s Alejandro Kirk to earn the spot in the American League’s starting lineup.
The Midsummer Classic is slated for July 15 at Truist Park, which will represent a homecoming of sorts for Raleigh, who grew up 150 miles away in North Carolina but regularly played competitive travel ball as an amateur in the Atlanta area.
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This is his first All-Star selection, and he joined Dan Wilson -- his manager and longtime mentor -- as the only catchers in Mariners history to earn the nod. Wilson was chosen in 1996, though he did not start that game, which makes Raleigh the first in Seattle’s history to earn that distinction.
Wilson made the announcement to Raleigh in a team meeting before Seattle’s 3-2 win over the Royals at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday.
“It's kind of like a dream come true with an All-Star Game and being a starter, but we definitely have bigger things ahead,” Raleigh said. “I'm looking forward to October with these guys and winning the World Series for them. That's the real dream.”
Though his production has been among the sport’s best, Raleigh still needed help down the stretch to get in, as All-Star starters are exclusively determined by the fan vote. The Mariners’ creative and social media teams made a strong effort this week with increased content for that final push.
Final vote totals in Phase 2 weren’t immediately available, though when the tally was reset at the end of Phase 1, Raleigh (3,040,594 votes) had a huge lead on Kirk (1,210,173) and ranked second to only Aaron Judge for most in the AL.
“Thank you to everyone,” Raleigh said. “I've got family, friends, fans from a long time ago, fans from now. You guys have been awesome. And I appreciate everybody getting the word out. I appreciate the Mariners, too. They did a heck of a job getting the word out.”
Wednesday’s announcement brought the latest accolade for Raleigh in a season that’s been full of them. He leads MLB with 33 homers and 71 RBIs while playing the sport’s most demanding position, and he’s already set first-half records for the most homers by both a catcher and switch-hitter.
Overall, Raleigh also ranks among the AL leaders in wins above replacement, per FanGraphs (second, 5.6), on-base percentage (tied sixth, .383), slugging percentage (second, .641), OPS (second, 1.024), runs scored (second, 60) and wRC+ (second, 184, where league average is 100).
He’s also thrust himself into the AL MVP conversation, edging closer to the two-time winner Judge -- in the third and latest poll from MLB.com.
“It's all about just compartmentalizing and handling [extra attention] gracefully, and doing the right things,” Raleigh said. “But like I've said, making sure you turn your attention to the most important thing -- which is the game.”
Wilson has had the ultimate front row seat to Raleigh’s ascent, having mentored him since shortly after he was selected in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Florida State University.
Wilson, who had been a special assignment coach on the Minors side before taking over as manager last August, is obviously one of the most decorated players in franchise history -- one of just 11 members to the team’s Hall of Fame and the only catcher.
There’s a good chance that Raleigh will eventually join him some day if he keeps this pace, especially after signing a six-year, $105 million extension just before Opening Day that will keep him in Seattle through his age-33 season.
“As coaches, you're just happy and excited to see the guys that you've been around succeed,” Wilson said. “And he is one that we all recognized very early on, that this was a special player, a special person. I think we're not surprised by it in any way, but to see how far he's come and all the work that he has put in -- again, words are kind of hard to quantify exactly what it feels like.”
Beyond the All-Star Game, Raleigh has also committed to take part in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 14, with his dad, Todd, throwing to him and his 15-year-old brother, Todd Jr., behind the plate.
No other Mariners have been announced as All-Stars, though MLB hasn’t yet shared the rest of the AL and National League rosters. Those will be revealed during a special ESPN telecast on Sunday at 2 p.m. PT.