Throughout the season, the CBS Sports MLB experts will bring you a weekly Batting Around roundtable breaking down pretty much anything. The latest news, a historical question, thoughts about the future of baseball,

With more homers before the All-Star break than any catcher or switch-hitter has ever hit before, Cal Raleigh has started the 2025 season on a historic, MVP-caliber pace.

For every big swing and eye-popping home run, Cal Raleigh is building his case for something bigger. Chants of “M-V-P! M-V-P!” are growing louder in the Emerald City for Seattle’s 28-year-old catcher as opposing spectators look away, grit their teeth, and wait for Big Dumper to strike.