The best time in all of sports has officially arrived: the summer of baseball. What does that mean exactly? Every other league takes a backseat while Major League Baseball drives through the warm months as the only professional sport with competitive games. And with that comes one of the game’s most beloved traditions: the MLB All-Star Game.
Each year, fans vote for who they think deserves to start—and often, that includes names from their favorite teams, or simply the biggest stars in the sport. But as we’ve seen in years past, fan voting can be… complicated. Just ask 2021 Bryce Harper, who posted a .282 average with 15 homers and a .899 OPS by midseason and still didn’t make the cut.
In this series, we’ll go position by position, breaking down the players most deserving of All-Star nods—along with a few dark horse names who might sneak in if the stars align. We’ll start with the most likely starting catchers in each league for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.
2025 MLB All-Star Starter Picks: Catcher
American League Catcher: Cal Raleigh
At most positions, there’s a legitimate debate over who should start. At catcher in the AL? Not so much.
Meet Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners’ slugging backstop—affectionately known as “Big Dumper.” While the nickname might be what fans remember first, it’s his bat that’s making history. Given a six-year extension before the start of the season, Raleigh is currently on pace for one of the best offensive seasons by a catcher in decades, and it’s only early June. He leads all catchers—and the entire league—in home runs, flexing power that’s nearly unheard of at his position.
Cal Raleigh is on pace for SIXTY-SIX home runs. pic.twitter.com/w84L6idNup
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 9, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Alejandro Kirk has been solid for the Toronto Blue Jays, batting .309 and continuing his trend of consistent contact and on-base ability. But this is Cal Raleigh’s spot. His raw power brings back memories of Johnny Bench, and he’s overtaken Salvador Perez as the top slugging catcher in the game. He’s not just the best catcher in the AL—he’s one of the most powerful hitters in all of baseball.
Barring something dramatic, Raleigh will be in Atlanta on July 15, starting behind the plate for the American League.
National League Catcher: Will Smith
Same story, different league. The NL catcher race isn’t much of a race at all.
Will Smith of the Dodgers has dominated the position this year. Through 52 games, he’s batting .322 with a .919 OPS, leading all National League catchers by a wide margin. The next closest? Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies, who’s had a breakout season himself, but his .810 OPS still trails Smith by over 100 points.
Will Smith gives the @Dodgers the lead right back! pic.twitter.com/42J7HpILdU
— MLB (@MLB) June 10, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Smith also leads in on-base percentage (.420) and has been a key piece for one of the league’s top offenses. He’ll be one of several Dodgers suiting up for All-Star Weekend, and there’s no question he’s earned it.
Photo Credit: © Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The post 2025 MLB All-Star Frontrunners: Catcher Edition appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.