Mariners' Raleigh joins Team USA for 2026 World Baseball Classic

The world's best catcher is ready to suit up for his country.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh committed to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, adding yet another star to what should be a stacked American roster.

"It's like every kid's dream, right?" Raleigh said Monday on MLB Network while sitting alongside Team USA manager and MLB Network broadcaster Mark DeRosa. "You grow up watching (the movie) 'Miracle' and the whole thing, and you got USA across your chest. It's like a dream, getting to play for your country. ... What a special chance."

The native of Cullowhee, North Carolina, added that he's "gonna be recruiting hard" to get other American stars on board for the World Baseball Classic.

Raleigh is in the midst of a remarkable 2025 season. The 28-year-old switch-hitter is slashing .259/.376/.634 with an MLB-best 38 home runs and 82 RBIs over 94 games. Already holding the record for pre-break homers by a primary catcher, Raleigh is just 10 long balls shy of tying Salvador Perez's single-season positional record.

"Big Dumper" is no slouch defensively, either. A Gold Glove winner in 2024, Raleigh's caught 15 runners stealing this campaign and has accrued three catcher framing runs behind the plate.

Raleigh joins Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, who was named team captain in April, as the early American commits to the 2026 team.

The United States has reached the finals in each of the last two World Baseball Classics, winning the 2017 tournament before losing a memorable 2023 final to Japan.

The 2026 WBC will be contested in March 2026, with Team USA to compete in Pool B alongside Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, and Brazil in round-robin play at Houston's Daikin Park.