7. Cal Raleigh
Minors (A+, AA): 507 plate appearances, .251/.323/.497, 25 homers, 29 doubles, 47 walks, 116 strikeouts
Cal Raleigh has some big shoes to fill, but so far, the Seattle Mariners top catching prospect appears to be capable of following in the footsteps of the last catcher from Florida State to reach the majors.
Obviously, no one – including the Mariners – are expecting Raleigh to be Buster Posey. However, the third round draft pick in the 2018 MLB Draft has already exceeded expectations, rocketing through the system as he has already reached the AA level. Given the Mariners hole behind the plate, it is not outside the realm of possibility that he finds his way to the majors by the end of the coming season.
While most catchers are a work in progress at the plate, that is not the case here. Raleigh shows an advanced approach from both sides of the plate, working all fields and showing considerable power. He does a good job of putting the bat on the ball, while showing a respectable batting eye.
Although his bat was considered to be ahead of his glove, Raleigh has been a surprise behind the plate thus far. He has displayed an advanced feel for pitch framing, while earning accolades for his ability to call a game. While he may never have the strongest arm, he has thrown out 30% of would-be basestealers in the minors, showing that he can control the running game, at least to a degree.
The Seattle Mariners may have their catcher of the future in Cal Raleigh. If he continues to develop behind the plate, he may be a future star.