Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh etched his name into the history books, becoming the first catcher to ever win Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby. In front of a packed house at Atlanta’s Truist Park, Raleigh outslugged Tampa Bay Rays phenom Junior Caminero in the final round, launching 18 home runs to Caminero’s 15 in a dramatic finish.
Raleigh, nicknamed “Big Dumper,” entered the contest already leading the majors in home runs this season and showed no signs of slowing down. The switch-hitting slugger showcased both power and endurance across all three rounds, including a thrilling tiebreaker win in the opening round over Oakland’s Brent Rooker. Both had hit 17 homers in regulation, but Raleigh advanced thanks to the distance of his longest homer, a towering 470-foot blast.
In the semifinal, Raleigh faced off against Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, who had earlier electrified fans with a 513-foot monster shot — the longest of the night. However, Cruz couldn’t keep pace, finishing with 13 home runs to Raleigh’s 19. Caminero, just 22 years old and one of baseball’s brightest young talents, advanced to the final by narrowly defeating Byron Buxton in a low-scoring 8–7 semifinal battle.
The final round offered a compelling contrast: the experienced, breakout slugger Raleigh against the up-and-coming Caminero, who was competing in his first-ever Derby. Caminero gave it everything he had, hitting 15 home runs in the final round, but Raleigh’s consistent rhythm and veteran poise helped him edge ahead with 18, securing the title and setting off celebrations in the dugout.
Raleigh’s victory was historic in more ways than one. Not only did he become the first catcher to win the Derby, but he also became the first switch-hitter to do so. With his dad pitching and his brother catching, it truly capped off a first half of the season in which he’s already leading the league in home runs and slugging percentage, reinforcing his emergence as one of the game’s top power hitters.
As for Caminero, the young infielder’s performance turned plenty of heads. Representing the Tampa Bay Rays, he showed poise beyond his years and power to match some of the league’s best. His second-place finish signals a bright future and offers a preview of what could become a long Derby career.
With big names, monster blasts, and a historic finish, the 2025 Home Run Derby delivered in every way. But above all, it will be remembered as the night Cal Raleigh broke barriers and claimed the crown for catchers everywhere.
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