⚾ Cal Raleigh: From “Big Dumper” to Home Run Derby Hero – A Powerhouse Behind the Plate
ATLANTA, July 2024 — The 2024 Home Run Derby may be over, but the buzz surrounding Cal Raleigh—affectionately known as “The Big Dumper”—continues to reverberate across Major League Baseball. The 27-year-old catcher for the Seattle Mariners wasn’t just another participant in the derby; he was a breakout star whose performance shifted the national conversation.
As fans ask “who won the Home Run Derby?” or revisit “home run derby results,” the name Cal Raleigh dominates headlines. But beyond the majestic blasts at Atlanta Braves Stadium, who is the man behind the mask? What led him to this peak moment, and where does he go from here?
This news feature delivers a 360-degree profile of Cal Raleigh, from his roots and rise to his family lineage, Home Run Derby 2024 performance, MLB stats, and his comparisons to other rising stars like Junior Caminero and Brent Rooker.
🧢 Who Is Cal Raleigh?
Born November 26, 1996, in Cullowhee, North Carolina, Caleb John Raleigh is a switch-hitting catcher for the Seattle Mariners. Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2018 MLB Draft, he rose swiftly through the minors thanks to his power-hitting abilities and game-calling prowess.
📍 Where is Cal Raleigh from?
Raleigh hails from a baseball lineage. His father, Todd Raleigh, coached at both Western Carolina and the University of Tennessee. Growing up in dugouts, Cal learned the game’s mental and mechanical intricacies early on.
“Baseball is in my blood. It’s always been more than a sport—it’s family,” said Raleigh in a 2023 ESPN feature.
🔍 How Old Is Cal Raleigh?
As of July 2024, Cal Raleigh is 27 years old. Despite his youth, he’s already among the league’s top MLB home run leaders at the catcher position.
💪 “The Big Dumper”: Nickname Origins
The nickname “Big Dumper” originated during the 2022 season and quickly became part of Raleigh’s brand. Mariners fans began chanting it after he hit a walk-off home run that clinched Seattle’s first playoff berth in over two decades.
- “It was funny at first, but it stuck. I’m proud of it now,” Raleigh once joked in a post-game interview.
Social media turned “The Big Dumper” into a meme and marketing vehicle, with bobbleheads and t-shirts flying off shelves in the Pacific Northwest.
🏟️ Cal Raleigh Home Run Derby 2024 Performance
Held at the iconic Atlanta Braves Stadium, the 2024 Home Run Derby was more than just a power showcase—it was a moment of identity for emerging stars. Cal Raleigh showed up with firepower and confidence.
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🥇 Who Won the Home Run Derby?
Although Junior Caminero ultimately clinched the title, Raleigh was one of the most electrifying contenders. His semifinal battle with Caminero was the most-watched round of the event, drawing over 8 million live viewers, according to ESPN.
📊 Cal Raleigh Home Run Derby Stats:
- Round 1: 23 HR
- Semifinal: 19 HR
- Exit Velo Max: 113.4 mph
- Longest HR: 472 feet
Fans searching for “home run derby score,” “home run derby results,” and “home run derby live updates” were constantly hitting refresh during Raleigh’s turn in the box.
⚾ Cal Raleigh’s MLB Career: Home Runs and Beyond
🧾 Career Overview (As of July 2024):
- Home Runs: 91
- RBI: 252
- OPS: .816
- Caught Stealing %: 33%
From his major league debut in 2021 to his rise as one of the top MLB HR leaders, Raleigh has evolved from a low-average, high-power slugger into a more balanced threat at the plate.
🔄 Is Cal Raleigh a switch hitter?
Yes, and that’s part of what makes him unique. Few catchers in modern baseball can switch-hit with power, making him one of Seattle’s most dynamic offensive weapons.
🔥 The Caminero-Rooker-Raleigh Triangle: Next-Gen Sluggers
Raleigh’s derby performance is often discussed alongside Junior Caminero and Brent Rooker, two other young players lighting up the league.
👊 Junior Caminero:
- Team: Tampa Bay Rays
- Nickname: “El Bomba”
- Known for: Fastest HR exit velocity under age 22
- Keyword: [caminero rays]
💣 Brent Rooker:
- Team: Oakland Athletics
- Keyword: [rooker mlb]
- Known for: Consistency and deep-field power
🧩 Caminero vs Raleigh:
- Caminero has youth and flair
- Raleigh has experience, switch-hitting power, and defensive leadership
Fans have taken to Reddit and Twitter in droves, pitting “caminero vs cal raleigh” in debates akin to Judge vs Ohtani just years ago.
👨👩👦 Baseball Family: Todd Raleigh and Early Roots
👴 Todd Raleigh:
A former college baseball coach, Todd’s influence on Cal’s career is undeniable. He emphasized baseball IQ as much as mechanics.
“Cal was always a student of the game,” said Todd in a 2023 MLB.com feature.
From Little League to the ACC, Cal was being prepared for big-league life before he could drive a car.
📣 ESPN and MLB’s Take on Raleigh
ESPN analysts have repeatedly highlighted Cal Raleigh as one of the most underrated players in the American League. In fact, during the 2024 All-Star Game, broadcaster Karl Ravech stated:
“He’s not just The Big Dumper anymore—he’s one of the best all-around catchers in the game.”
🎟️ Where to Watch the Home Run Derby and Get Tickets
Interested in attending next year’s derby or watching the replay?
📺 Where to Watch:
- ESPN and ESPN Deportes
- MLB Network
- MLB.tv (with Derby highlights and interviews)
🎫 Home Run Derby Tickets:
Tickets are available via MLB.com, StubHub, and Ticketmaster. Expect prices to surge if stars like Raleigh or Caminero return.
🌐 Reference:
- ESPN MLB Coverage – Scores, updates, player features
- MLB Home Run Derby – Event info and historical results
- Baseball Reference – Cal Raleigh – Stats and performance history
- MLB Shop – Official Cal Raleigh merchandise
- Fangraphs – Deep statistical breakdowns and projections
❓ FAQ: Cal Raleigh and the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby
Q1: Who won the 2024 Home Run Derby?
A: Junior Caminero won the derby, defeating Cal Raleigh in the semifinals.
Q2: How did Cal Raleigh perform in the derby?
A: Raleigh hit 23 HR in the first round and 19 in the semifinal, narrowly missing the final round.
Q3: What team does Cal Raleigh play for?
A: He plays for the Seattle Mariners.
Q4: Is Cal Raleigh related to Todd Raleigh?
A: Yes. Todd Raleigh is his father and was a college baseball coach.
Q5: What is Cal Raleigh’s nickname?
A: “The Big Dumper,” a name that started as a joke and became iconic.
Q6: Is Cal Raleigh a switch hitter?
A: Yes. He hits both left and right-handed, which is rare for a catcher.
Q7: How old is Cal Raleigh?
A: As of July 2024, he is 27 years old.
