If you haven’t been watching the box scores lately, you’ve missed a weird, historic shift in how the long ball is being hit. Honestly, the 2025 season just wrapped up its regular schedule, and the leaderboard looks like something out of a fever dream. We spent years thinking only the hulking outfielders or the designated hitters could clear the fences 50 times a year.
Then came a catcher.
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The conversation around mlb home run leaders current is usually dominated by Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani. That makes sense. They’re the faces of the league. But as of January 2026, we are looking back at a completed 2025 regular season where a guy wearing a chest protector for 140 games a year absolutely broke the system.
The Big Dumper’s Historic Reign
Cal Raleigh. That’s the name.
The Mariners’ backstop, affectionately known as "Big Dumper," finished the 2025 season with 60 home runs. Think about that for a second. He didn't just lead the American League; he led all of Major League Baseball. He became the only player in the 60-homer club this year, which is basically impossible for a catcher given the physical toll of the position.
He’s now the first switch-hitting catcher to ever hit 60. Most experts, like the stat-heads over at Elias Sports Bureau, were scrambling for historical comps all September.
How the 2025 Leaderboard Shook Out
- Cal Raleigh (SEA): 60
- Kyle Schwarber (PHI): 56
- Shohei Ohtani (LAD): 55
- Aaron Judge (NYY): 53
- Eugenio Suárez (SEA): 49
It’s kinda wild to see Judge at fourth, isn't it? He still had a monstrous year with 53, but he wasn't the "Home Run King" this time around. Instead, it was a year of the "unexpected power surge."
Why Shohei Ohtani’s 55 is Actually Scarier
We’ve gotten so used to Ohtani doing the impossible that we almost ignore it. He hit 55 homers in 2025. That broke his own Dodgers franchise record. But here is the thing people forget: he did this while returning to the mound.
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He wasn’t just a DH.
Ohtani posted a 2.87 ERA over 47 innings. While he wasn't a full-time starter the whole way through as he managed his recovery, the fact that he was throwing 99 mph fastballs in between hitting 450-foot bombs is just... well, it’s Ohtani. He finished with a 1.014 OPS. If Raleigh hadn't gone nuclear, Ohtani would be the only story we’re talking about.
The Judge Factor and the Yankees' Power
Aaron Judge is still the most feared hitter in the game. Period. He walked 124 times this year because pitchers are literally terrified of him. Even with the "down" year in the HR column (relative to his 62-homer pace), he led the league in WAR (10.1) and OPS+ (215).
Basically, Judge was 115% better than the average MLB hitter.
The Yankees as a team led the league with 274 home runs. They are a factory for exit velocity. When you have Juan Soto hitting 43 and Trent Grisham chipping in 34, it creates a "lineup of death" that forces pitchers to eventually give Judge something to hit. He just didn't get as many "mistake" pitches as Raleigh did this summer.
The Kids Are Alright: Junior Caminero and Nick Kurtz
If you’re looking for who might lead the mlb home run leaders current lists in 2026 and 2027, look at Tampa Bay and Sacramento.
Junior Caminero is a revelation. He’s 22 years old and just casually slapped 45 home runs for the Rays. He hits the ball so hard it sounds different coming off the bat—pure violence. Then there’s Nick Kurtz for the Athletics. The rookie hit 36 home runs in only 117 games. If he had played a full 162, we’re probably looking at a 50-homer rookie season.
Why Home Run Totals Are Spiking Again
- The "Pull" Revolution: Hitters like Kyle Schwarber (56 HR) have mastered the art of the extreme pull angle. They don't care about the shift anymore; they just go over it.
- Launch Angle Consistency: Technology like Blast Motion and Statcast has made it so even "average" hitters can optimize their swing path.
- Pitcher Velocity: It sounds counterintuitive, but harder fastballs equal harder exit velocity. If you can time a 100 mph heater, it's going further than an 88 mph slider.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Leaders
The biggest misconception is that the leader is always the "best" hitter. Take Eugenio Suárez, who finished 5th with 49 home runs. He’s great, but he also struck out nearly 200 times.
There’s a trade-off.
Raleigh and Schwarber are fine with striking out if it means the ball eventually leaves the yard. Meanwhile, guys like Juan Soto (43 HR) are arguably "better" hitters because they provide the power without the massive holes in their swing. Soto also had a 30-30 season this year, which is nuts for a guy who was once considered "slow."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're tracking these stats for fantasy or just to be the smartest person at the bar, keep an eye on these specific trends heading into the 2026 spring training:
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Watch the Park Factors: Cal Raleigh benefited from a Mariners team that finally figured out how to hit in T-Mobile Park, but notice how the Athletics' move to Sacramento (a smaller Triple-A sized park) inflated Nick Kurtz's numbers. If the A's stay there, Kurtz is a lock for 40+ next year.
Injury History vs. Power: Byron Buxton finally played 126 games and hit 35 homers. The power is always there for some guys; the health isn't. When you see a "current leader" who has a history of hamstring issues, take the under for the following month.
The Catcher Ceiling: Don't expect Raleigh to hit 60 again. The wear and tear on his knees is historic. No catcher in the history of the sport has ever put up back-to-back seasons like this. He’s a sell-high candidate in any dynasty league.
The 2025 season proved that the "power meta" in baseball isn't just about size—it's about the specific marriage of swing path and opportunity. Whether it’s Judge’s height or Ohtani’s sheer alien talent, the leaderboard is more diverse than it’s been in decades.
Check the Statcast "Barrels" leaderboard. A "barrel" is a ball hit with an exit velocity of at least 98 mph and a launch angle between 26 and 30 degrees. This is the best predictor of future home runs. Aaron Judge led the league in Barrels per Plate Appearance again in 2025, which suggests his "drop" to 53 homers was more about bad luck and walks than a loss of power. Look for him to reclaim the top spot early in the 2026 campaign.