Mariners Outfield

This Wednesday the pitchers and catchers report to training camp. The regular players report the following Tuesday and the first exhibition game is on Friday February 23. With the season starting on March 29 the training games start early this year. So now a look at the outfield.

Although the regulars don’t have to report until February 20 many of them are in camp already including new center fielder Dee Gordon. When the Mariners traded for Gordon he started to learn his new position of centerfield. In the major leagues he was first a shortstop and then became a second baseman. With Segura and Cano at those two positions the Mariners the Mariners decided that they needed and outfielder especially in center they told Gordon that they wanted to have him in centerfield. He has been working out in Florida since being acquired by the Mariners with their outfield coach and has spoken with former Mariner and hall of famer Ken Griffey Jr. on how to play the position. The plan is that he will be the leadoff hitter as well since he has a lot of speed and led the majors in steals last year. He is a left handed hitter so he may be moved down in the order against tough lefties. With his speed and a good arm he should be able to cover center field however we will have to see.

While Gordon will play center field Ben Gamel who played most of last year with the Mariners as a rookie should start again in left field. He started last season in Tacoma losing out Guillermo Heredia as the fourth outfielder however when Mitch Haniger was hurt he came up to Seattle. He started hitting very well for some time though later in the season he struggled like most rookies. When Haniger came back from injury he stayed with the Mariners while Leonys Martin was struggling at the plate was sent down to Tacoma. Martin spend most of the season in Tacoma though he did come back up near the end of the season but again he struggled and the Mariners put him on waivers where he was picked up by the Chicago Cubs.  Gamel ended the season with a batting average of .275 with eleven home runs and fifty-nine rbi’s. Though he has a lot of speed he had only four stolen bases however I see him improving in that area. Most fans consider him low grade far as their outfielders go on the defensive side. I hope that he has worked on that side of the game too. I feel though if he improves his defense and hits about the same as last year he will be fine especially when he likely be batting ninth in the batting order.

Guillermo Heredia will come back to platoon with Gamel in left field along with being the fourth outfielder. He was one of the best defensive outfielders in the major leagues last year. On the offensive side he was often part of many rallies the Mariners were involved in last season before he had shoulder problems near the end of the season and had to have surgery. The Mariners feel he will be ready going into spring training. Like Gambel I figure he will have a good season coming up especially if he can stay healthy all year. He will probably bat at the end of the batting order as well when playing against lefties primarily. If Dee Gordon has some problem defensively in center field the Mariners may bring Heredia late in games especially if they are ahead. He was my favorite player on the Mariners last year and I hope the same this coming season.

Mitch Haniger returns as the everyday right fielder. He is considered among the top ten right fielders in the major leagues. He had a solid rookie season though he did struggle some when he came back from one of his two trips to the disabled list however he was one of the hottest hitters in September for the Mariners so if he can start off this season like he started last year and ended the season. Depending on how Gordon plays defensively in center field Haniger might play some time there as well. In ninety-six games he had sixteen home runs and twenty-five doubles along with a solid batting average of .282 and .352 on base percentage. If he can stay healthy for the season than he should have higher stats. He could become a big star for the Mariners. Right now he will bat sixth or seventh in the batting order. It will be either him or Ryon Healy back to back. Regardless who bats behind Kyle Seager they should be able to help one another out. Along with Mike Zunino they can have a lot of power in the bottom of their batting order.

If Heredia has a setback after off-season surgery the fourth outfielder could go to either utility player in Andrew Romine who they picked up off of waivers from the Detroit Tigers or return of Taylor Motter. Both can play the outfield well along with the infield though they are questionable when it comes to hitting. Romine is a switch hitter while Motter is a right handed hitter. Motter hit solidly when he played for shortstop Jean Segura went on the disabled list the first time however struggled later on and spent time in Tacoma. He could start the season in Tacoma if Heredia is ready to go when the season begins however if Romine struggles or someone goes on the disabled list whether an infielder or outfielder he likely would be the guy brought up.

The only other guy listed as an outfielder on the forty man roster is Cameron Perkins who they picked up off waivers during the off-season from the Philadelphia Phillies. He spent most of last season in triple A with a solid batting average but not much of a home run hitter. He hit seven home runs in the minors and one home run when he was called up to Philadelphia. Chances are that he will start the season in Tacoma. I would say he is there for depth and be sent up if someone in the outfield gets hurt.

The only other one on the forty man roster who could play outfield would be Nelson Cruz who will play most of his time at designated hitter. He may play right field when the Mariners are playing on the road when facing inter-league teams. Cruz said though he has been taking grounders at first base during the off-season so if he looks good there we may see him play there however that likely would be against inter-league teams as well.

So this the rap up of those who likely will be on the Mariners outfield at least it looks that way when spring training begins. I know I certainly like the look of Gambel, Gordon and Haniger along with Heredia in the outfield. Go M’s.