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Luke Raley
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Lucas John Raley (born September 19, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays.

Key Information

Amateur career

[edit]

Raley graduated from Highland High School in Medina, Ohio.[1] He was named to the Ohio All-State Baseball Team as a senior.[2] After going undrafted out of high school, he enrolled at Lake Erie College, where he played college baseball. In 2014, he briefly played collegiate summer baseball for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3] As a junior at Lake Erie, he hit .424 with 12 home runs, 39 RBIs, and a .528 on-base percentage in 47 games.[4] After his junior year, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2016 MLB draft,[5] and he signed for $150,000.[6]

Professional career

[edit]

Los Angeles Dodgers

[edit]

After signing, Raley was assigned to the Arizona League Dodgers for one week, where he hit .625 in five games. He was promoted to the Ogden Raptors on June 27. After batting .417 in five games in one week with Ogden, he was promoted again to the Great Lakes Loons on July 7. He finished 2016 with Great Lakes batting .245[7] with two home runs and 17 RBIs in 56 games. Raley was promoted again to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes for the 2017 season, slashing .295/.375/.473 with 14 home runs and 62 RBIs in 123 games.[8] He was a California League All-Star that season.[9] He began 2018 with the Tulsa Drillers[10] and was selected to the Texas League All-Star Game.[11]

Minnesota Twins

[edit]

On July 31, 2018, Raley was traded to the Minnesota Twins, with prospects Devin Smeltzer and Logan Forsythe, for former All-Star Brian Dozier.[12] Raley played for the Chattanooga Lookouts for the remainder of 2018. In 120 Double-A games with Tulsa and Chattanooga, he hit .275 with 20 home runs and 69 RBIs.[13] He spent 2019 with the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings,[14] playing in only 33 games due to a left ankle injury. He was productive when he could play, hitting .302/.362/.516 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs.[15] He played for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League after the 2019 season.[16] Raley was added to the Twins 40-man roster on November 20.[17]

Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint)

[edit]

On February 10, 2020, the Twins traded Raley, Brusdar Graterol, and the 66th pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft to the Dodgers for Kenta Maeda, Jaír Camargo, and cash considerations.[18] Raley did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he did play at the Dodgers alternate training site.[19]

On April 9, 2021, Raley was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[20] He made his MLB debut that night as a defensive replacement in right field in the eighth inning. In his first at-bat, he grounded out to first base against Sam Clay of the Washington Nationals.[21] His first career hit came on April 14, an opposite-field double against Daniel Bard of the Colorado Rockies.[22][23] On April 16, Raley hit his first career home run off of a slider from Dan Altavilla of the San Diego Padres.[24][25] He appeared in 33 games for the Dodgers during the season, hitting .182/ .250/.288 with two home runs and four RBI, and 25 strikeouts in 66 at bats.[26] His second MLB home run was the longest for the Dodgers that season, traveling 472 feet at Coors Field on September 22.[27] He was called up by the Dodgers seven different times during 2021.[19] He also appeared in 72 games for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, hitting .294 with 19 homers and 69 RBI.[28] He struck out in his lone at-bat in the Wild Card Game, his first postseason appearance.[26]

Tampa Bay Rays

[edit]

On March 18, 2022, Raley was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Tanner Dodson.[29] Raley began the 2022 season with the Durham Bulls, where he batted .299/.374/.575 with 7 home runs and 25 RBIs in 24 games.[8] He was promoted to the major league roster on June 21, 2022, following injuries to Kevin Kiermaier and Manuel Margot.[30] Raley finished the year playing in 22 games, hitting .197/.306/.279 with one home run and 4 RBIs and 24 strikeouts in 64 at bats.

In 2023, Raley made the major league team out of Spring Training, in part because he was out of minor league options. Raley played regularly for the Rays, slashing .249/.333/.490 with 19 home runs and 49 RBIs in 118 games[26] before suffering an injury on a collision during batting practice on September 16 that limited him to just one more at bat for the season.[31] One of his home runs was an inside-the-park shot on August 16 that bounced off the walls of Oracle Park in San Francisco several times before rolling away from fielders.[32][33] The Rays avoided having Raley face left-handed pitchers, though he hit .268 in his 41 at bats against lefties, albeit with worse patience and power.[34]

Seattle Mariners

[edit]

On January 5, 2024, the Rays traded Raley to the Seattle Mariners for José Caballero.[35] Raley slashed .243/.320/.463 with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs in 137 games for the Mariners in 2024. He fared worse against lefties, batting .182 with a .570 OPS in 82 plate appearances.[36]

On April 30, 2025, Raley was placed on the injured list due to a right oblique strain, and was expected to miss at least six weeks.[37] He was activated from the injured list on June 20.[38] He appeared in 73 games for Seattle and hit .202 with four home runs and 19 RBIs.[39]

Personal life

[edit]

Raley is married to Katie Mihalik. She gave birth to their first child in February 2025.[40]

References

[edit]
[edit]

Grokipedia

Luke Raley

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from Grokipedia
Luke Raley (born Lucas John Raley; September 19, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder and first baseman for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB).[1][2] Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and weighing 235 pounds (107 kg), he bats left-handed and throws right-handed.[2] Raley was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round, 221st overall, of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Lake Erie College, where he had a standout college career, hitting .379 with 25 home runs over three seasons and earning induction into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.[1][3] He made his MLB debut with the Dodgers on April 9, 2021, after progressing through their minor league system.[1][2] Raley's professional career has involved several team changes that shaped his path to regular playing time. Following his draft, he spent time in the Dodgers' farm system before being traded to the Minnesota Twins on July 31, 2018, as part of the deal sending second baseman Brian Dozier to Los Angeles, along with Logan Forsythe and Devin Smeltzer.[4][2] He was traded back to the Dodgers on February 10, 2020, along with prospect Brusdar Graterol, as part of the four-team deal acquiring Mookie Betts, in exchange for pitcher Kenta Maeda and a 2020 competitive balance round B draft pick.[5][2] After an MLB stint with the Dodgers in 2021, where he appeared in 33 games, Raley was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on March 18, 2022, for minor league pitcher Tanner Dodson.[6][7] With the Rays, Raley established himself as a power-hitting corner outfielder, posting a breakout 2023 season in which he played 118 games, batted .249, hit 19 home runs, drove in 49 runs, and recorded a 2.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).[2] On January 5, 2024, during his honeymoon, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for infielder José Caballero, marking his third MLB organization.[8][9] In his first full season with Seattle in 2024, Raley appeared in 137 games, slashing .243/.304/.451 with 22 home runs, 58 RBIs, and a career-high 3.2 WAR, contributing significantly to the Mariners' lineup with his combination of power and speed (11 stolen bases).[2] As of the 2025 season, Raley remains a key versatile contributor for the Mariners, having played 73 games with a .202 batting average, 4 home runs, and 19 RBIs in the 2025 season.[1] Throughout his MLB career to date, spanning 365 games, he has compiled a .232 batting average, 48 home runs, 134 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases.[1][2]

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Luke Raley was born on September 19, 1994, in Hinckley, Ohio.[10] He grew up in Hinckley Township alongside his family, which included his parents, Doug and Beth Raley, and his older brother, Brad.[11] Raley's father, Doug, owned and operated Raley's Tree Farms in Hinckley Township, while his mother, Beth, worked as an information technology analyst for First Energy.[11] His brother Brad also pursued baseball during his youth and later joined their father in managing the family business.[12] Baseball held a prominent place in the Raley family from an early age, with Doug having played the sport at Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State University.[13] This familial involvement fostered Raley's initial interest in the game, shaping his upbringing in the close-knit community of Hinckley Township.[11]

High school career

Luke Raley attended Highland High School in Medina, Ohio, where he played baseball for the Highland Hornets as a multi-position athlete, primarily serving as a left-handed hitting first baseman and corner outfielder with notable power and speed.[14][15] As a standout in the local community, Raley developed foundational skills in outfield play and hitting during his tenure, earning recognition as team captain and contributing to the team's success in the Suburban League.[15][14] During his sophomore year in 2011, Raley batted .404, helping build the Hornets' momentum. In 2012, as a junior, he hit .474 with 37 RBIs, playing a key role in the team's Suburban League championship—their first since 1989. His senior season in 2013 was particularly dominant, as he posted a .568 batting average, .650 on-base percentage, eight home runs, 12 doubles, seven triples, 50 RBIs, 40 runs, and 26 stolen bases over 30 games, leading the Hornets to a 21-9 record.[14][15] Over his three-year varsity career, Raley maintained a .494 batting average with 122 hits, 103 RBIs, 84 runs, and 30 doubles.[14] Raley's performance earned him selection to the 2013 All-Ohio Baseball Team by the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association, as well as a spot on the USA Today All-USA Ohio Baseball Team as an outfielder.[16][17][18] He ranked in the top 40 nationally in slugging percentage (1.094) that year and was later named to the Medina Gazette's All-Decade Team for 2010-2019, highlighting his status as one of the top hitters in Medina County history.[15][14] Raley graduated from Highland High School in 2013.[11][1]

College career

Raley enrolled at Lake Erie College, a Division II institution in Painesville, Ohio, where he played college baseball for the Storm from 2014 to 2016 while majoring in special education.[19][20] As a freshman in 2014, Raley batted .353 with seven home runs and earned Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Freshman of the Year and First Team All-GLIAC honors.[3] In his sophomore season of 2015, he hit .351 with four home runs, continuing to develop as a power-hitting outfielder.[21] Raley's junior year in 2016 marked his breakout performance, where he achieved a .424 batting average, .528 on-base percentage, .747 slugging percentage, and 12 home runs—setting school records for batting average and home runs in a season—while driving in 40 runs.[14][21] For these accomplishments, he received third-team All-America honors, All-Region recognition, First Team All-GLIAC, the GLIAC Commissioner's Award, and a nomination for the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award at Division II.[14][3] Over his three-year career, Raley batted .379 with 25 home runs and 101 RBIs, holding 14 school records and establishing himself as one of the top players in Division II baseball.[3] In 2023, he was inducted into the Lake Erie College Athletics Hall of Fame, and his jersey number 20 was retired.[3]

Professional career

Los Angeles Dodgers (first stint)

Raley was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round, 221st overall, of the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft out of Lake Erie College. He signed with the organization for a $147,500 bonus, below the slot value of $187,400 for that pick.[22][23] Following the signing, Raley began his professional career in the Arizona League Dodgers, where he appeared in five games and batted .625 with 10 hits in 16 at-bats. He was quickly promoted to the Rookie-level Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League on June 27, 2016, marking his transition to full-season play. In 2017, Raley advanced to High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League, where he had an impressive campaign, hitting .295 with 14 home runs, 21 doubles, and 62 RBIs over 123 games, earning him a spot as a California League All-Star.[1][1][21] Raley opened the 2018 season at Double-A with the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League, where he batted .275 with 17 home runs and 53 RBIs in 93 games, earning him a selection as a Texas League Mid-Season All-Star, before his time with the organization ended. On July 31, 2018, as part of the trade deadline deal sending second baseman Brian Dozier to the Dodgers, Raley was traded to the Minnesota Twins along with infielder Logan Forsythe and pitcher Devin Smeltzer.[24][25][26]

Minnesota Twins

Raley was acquired by the Minnesota Twins on July 31, 2018, as part of the trade deadline deal that sent second baseman Brian Dozier to the Los Angeles Dodgers; in return, the Twins received infielder Logan Forsythe, outfielder Luke Raley, and left-handed pitcher Devin Smeltzer.[27] Following the trade, Raley, who had spent the first half of the season at Double-A with the Dodgers' Tulsa Drillers, reported to the Twins' Double-A affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts, for the remainder of 2018. In 27 games with Chattanooga, he posted a .276 batting average with 3 home runs and 16 RBIs, contributing to a strong overall Double-A campaign across both organizations where he hit .275 with 20 home runs in 120 games.[21] In 2019, Raley advanced within the Twins' system, beginning the season at Double-A Pensacola before a promotion to Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. His time at Rochester was limited to 33 games due to an ankle injury that required surgery, sidelining him for much of the year; however, in those games, he batted .302 with a .362 on-base percentage, .516 slugging percentage, seven home runs, and 21 RBIs, showcasing his power potential at the higher level.[24][28] Raley's prior development in the Dodgers organization, where he was originally selected in the seventh round of the 2016 MLB Draft, had established him as a promising corner outfielder/first baseman with left-handed power, enhancing his trade value within the Twins' farm system.[21] The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season on June 30, severely impacting Raley's development and limiting his playing time to instructional leagues and team workouts. On February 10, 2020—prior to the season's disruption—Raley was traded back to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the package that sent starting pitcher Kenta Maeda to the Twins; the deal also involved right-handed pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol and the Twins' 67th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.[29]

Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint)

Raley rejoined the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 10, 2020, when the Minnesota Twins traded him back to the organization in exchange for pitcher Brusdar Graterol, marking an emotional return to the team that originally drafted him in 2016. He was added to the Dodgers' 40-man roster shortly thereafter, but the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Raley did not appear in any Major League games that year despite being part of the expanded playoff roster during the shortened season.[21][1] Raley made his Major League debut on April 9, 2021, against the Washington Nationals, entering as a defensive replacement in right field.[2] Over the course of the season, he appeared in 33 games for the Dodgers, primarily in outfield roles, batting .182 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI in 66 at-bats.[2] His limited playing time came in multiple stints with the active roster, often as a late-season call-up.[1] In addition to his Major League exposure, Raley spent significant time in the minors during 2020 and 2021, though 2020 offered no games due to the pandemic. In 2021, he played 72 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he hit 19 home runs and drove in 69 runs while posting a .294 batting average.[30] These performances highlighted his power potential in the upper levels of the farm system. On March 18, 2022, the Dodgers traded Raley to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league pitcher Tanner Dodson, clearing space on the 40-man roster ahead of the season.[31]

Tampa Bay Rays

Raley was acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays from the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 18, 2022, in exchange for minor league pitcher Tanner Dodson.[7][6] He began the season in Triple-A with the Durham Bulls, where he adjusted to the Rays' system by focusing on plate discipline and power development, batting .300 with a .401 on-base percentage, .529 slugging percentage, 14 home runs, and 50 RBI in 63 games.[30][24] Raley made his first major league appearance with the Rays on June 21, 2022, and appeared in 22 games across two stints, primarily in the outfield, hitting .197 with one home run and four RBI.[2] His versatility allowed him to play both left and right field effectively during limited opportunities.[1] In 2023, Raley earned a spot on the Opening Day roster and enjoyed his first full major league season, establishing himself as a regular contributor with a .249 batting average, 19 home runs, and 49 RBI over 118 games.[2][1] This breakout performance highlighted his growth into a power-hitting outfielder for the Rays' lineup. On January 5, 2024, Raley was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for infielder José Caballero.

Seattle Mariners

On January 5, 2024, the Seattle Mariners acquired Raley from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for infielder José Caballero, adding left-handed power and positional flexibility to their lineup.[8][32] In his debut season with the team, Raley appeared in 137 games, batting .243 with 22 home runs—a personal career high—58 runs batted in, and 11 stolen bases, while splitting time between first base and the outfield.[33][34] His power output, building on breakout performances from his Rays tenure, provided a consistent threat against right-handed pitching and contributed to the Mariners' offensive depth.[2] Raley's 2025 campaign was hampered by multiple injuries, limiting him to 73 games where he hit .202 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI.[33][34] He suffered a right oblique strain during batting practice on April 30 and was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to April 28, missing nearly seven weeks before returning on June 20 following a rehab assignment.[35][36] Later, back spasms sidelined him again starting July 30 (retroactive to July 27), with activation from the injured list occurring on August 15 after a brief minor-league stint.[1] On September 4, Raley exited a game against the Rays due to side tightness but avoided further time on the disabled list and resumed playing shortly thereafter.[37][28] During his time with the Mariners, Raley achieved key personal milestones, including surpassing his previous home run total in 2024 and demonstrating versatility across corner infield and outfield positions, drawing comparisons to left-handed power hitters like Kyle Seager for his pull-side production in T-Mobile Park.[2] As of November 2025, Raley remains under contract with the Mariners heading into the 2026 season, with no reported trade activity.[38]

Personal life

Marriage

Luke Raley met Katie Mihalik through social media in the spring of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic that had shut down minor league baseball and prompted increased online interactions.[11] The couple's relationship progressed steadily, leading to Raley's proposal on October 29, 2022, and their wedding on December 29, 2023, in Cleveland, Ohio.[39][40] Mihalik, an Avon Lake, Ohio native, had a standout volleyball career at Cleveland State University from 2014 to 2017, where she played as an outside hitter and earned recognition as Lorain County's 2014 Miss Volleyball during her high school senior year at Avon Lake High School.[41][42] Now a second-grade teacher in Westlake, Ohio, Mihalik has provided steadfast support throughout Raley's professional transitions, including accompanying him during family visits amid his MLB career moves and joining him on a honeymoon getaway shortly after their marriage, where he learned of his trade to the Seattle Mariners.[39][43]

Family

Raley and his wife, Katie Mihalik, whom he married on December 29, 2023, welcomed their first child, daughter Reagan, on February 25, 2025, in Arizona.[44][40] Raley was scratched from a Seattle Mariners spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers that day to be present for the birth.[45] He returned to the lineup on March 1, 2025, after a brief absence of a few days that minimally affected his preparation for the season.[44] As of November 2025, Reagan remains their only child.[44] Raley maintains strong connections to his extended family in Ohio, including his parents, Doug and Beth Raley, and his older brother, Brad.[11][12] His family frequently attends Mariners games in the Cleveland area to support him.[46] For instance, in June 2024, organized by his mother Beth, around 100 relatives and friends gathered in the left-field bleachers during a game against the Cleveland Guardians, offering enthusiastic cheers each time Raley took the field.[47] These visits highlight the ongoing role of his Ohio roots in his professional life.[48]

References

  1. Luke Raley Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News
  2. Luke Raley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More
  3. Luke Raley (2023) - Lake Erie College Athletics Hall of Fame
  4. Twins acquire Forsythe, Raley and Smeltzer in exchange for Brian ...
  5. Luke Raley Stats & Scouting Report - Baseball America
  6. Rays Acquire Luke Raley From Dodgers - MLB Trade Rumors
  7. Rays acquire outfielder Raley from Dodgers - MLB.com
  8. Luke Raley traded to Mariners during his honeymoon - MLB.com
  9. Mariners Acquire OF/1B Luke Raley from Rays
  10. Luke Raley - BR Bullpen - Baseball-Reference.com
  11. Even under the bright lights of MLB, Luke Raley hasn't forgotten his ...
  12. Highland grad Luke Raley is home for the weekend with Rays
  13. So far so good for Hinckley outfielder climbing the ladder in minor ...
  14. All-decade teams: Luke Raley raked for Highland | Medina Gazette
  15. Luke Raley's Highland High School Career Home - Max Preps
  16. [PDF] 2013 division i all-ohio poll team - OHSAA
  17. All-Ohio Baseball Teams - Morning Journal
  18. 2013 ALL-USA Ohio Baseball Team
  19. Dodgers outfield prospect Luke Raley moving on up | Think Blue LA
  20. Lucas Raley - 2016 - Baseball - Lake Erie College
  21. Luke Raley Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics
  22. Luke Raley Player Card | Baseball Prospectus
  23. Luke Raley | MLB Contracts & Salaries - Spotrac.com
  24. Luke Raley - MLB, Minor League Baseball Statistics
  25. Twins trade Brian Dozier to Dodgers - MLB.com
  26. Dodgers Officially Trade For Brian Dozier, Send Logan Forsythe ...
  27. Twins Roster & Staff - Transactions | Minnesota Twins
  28. Luke Raley News - RotoWire
  29. Kenta Maeda trade Twins Dodgers - MLB.com
  30. Luke Raley Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News
  31. Press release: Dodgers trade Luke Raley - MLB.com
  32. Mariners Trade José Caballero To Rays For Luke Raley
  33. Luke Raley Stats: Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics
  34. Luke Raley - Seattle Mariners Right Fielder - ESPN
  35. Luke Raley placed on injured list with right oblique strain - MLB.com
  36. Mariners Reinstate INF/OF Luke Raley from the 10-day IL
  37. Mariners' Luke Raley: Lifted with side tightness - CBS Sports
  38. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/nov/08/mariners-free-agency-preview-will-team-pursue-outf/
  39. Luke Raley keeps grounded approach, looking to stick with Rays
  40. Katie Mihalik and Luke Raley Wedding Registry - Find a Couple
  41. Katie Mihalik - 2017 - Volleyball - Cleveland State University Athletics
  42. Avon Lake's Katie Mihalik to sign with Cleveland State University
  43. Former Rays OF Luke Raley learns about Mariners move during ...
  44. Luke Raley returns to Mariners lineup after birth of first child - MLB.com
  45. Seattle Mariners Infielder Luke Raley Scratched From Game Due to ...
  46. Family of Seattle Mariners' Luke Raley plays funny role in big game
  47. Family, friends cheer on Luke Raley at Guardians game | Medina ...
  48. Mariners teammates Luke Raley, Dominic Canzone play in Cleveland
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