Who will win the title instead, though, is difficult to predict. No other NL hitter held a .300 batting average at the All-Star break. Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan were tied for second in the league in average with a .297 mark.

The Seattle catcher is on a historic pace, hitting 38 home runs before the All-Star break. Some changes he made in the minor leagues have fueled his tear.

The first half of the MLB season did not disappoint thanks to Cal Raleigh, Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and others. But this is where the real fun begins.

USA Baseball announced the decision before Cal Raleigh participated in the All-Star Home Run Derby. The 28-year-old entered the All-Star break leading the major leagues with 38 homers and 82 RBIs.

Hours later, Stephanie was standing on the infield grass at Truist Park as her son, Major League Baseball’s home run leader and the unlikely face of this All-Star Week, celebrated an emphatic victory in the 2025 Home Run Derby.

Despite Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani still being at the top of their game, here is why Cal Raleigh may have a leg up on their individual seasons.

Almost immediately, Justin Turner could sense the bubbling frustration from Cal Raleigh. A veteran slugger with a World Series ring and an NL Championship Series MVP on his résumé, Turner arrived in Seattle just before the trade deadline in July 2024 and quickly began to form a connection with the Mariners catcher.

Raleigh's pursuit of history is incredible to watch, and he may pull the Mariners to the playoffs this season, but it's the impact he's having on the next generation of Seattle Mariners fans that's truly inspiring.