Until the Home Run Derby actually starts, it's easy to forget how important the pitcher is to a hitter's chances of winning.
While all pitchers are effectively trying to just throw batting practice, some struggle to place the ball exactly where the derby competitor wants it. Others know exactly what the hitter wants and put him in position to succeed.
In the first half of the season, Mariners star Cal Raleigh often made his at-bats look like batting practice, coming within one home run of Barry Bonds' record for the most before the All-Star break. Can he keep it up in the Home Run Derby?
Here's what you need to know about who is pitching to MLB's home run leader on Monday.
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Who is pitching to Cal Raleigh in the Home Run Derby?
Raleigh chose his father, Todd, to pitch to him in the Home Run Derby. It's started to become more common for derby participants to choose either their father or someone in their family to pitch to them, but it's a high-risk, high-reward scenario.
In theory, a hitter's father should know how to throw batting practice to him better than anyone — but they are often not professionals and don't do it on a daily basis like some team staffers do.
The father-son duo practiced before the Mariners played the Royals last week, and Todd said there was still work to be done to get on the same page. "I know we've just got to find that good rhythm, not be too quick," the elder Raleigh told MLB.com. "I know he doesn't like to be rushed, but obviously there's a little bit of a rush in this."
Here's more to know about Todd Raleigh and his own baseball career.
MORE: Complete list of Home Run Derby pitchers
Who is Todd Raleigh?
Todd Raleigh, originally from Vermont, spent two decades as a college baseball coach after playing at Western Carolina.
Todd Raleigh coaching history
Raleigh spent two decades as a college baseball coach. He spent eight years with five different programs as an assistant from 1992 through 1999 before earning the head coaching job at his alma mater, Western Carolina, in 2000. Raleigh reached the NCAA Tournament twice with the Catamounts before making the jump to Tennessee, where he led the Volunteers for four seasons from 2008-11.
Raleigh chose not to continue coaching after his time with Tennessee ended, instead returning to family life and helping Cal develop as a player after failing to make his high school varsity team. That decision paid off in a major way, as Raleigh has emerged as one of baseball's best all-around catchers and could become the first catcher to hit 50 home runs in a season.
That choice will culminate in the ultimate father-son moment on Monday in Atlanta, when one Raleigh throws to another with the world watching.
MORE: Meet the 2025 Home Run Derby participants
Why Cal Raleigh chose his father
Many Home Run Derby participants choose to have their father pitch to them, but not all fathers have as deep of a baseball background as Todd Raleigh does. Todd played baseball at the collegiate level, coached for two decades and worked closely with Cal in high school to turn him into a legitimate prospect.
The derby will be a full family affair for the Raleighs, as Cal also chose his 15-year-old brother, Todd Jr., to catch.
"To be able to be there with him on the field and have [Todd Jr.] involved, I mean, it's kind of like one of those Hallmark moments," the elder Raleigh said after he was chosen by his son.
MORE: Number of rounds, time limits and other rules and formatting for Home Run Derby
Previous father-son combos in the Home Run Derby
Raleigh isn't the first player to choose his father as his Home Run Derby pitcher. Bryce Harper won the derby in 2018 with his dad, Ron, pitching to him, while Robinson Cano won in 2011 with his dad, Jose, on the mound. Adley Rutschman, meanwhile, had his dad pitch in the 2023 Home Run Derby.
Harper's father went viral for his physique at the 2018 Home Run Derby, shocking viewers.
Bryce Harper immediately hands the Home Run Derby hardware off to his dad/pitcher, who does not skip arm day pic.twitter.com/IASnbneVTA
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) July 17, 2018
Raleigh will try to become the third player to win the Home Run Derby with his father on the mound.