Cal Raleigh’s WBC Performance and Future Outlook: A Deep Dive
The World Baseball Classic semifinal between Team USA and the Dominican Republic was brimming with compelling storylines. Among them was the potential for an interesting dynamic between Cal Raleigh and his Seattle Mariners teammate, Julio Rodríguez. Would Raleigh get the nod over Rodríguez? Ultimately, fans were left wondering as Will Smith was chosen as Team USA’s starting catcher, leaving the ‘Handshakegate’ subplot unresolved.
Swing Concerns and WBC Performance
While the decision to start Smith wasn’t solely based on Raleigh’s performance, concerns about Raleigh’s swing were certainly a factor. During the sixth inning of Team USA’s 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic, Fox Sports announcer Joe Davis revealed that manager Mark DeRosa acknowledged Raleigh was facing some challenges at the plate.
“Raleigh is hitless so far and said his swing is just not in a great place,” Davis stated. “It often isn’t at this time of year. If they get to the championship game, it is then going to be who has played best to that point that Mark DeRosa was going to choose to start.”
The statistics support this assessment. Raleigh went hitless in nine at-bats during Team USA’s run, although he did manage to draw four walks and score four runs. This isn’t necessarily unusual for spring baseball, but it understandably raised eyebrows among Mariners fans.
Perspective: A Look Back and Ahead
It’s crucial to maintain perspective. Raleigh batted just .186 last spring but went on to have a phenomenal season, becoming only the seventh player in Major League history to hit 60 home runs. His 2025 season was exceptional, boasting a swing similarity score of 96.3% – the best among qualifying switch-hitters, according to Foolish Baseball.
Such a peak performance was always likely to be difficult to replicate. Regression to the mean is a natural phenomenon, and even a slight step back shouldn’t be viewed as a catastrophe. The question isn’t if Raleigh will regress, but how much.
Optimism and Future Projections
Despite the current concerns, there’s reason for optimism. Raleigh is known for his explosive power, and projections still anticipate him hitting around 40 home runs this season. A minor adjustment to his swing, coupled with a bit of luck, could quickly get him back on track. He nearly connected on a long foul ball during the WBC quarterfinals, demonstrating his potential.
Furthermore, Raleigh has never been the most consistent hitter in terms of contact. His career-high batting average of .247 last year underscores this point. His value lies in his ability to make impactful contact when he does connect.
Ultimately, the best way to alleviate any concerns will be to see positive results on the field. Mariners fans, known for their cautious optimism, will be eagerly awaiting a return to form. Raleigh still has time to refine his swing during spring training in Peoria.
Resources: For more information on baseball statistics and analysis, visit MLB.com and Baseball-Reference.com.
