Seattle Mariners: Cal Raleigh's old school spring approach

Monday in Mesa against the A’s, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hit his second home run of the spring.

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A majestic moonshot to right, it was a no-doubter. It was also perhaps the reward for a half day off not taken the previous day.

On Sunday, the Mariners played a game in Goodyear against the Reds, and Raleigh was not on the travel roster. On such days, players staying back in Peoria will still have work to do be it in the weight room, the batting cages or bullpens. But for most, their “work” will finish well before the work of those who traveled.

That was not the case for Raleigh on Sunday, however.

It was a surprising sight to see Raleigh come in from a back field in full uniform, hours after the bus for the away game departed the complex, carrying a full equipment bag, his jersey sweat soaked. When asked what he had been doing, he answered, “Just having some fun.” When pressed further, he said he got six at-bats in two minor league games.

They are extra at-bats that are always available but often not taken in this day and age, but Raleigh went old school, doing something Edgar Martinez often did, taking at-bats in the multiple minor league games that take place on the organizational home days. For Raleigh, it wasn’t enough that he already led the team in plate appearances this spring. He felt he could benefit from more.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson, who has worked with Raleigh since shortly after he was selected in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft by Seattle, was not surprised.

“He’s a consummate worker as he’s always been,” Wilson said. “I think the thing that’s most impressive is that he is a guy that will continue to push. He’s going to continue to push himself, to get better and continue to go from here. That’s pretty, pretty special on a player, and you know that’s what we’ve seen from Cal ever since he was signed in ’18.”

Wilson noted that with the workload Raleigh carries and the responsibility he takes on, there have been times they have to hold him back instead of pushing him. There is no question Raleigh goes above and beyond, but he has demonstrated he can handle everything that is thrown at him and more. How he does it, that’s a tougher question.

“I don’t know,” Wilson said. “I think the ballpark is his big priority. That’s where his focus is. And he’s done a really good job with a lot of outside stuff. When you have an accolade like a Platinum Glove, you’re going to have that. He’s a guy who cares. He understands what it means to be a professional baseball player and he wants to use that in a positive direction.”

One of Wilson’s aims this spring has been get his regulars more at-bats than they normally get before the season begins, and that has been done mostly in games and live batting practices. Better the hitters lock in and get that feel before the season begins than in the first few weeks.

“I think he’s ready,” Wilson said. “Here’s a guy, he catches a lot as we know and he loves to get his work in. I think there’s an element of feeling confident that you’ve put the work in and I think he’s at that point where he’s getting ready to go.”

Notes

• The Mariners dropped their game 8-7 to the A’s in Mesa, but there were plenty of positives beyond the Raleigh home run.

Luke Raley who was originally in the lineup at first base but moved to center field when an under-the-weather Julio Rodríguez was scratched from the lineup, made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall and went 2 for 3 at the plate with two doubles.

“I’m just trying to feel locked in at the plate and just get reps everywhere I can,” Raley said. “I feel pretty good. I think there is still some room to grow, getting the timing right, but the swing feels really good.”

Jorge Polanco got a number of opportunities at third base, including a ball he had to run in on and one that forced him to make a throw from the bag. He looked good on both plays.

• The Mariners are back at home Tuesday where they will host the Brewers. Bryan Woo to make the start with Andrés Muñoz, Trent Thornton, Tayler Saucedo, Carlos Vargas and Casey Legumina scheduled to follow on the mound.

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