Luke Raley

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Luke Raley

|team = Seattle Mariners

|image =Luke Raley 003 (cropped).jpg

|caption = Raley with the Great Lakes Loons in 2016

|number = 20

|position = Outfielder / First baseman

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|9|19}}

|birth_place = Hinckley, Ohio, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 9

|debutyear = 2021

|debutteam = Los Angeles Dodgers

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = April 26, 2025

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .236

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 46

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 123

|teams =

Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2021}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2023}})
Seattle Mariners ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

}}

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.

Amateur career

Raley graduated from Highland High School in Medina, Ohio.{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclet.com/sports/2018/06/07/Star-pitchers-from-Medina-County-picked-in-MLB-draft.html|title=Area Kent State pitchers picked in MLB draft|first=Albert|last=Grindle|date=June 7, 2018|website=Chronicle-Telegram|access-date=December 14, 2018}} He was named to the Ohio All-State Baseball Team as a senior.{{cite web|url=https://usatodayhss.com/2013/baseball-ohsbca-announces-all-state-teams|title=Baseball: OHSBCA announces all-state teams|date=June 17, 2013|website=usatodayhss.com|access-date=December 14, 2018}} 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.{{cite web|author= |url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=690412&seasonid=26713 |title=#4 Lucas Raley |publisher=pointstreak.com |date= |accessdate=April 10, 2021}} As a junior at Lake Erie, he hit .424 with 12 home runs, 39 RBIs, and a .528 on-base percentage in 47 games.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2016/06/10/dodgers-second-day-at-draft-table-begins-with-may-ends-on-lachance/|title=Dodgers' second day at draft table starts in May, ends by taking Lachance.|first=J. P.|last=Hoornstra|date=June 10, 2016|website=insidesocal.com|access-date=December 14, 2018}} After his junior year, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2016 MLB draft,{{cite web|url=http://www.thepostnewspapers.com/eastern_medina/sports/dreams-come-true/article_66194353-8d8f-5913-b7b8-cdff436675d4.html|title=Dreams come true|first=Dan |last=Brown|website=The Post Newspapers|access-date=December 14, 2018}} and he signed for $150,000.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2016/6/17/11967520/luke-raley-signing-bonus|title=Luke Raley signing bonus|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=June 17, 2016|website=True Blue LA|access-date=December 14, 2018}}

Professional career

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

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{{Cite web |last=Uhlman |first=Harold |date=April 1, 2017 |title=Dodgers outfield prospect Luke Raley moving on up | |url=https://thinkbluela.com/2017/04/dodgers-outfield-prospect-luke-raley-moving-on-up/ |website=Think Blue LA}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=670042#/career/R/hitting/2018/ALL|title=Luke Raley Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=June 27, 2018}} He was a California League All-Star that season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbsun.com/sports/20170613/fourteen-cal-league-all-stars-from-inland-area-teams|title=Fourteen Cal League All-Stars from Inland-area teams|date=June 13, 2017}} He began 2018 with the Tulsa Drillers{{cite web|url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/drillers/pro-baseball-new-drillers-outfielder-luke-raley-has-breakout-potential/article_1707f81c-e4f5-52e9-a850-6dc1aefaa513.html|title=Pro baseball: New Drillers outfielder Luke Raley has breakout potential|first=Barry Lewis Tulsa|last=World|website=Tulsa World|access-date=December 14, 2018}} and was selected to the Texas League All-Star Game.{{Cite web|url=https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/south-all-stars-prevail-as-home-run-contest-decides-texas-league-all-star-game/article_e326015a-7d1e-58c3-bc3d-52cae0f9c461.html|title=South All-Stars prevail as home run contest decides Texas League All-Star Game|author=Staff reports|website=Tulsa World}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On July 31, 2018, Raley was traded to the Minnesota Twins, with prospects Devin Smeltzer and Logan Forsythe, for former All-Star Brian Dozier.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2018/7/31/17636428/dodgers-acquire-brian-dozier-twins-logan-forsythe-two-minor-leaguers|title=Dodgers acquire Brian Dozier from Twins for Logan Forsythe, two minor leaguers|work=SB Nation|first=Ryan|last=Walton|date=July 31, 2018|access-date=July 31, 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=670042#/career/R/hitting/2018/ALL|title=Luke Raley Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=October 16, 2018}} He spent 2019 with the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings,{{Cite web|url=https://twinsdaily.com/index.html/twins-minor-league-news-rumors/2019-rochester-red-wings-preliminary-roster-r7646/|title=2019 Rochester Red Wings Preliminary Roster|website=Twins Daily}} 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.{{cite web |author= |date=November 20, 2019 |title=Twins' Luke Raley: Joins 40-man roster |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-luke-raley-joins-40-man-roster/ |access-date=November 20, 2019 |website=CBSSports.com |agency=RotoWire}} He played for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League after the 2019 season.{{cite web |author=Callis |first=Jim |date=October 22, 2019 |title=AFL MVP aspirant Lewis keys Salt River's clinch |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/royce-lewis-arizona-fall-league |access-date=November 20, 2019 |website=MLB.com}} Raley was added to the Twins 40-man roster on November 20.{{cite web |author=Helfand |first=Betsy |date=November 20, 2019 |title=Twins add five to 40-man roster before Wednesday night's deadline |url=https://www.twincities.com/2019/11/20/twins-add-five-to-40-man-roster-before-wednesday-nights-deadline/ |access-date=November 20, 2019 |website=St. Paul Pioneer Press}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint)=

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/in-final-piece-of-graterol-maeda-deal-twins-get-class-a-catcher/567745652/|title=In final piece of Graterol-Maeda deal, Twins get Class A catcher|work=Minneapolis Star-Tribune|date=February 10, 2020|access-date=February 10, 2020|first=La Velle E.|last=Neal III}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Luke Raley Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/luke-raley-670042 |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

On April 9, 2021, Raley was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/cody-bellinger-goes-on-il-with-calf-injury|title=Dodgers place Bellinger on IL with calf injury|first=Juan|last=Toribio|date=April 9, 2021|accessdate=April 9, 2021|work=mlb.com}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/nationals-vs-dodgers/2021/04/09/634533#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=play-by-play,game=634533|title=Dodgers vs Nationals box score|work=mlb.com|accessdate=April 9, 2021}} His first career hit came on April 14, an opposite-field double against Daniel Bard of the Colorado Rockies.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN202104140.shtml|title=Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, April 14, 2021|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite web |title=Luke Raley records his first MLB hit in the 8th {{!}} 04/14/2021 |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/video/luke-raley-s-first-mlb-hit?q=PlayerId%20==%20%5B670042%5D%20Order%20By%20Timestamp%20ASC&cp=CMS_FIRST&p=0 |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} On April 16, Raley hit his first career home run off of a slider from Dan Altavilla of the San Diego Padres.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN202104160.shtml|title=Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres Box Score, April 16, 2021|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{Cite web |title=Luke Raley belts his first career home run {{!}} 04/16/2021 |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/video/luke-raley-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-right-center-field?q=PlayerId%20==%20%5B670042%5D%20Order%20By%20Timestamp%20ASC&cp=CMS_FIRST&p=0 |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/raleylu01.shtml|title=Luke Raley Statistics|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=October 6, 2021}} His second MLB home run was the longest for the Dodgers that season, traveling 472 feet at Coors Field on September 22.{{Cite web |title=Luke Raley tops Dodgers' longest home runs of 2021 {{!}} 11/20/2021 |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/video/dodgers-longest-homers-of-2021?q=PlayerId%20==%20%5B670042%5D%20Order%20By%20Timestamp%20ASC&cp=CMS_FIRST&p=0 |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} He was called up by the Dodgers seven different times during 2021. He also appeared in 72 games for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, hitting .294 with 19 homers and 69 RBI.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=raley-000luc|title=Luke Raley Amateur, College, Minor & Fall League Statistics|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=October 6, 2021}} He struck out in his lone at-bat in the Wild Card Game, his first postseason appearance.

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On March 18, 2022, Raley was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Tanner Dodson.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/03/rays-to-acquire-luke-raley-from-dodgers.html|title=Rays To Acquire Luke Raley From Dodgers|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Anthony|last=Franco|date=March 18, 2022|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} 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. He was promoted to the major league roster on June 21, 2022, following injuries to Kevin Kiermaier and Manuel Margot.{{cite web |title=Rays Place Manuel Margot, Kevin Kiermaier On Injured List |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/06/rays-expected-to-place-manuel-margot-kevin-kiermaier-on-injured-list.html |website=mlbtraderumors |access-date=June 21, 2022}} 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.

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 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2023/09/21/luke-raley-neck-arm-jason-adam-activated-injured-list-jose-siri/|title=Ray's Luke Raley will 'miss some time', Brandon Lowe day to day|work=Tampa Bay Times|first=Marc|last=Topkin|date=September 21, 2023|accessdate=October 3, 2023}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Matt |date=2023-08-16 |title=WATCH: Rays' Luke Raley gets crazy bounce for one of the weirdest inside-the-park home runs you'll ever see |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/watch-rays-luke-raley-gets-crazy-bounce-for-one-of-the-weirdest-inside-the-park-home-runs-youll-ever-see/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=CBS Sports |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Luke Raley gets insane bounces for inside-the-park HR {{!}} 08/16/2023 |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/video/luke-raley-hits-an-inside-the-park-home-run-17-on-a-fly-ball-to-right-cen?q=ContentTags%20=%20%5B%22playerid-670042%22%5D%20Order%20By%20HitDistance%20DESC&cp=CMS_FIRST&p=0 |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=MLB.com |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Luke Raley 2023 Batting Splits |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=raleylu01&year=2023&t=b |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

=Seattle Mariners=

On January 5, 2024, the Rays traded Raley to the Seattle Mariners for José Caballero.{{cite news |last1=Passan |first1=Jeff |title=Rays trade Andrew Kittredge to Cards, get José Caballero from M's |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39249174/rays-trade-andrew-kittredge-cardinals-richie-palacios-acquire-jose-caballero-mariners-luke-raley |access-date=January 6, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=January 5, 2024}} Raley mostly matched his 2023 production in more playing time, slashing .243/.320/.463 in 137 games for the Mariners in 2024. He fared worse against lefties, batting .182 with a .570 OPS in 82 plate appearances.{{Cite web |title=Luke Raley 2024 Batting Splits |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=raleylu01&year=2024&t=b |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

Personal life

Raley is married to Katie Mihalik. She gave birth to their first child in February 2025.{{Cite web |title=Raley perfecting 2 new roles: First baseman and first-time dad |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/luke-raley-returns-to-mariners-lineup-after-birth-of-first-child |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}