second game of spring training Tuesday
against the Cleveland Indians. As we
continue through spring looking first at
the position players. Now we are at third
base after catcher, first base, second base
and shortstop. So third of course makes
the round of the infield.
Those who are Mariner fans knows this
long time Mariner will likely be leaving
after this season. He is in the last year
of his contract plus an option for next
season which sounds the Mariners won't
pick up unless he has an outstanding
season and under that circumstance he
could be traded.
The thing about the option for next season
if Seager is traded before the season is
over it becomes a player option where he
actually will make more money. So the
Mariners will either have to pay him more
depending on what they get in the trade
though could do so anyway or the team
who he is traded to has pay the salary.
For the most part it has been a good ride
to have Seager with the Mariners. After
Felix Hernandez contract ended after 2019
Seager became the longest current member
of the Mariners. Until 2019 when Kyle
Lewis was brought up in September then
became the regular starting centerfielder
the Mariners hadn't had a player at position
since Seager had come up. We now hope with
the rebuilding we will see position players
along with pitchers coming up through the
system on a regular basis.
Kyle Seager for the most part will be starting
at third base until he is traded or the option
isn't picked up after the season is over. Ty
France may play some third base when Seager
has to have a day off. France is a good hitter
but his fielding is questionable, however, I
am sure he is working on his defense during
spring training.
Dylan Moore who is expected to be the
starting second baseman this season could
play some third base as well. Also, Sam
Haggerty expected to be utility player may
see some games at third base too.
The Mariners have several third basemen
in their farm system but none of them are
ready to go. Donovan Walton who began
his career at shortstop has seen action at
second and third base. He likely will start
the season at Tacoma unless he beats out
Haggerty as the utility player. Walton would
have to be ready to go as the Mariners most
likely want him to play everyday. If Seager
were to get hurt or traded Walton then would
probably be brought up to Seattle. This would
depend to on what the Mariners get in return
for Seager.
The Mariners do have two players in camp
who have third base experience but likely
they will start the season in Tacoma. They
are Jordan Cowan and Jantzen Witte. Neither
player has major league experience though
they have played in triple-A.
The Mariners top prospect at third base is
at #17 Austin Shenton. He was drafted by
the Mariners in 2019 in the 5th round. He
could be moving up through the Mariner
system quickly because of his bat. Shenton
is a Washington native out of Bellingham.
He has to work on his defense.
Joe Rizzo is listed at #22 he was drafted out
of high school in the second round in 2016.
Though he is still young this could be the
year he makes it or not. Like Shenton he
bats left handed and he is a similar type
of hitter as well. He is expected to start
the season at double-A.
The third prospect is Tyler Kennan drafted
this last year in the 4th round. He was in
camp in Tacoma during the last season but
likely start in single A this year. He to bats
left handed. So whoever of those three
becomes the Mariners third baseman in the
future they will bat left. Kennan though it
will be his bat that makes him to the major
leagues. Most likely he could be the Mariners
designated hitter with playing third base
and first base on occasion. Yes the Mariners
will likely see how he works out at first base.
With Evan White being around if he is able
to hit no one else will have a chance to play
first base except on occasion.
So that looks like third base for now and the
future. Next time we will look at left field.
Go M's.
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