Mariners can’t just ignore that Cal Raleigh didn’t only slump at the plate in 2026

Last year, Cal Raleigh saw a defensive regression in addition to taking a big step back at the plate.

By Jason Wang · SoDo MoJo

Published: Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 1:00 PM

Key Things to Know

Jason Wang argues Cal Raleigh suffered a major defensive decline alongside his offensive slump in 2026.
Raleigh recorded -6 Defensive Runs Saved, the lowest mark among catchers with at least 700 innings.
The catcher posted a 91 OPS+ and batted .182 during his difficult 2026 campaign.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Sodo Mojo's Jason Wang argues that Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh experienced a significant defensive decline alongside his offensive struggles during the 2026 season. After winning a Platinum Glove in 2024, Raleigh registered -6 Defensive Runs Saved in 2026, marking the lowest figure among MLB catchers with over 700 innings.

The writer notes that Raleigh struggled with pitch framing and controlling basepaths, posting a 2.00-second pop time and a 4.24 catcher ERA. Wang suggests an injury likely affected his overall performance, expressing hope that improved health could spark a rebound.

Read the full article on SoDo MoJo

Mariners can’t just ignore that Cal Raleigh didn’t only slump at the plate in 2026

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