In a year full of breakout seasons, athlete advocacy, and memorable moments, two former Little Leaguers®, Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Cal Raleigh and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Superstar Breanna Stewart, were honored by Sports Illustrated for their efforts. Celebrating the best in sports both on and off the field, Raleigh, a Great Smokies Little League graduate, was named “Breakout Star of the Year,” while Stewart, a Liverpool (N.Y.) Girls Softball LL alumna, was recognized as a “Top Innovator.”
Cal Raleigh – Great Smokies LL (Sylva, N.C.)
Baseball has never seen a player emerge quite like Cal Raleigh in 2025. Not only did he become the seventh player in MLB history to hit 60 home runs in a single season, but at 28 years old, he became the second youngest and the first switch-hitter and catcher to do so. Raleigh quickly became one of baseball’s most prolific home run hitters, dominating the field in the MLB Home Run Derby, presented by T-Mobile, as the first catcher to win the annual event. On top of all these accomplishments, the Great Smokies LL graduate led the Seattle Mariners to their first division title in 24 years, and within one win of reaching the World Series for the first time in franchise history.
It is no surprise that Raleigh was named Sports Illustrated’s “2025 Breakout Player of the Year” with more to prove this upcoming season. To learn more about Raleigh’s incredible season, read the in-depth feature by Tom Verducci on SportsIllustrated.com.
Breanna Stewart – Liverpool (N.Y.) Girls Softball LL
In 2023, Stewart and co-WNBA star Napheesa Collier recognized the complications of the WNBA’s prioritization rule that often forces players to seek opportunities overseas during the off-season. This led to the founding of “Unrivaled,” a player-run league that emphasizes not only competitive play but also focuses on the athlete’s personal branding, stories, and careers beyond the court.
Collier and Steward’s efforts created an opportunity for several WNBA athletes to stay in the United States year-round to be with their families, while enjoying the game they love. In 2025, the league exceeded its revenue targets and announced a $340 million valuation with expansion coming ahead of schedule. It’s the vision of these two incredible athletes that made Collier and Stewart Sports Illustrated’s 2025 “Innovators of the Year.” To learn more about the Liverpool Girls Softball Little League graduate and her incredible accomplishments, visit SportsIllustrated.com.
NOTE: If you know of a player that we have missed, please e-mail the information, including name, current professional team, and the name of the city or town where they played Little League, to [email protected].