Cal Raleigh adjusting to the attention from his home run success

New Faces in Home Run Race This Season

This year, the competition for home runs has seen some fresh contenders stepping up.

Mariners catcher Callowry has unexpectedly captured attention, leading the league with 36 home runs just before the All-Star break.

This impressive total sets a new record for the Mariners franchise before the All-Star Game, surpassing Ken Griffey Jr.’s previous record of 35, achieved back in 1998.

His rapid ascent into the spotlight has turned Laurie into a notable figure in MLB circles, though he admits it’s not entirely to his liking.

“I mean, I don’t necessarily enjoy it, but it’s fine,” Laurie mentioned ahead of a game against the Yankees on Wednesday. “You know that means you’re doing something good and you’re doing the right thing… I’m very fortunate to be there.”

Laurie’s current pace suggests he could reach 64 homers this season. The American League record of 62 was set by Aaron Judge in 2022, and Judge, currently on Laurie’s heels with 34 home runs, remains a significant competitor in the home run race.

While Laurie doesn’t often discuss Judge directly, he has taken inspiration from one of Judge’s habits.

“I use his tall socks,” Laurie revealed. “They’re really good socks, so I made sure to let him know last night. They’re amazing.”

Interestingly, Laurie has made several improvements this season that could be contributing to his success at the plate.

He’s been a reliable hitter, maintaining over 27 home runs in each of his four full MLB seasons. However, he faced challenges with strikeouts and swing rates. Last year, his strikeout rate hit 28%, while his swinging rate reached 32.7%.