Cal Raleigh's breakout season has placed him as a top contender in the AL MVP race, currently sitting just behind Aaron Judge in latest polls. The Seattle Mariners catcher is enjoying a stellar performance, boasting a .272 batting average with 33 home runs before the All-Star break, which marks a record for catchers at this point in the season. Raleigh's contributions have been pivotal in keeping the Mariners in the playoff hunt, currently positioned second in the AL West.

This strong showing comes after the Mariners' disappointing prior season, where expectations were low. Raleigh's six-year, $105 million contract is looking like a bargain for a player who not only delivers offensively but also provides elite defense behind the plate. As the season progresses, there's growing optimism that Raleigh can continue this momentum and perhaps even secure the MVP title, reinforcing his status as a dark horse candidate.