Analyzing Cal Raleigh's Struggles: What's Wrong with Seattle's Star?

Seattle's Sinking Start

The Seattle Mariners are struggling to find their footing in the 2026 season. With a dismal .184 batting average over their first 13 games, it's quite clear things are off the rails. The franchise-best 2.62 ERA can't cover up the offensive woes. As a result, they sit at the bottom of the standings with a disappointing 4-9 record, recently swept in a series in Texas, scoring just three total runs in three games.

It's frustrating to see key hitters — including Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, Josh Naylor, and Randy Arozarena — combine for a meager .133 average, with only one home run among them. These superstars are supposed to drive the team's success, and their recent performances have left fans scratching their heads.

Cal Raleigh Under the Microscope

Cal Raleigh is under the most scrutiny among the struggling hitters. Fresh off a record-setting 60-home run season, he now sits with a paltry .143 batting average and a whopping 21 strikeouts in just 55 plate appearances. This troubling start has fans worried: How can a player who was the backbone of the lineup last season suddenly fall so short?

Raleigh's journey is not just disappointing; it's perplexing. I took a closer look at all 55 of his plate appearances, scrutinizing each pitch he faced. I must admit, watching this play out felt like enduring long stretches of disappointing baseball — reminiscent of the darker days in Mariners history, such as eating a lukewarm hot dog at the Kingdome.

Breaking Down Raleigh's At-Bats

During my analysis, several key at-bats stood out:

• PA No. 2 (Game 1): Struck out swinging on an 0-2 changeup from Cleveland's Tanner Bibee, missing a fastball right down the middle on the first pitch. This series of poor decisions set the tone for the trend of taking hittable pitches.
• PA No. 4 (Game 1): Despite being ahead 2-0 in the count, Raleigh swung over a pivotal slider and then struck out looking on a pitch he should have challenged.
• PA No. 1 (Game 2): An eight-pitch at-bat resulted in another strikeout, where Raleigh struggled against a cutter that lacked movement.
• PA No. 4 (Game 2): This at-bat ended with a fourth strikeout in just two games, increasing the sense of urgency for change.

The dark shadows of his previous successes haunt his current failings. Just last season, he excelled against left-handed pitching, boasting a .281 average with 22 homers in 185 at-bats. Now, he appears overmatched, with only a minor adjustment needed to regain his form. Raleigh needs to recapture that same decisive aggressive swing that made him a beast at the plate.

Understanding What Goes Wrong

This bleak start isn't purely down to bad luck; these players are simply not producing. Raleigh's swing-and-miss rate sky-rocketed from 25.2% last year to an alarming 50%. If a hitter can't catch up to fastballs, they'll always find themselves in the slump's grips.

The Mariners, collectively, have dropped their hard-hit rate from 42.8% in 2025 (4th in MLB) to a staggering 34.2% this season (29th in MLB). The contrast is stark and worrisome. For Raleigh, specifically, his hard-hit rate plummeted from 49.6% to just 21.4% this season.

Furthermore, early-season struggles are nothing new. Observing players like Javier Baez and even Bryce Harper showed us that initial struggle can lead to redemption in time. But with the Mariners missing playoffs due to one win in previous seasons, this slow start could be more detrimental than an average struggle.

What Lies Ahead for the Mariners?

As the Mariners gear up for a critical divisional matchup against the Houston Astros, the pressure mounts. Will they find their footing or continue to flounder? The path forward is critical not just for season morale but a franchise on the edge of something grand. Seattle needs to regain its identity, starting with its most talented hitters.

Let's reflect. While we analyze the falling performances, it's vital to remember the players' histories and comfort with the pressures of the game. The difference in April and its effects on the playoffs is drastic. A resurgence looms for Raleigh and the Mariners—it's time to define ourselves on the field and eliminate questions of whether we can weather the storm ahead.