of the all-star break. Friday the
Mariners will start a three game
series in Anaheim against the
Los Angeles Angels just after
winning two out of three games
against them in Seattle.
We now look at the position
players for the second half
right now. Changes may occur
with the trading deadline in
just over two weeks.
Catcher: Most of the season the
Mariners have gone with Tom
Murphy and Luis Torrens. Both
haven't hit as well as we had
expected though Torrens done
better since coming back from
Tacoma. Torrens has hit seven
home runs since mid-June
while hitting around the .290.
Murphy to has hit better though
he is still under .200. He has
started against lefties behind
the plate who hits better off.
Sunday the Mariners promoted
Cal Raleigh when he made his
major league debut. Raleigh
start the majority of games at
catcher the rest of the season
with an occasion day off. This
means Torrens may play some
first base well as dh. Murphy
may at dh and catch when
Raleigh has a day off. Catching
should be better the second half.
First base: The Mariners have
been without Evan White since
the middle of May and isn't
expected back the rest of the
season. If he does probably not
until late August or September.
White was his usual gold glove
at first base but his hitting was
.144 when he went on the injured
list. Ty France has done the majority
of time at first base and actually
looks good there defensively. Jake
Bauers the Mariners acquired from
Cleveland has done a good job
as well although he has had to play
the outfield since the Mariners only
two outfielders right now on the
roster.
Second base: Dylan Moore has been
the primary guy playing the position
since the beginning of the season. He
did have a little time on the injured list.
Moore is hitting a disappointing .176
so not a big factor on the offense side
though his defense has been rock solid.
Moore has eight home runs while leading
the Mariners in stolen bases with 14.
The Mariners do have Shed Long Jr
as well, however, he has hit that well
either though did help win a couple
games with a grand slam and a walk
off home run. Shed has had to play
a lot of left field with the absence of
Kyle Lewis for most of the season.
We could see more of Ty France at
second base in the second base depending
of how much time at first base. What
we do know the Mariners need his bat
wherever he plays.
Shortstop: The first half the Mariners
player of the season so far in JP Crawford.
He hasn't missed much time in the lineup
and we hope this continues in the second
half. In the previous two years Crawford
hasn't hit as well in the second half however
his attitude is different at the plate so I
expect he will continue this way. The
Mariners need him to if they have any
chance to make the playoffs. He is the
engine that goes and of course his defense
is outstanding.
Third base: It is still Kyle Seager's position
right now until the trading deadline at least.
Kyle is hitting in the low 200s while being
second on the team in home runs and rbi's to
Mitch Haniger. Going into the second half
he missed two games. Not sure how healthy
he is or not. Though not on the injured list
yet hard to know whether he will be back
in the lineup on Friday or not. Kyle still
plays a solid defense at third and on occasion
has a factor at the plate. Kyle has been hitting
either third or fourth in the lineup on the season
switching with Ty France depending on facing
righties or lefties. Personally I wish Kyle was
hitting lower in the lineup however they don't
have anyone to be there unless you put Mitch
Haniger in either three or four and enter
someone else in the second spot. I could see
Jake Fraley in the second spot. Kyle would do
better in the bottom half of the batting order.
If Kyle isn't able to go on Friday most likely
Dylan Moore will move to third base with
Ty France and Shed Long sharing second base.
The outfield: Currently the Mariners have two
true outfielders in the lineup in Jake Fraley
and Mitch Haniger. Fraley has done well in
the first half since coming off the injured list.
He has had some key hits whether he can
continue the second half we will see. Mitch
Haniger got off to a good start and has been
hitting well going into the break so hopefully
he can stay healthy and hit while leading the
team in home runs and rbi's. The big question
will Haniger be dealt by the trading deadline.
This can come down to whether the Mariners
feel they can sign him to a long term contract
or not. Also, he could be the Austin Nola trade
of this season. There is thought Jarred Kelenic
will return to the Mariners for his second call
up on the season from Tacoma on Friday. If
so then he will be moving into the center field
spot until Kyle Lewis return though I hope they
actually move Lewis to left field. Fraley plays
a good center field, however, the Mariners will
like him in left and on occasion in right field
when Haniger has a day off in the field. Taylor
Trammell the Mariners sent down the second
time during the first half. His defense has been
outstanding though his bat hasn't though we
do see the potential there with an occasion home
run. I am sure we will see Trammell again before
the season is over.
The position players all have played good defense.
The bottom of the lineup hasn't been what we
would like to see except an occasion burst especially
winning some games. They have helped in the
come backs the Mariners have had. We hope to
continue see some comebacks, however, the offense
getting out fast early on and adding on would be
nice to. Consistency out of the lineup on the whole
would be good. Better offense and starting pitching
may keep the Mariners in games along with
winning. If they can continue doing what they
have the last month the Mariners could end up in
the playoffs especially if Jerry Dipoto can add
needed starting pitching and a good bat especially
at second base. We look forward to see how Cal
Raleigh and the reemergence of Jarred Kelenic.
Go M's.
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