the report card for 2023.
First base: Ty France had a disappointing season
though he appeared in more games than any player
except Eugenio Suarez who played in every single
game. He started the season batting either second
or third, however in the second half he was batting
seventh. No place for a player who was on the all-star
team in 2022.
In the four games that France missed Mike Ford
played first base while the rest of the time at dh.
My opinion is Ty France was not totally healthy
and though France is better defensively Ford did
an ok job there too and should have played a few
more games there to.
Some of the fans believe the Mariners should go
out and get another first baseman likely in a trade
since not much in the free agent market. The Mariners
have Dominic Canzone who they acquired from Arizona
in the Paul Sewald trade though played the outfield
has played first base as well. We see what the Mariners the
do there. Grade C minus
Second base: No doubt the most disappointing position
in the first half of the season. Kolton Wong was expected
to be the answer when they picked him up in the off-season
in a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers. In his limited time
he batted .163 with only two home runs. It was far cry from
his career average of .256. In 2022 he hit in double figures
in home runs. The Mariners were hoping Wong would break
out since he was always a slow starter but never did.
Jose Caballero a rookie came up in mid April platooning
with Wong and even started against some right handers.
Like most Mariners he had a good May and August. Like
most rookies he did struggle at the plate sometimes.
He became a fan favorite mainly by his attitude and at
the plate when he was hit a few times. I could see Jose
being the Mariners number one utility player next season.
The Mariners still need to upgrade in the utility role though.
Josh Rojas played well when the Mariners acquired him
from Arizona in the Paul Sewald trade. He ended up batting
.272 and had four home runs. We could see him being the
left handed bat platooning at second unless the Mariners
go out and upgrade.
Report card: another C minus however hope for a better
grade in 2024.
Shorstop: JP Crawford the best player on the Mariners
this season whose name wasn't Julio. In fact I would
call him the Mariners MVP. I don't think the Mariners
would have been this close to making the playoffs
without his outstanding play especially at the plate
where he was the most consistent player all season.
In fact if one other player had his consistency the
Mariners would have been in the playoffs.
JP started the season batting 9th however when
Julio was struggling at the plate he took over the
leadoff spot and owned it the rest of the season.
JP ended the season with a batting average of .266
and had 19 home runs a career high. He led the
Mariners in walks and second in runs to Julio both
at 94.
Grade: A
Third base: Though he didn't hit as well or consistent
Eugenio Suarez played every game and did an outstanding
job in the field. Certainly is a good replacement for Kyle
Seager who played defensively well for the Mariners for
a decade. His batting average was down and so was his
home runs at 22 from the year before. Eugenio was second
in rbi's to Julio with 96. Report Card B plus
Next time up on the Mariners we will look at catcher and
the outfield. Go M's.
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