Cullowhee native and Smoky Mountain High School graduate Cal Raleigh was called up to the Seattle Mariners Major League Baseball Club over the weekend. He started Sunday’s game with the Angles at the catcher position and batted sixth. He was left on base twice and struck out twice. The All-Star break likely gave him a couple of next days to become more acquainted with the Mariner’s pitching staff. At Tacoma, the three A affiliate of Seattle he was hitting .320 with a .377 on base percentage and .608 slugging percentage. He had 21 doubles , 36 rbi, and threw out 31% of the opponents who tried to steal a base . Raleigh is a switch hitter.
His number 10 was retired by the Western Region division of American Legion Baseball, he earned numerous recognitions while at Florida State, he was a first round draft pick by Seattle. He is a nephew of former Swain High School Football Coach Boyce Deitz, His father Todd Raleigh coached baseball both at WCU and Tennessee.