The Seattle Mariners struggled during the 2020 season.
While they overperformed with their roster, they still finished third in the AL West and missed the playoffs.
2020 Seattle Mariners in the 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀✅#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/SgauSOkJ0K
— Skylar Lewis (@RealSkylarLewis) September 27, 2020
However, there are many bright takeaways from the shortened, 60-game season.
The Mariners are a team on the rise, with as much good, young talent as any other team in the MLB.
Though they will likely struggle again this year, there is reason for Mariners fans to be excited.
Here is an early look at the team’s 2021 lineup.
Mariners 2021 Lineup
If the season began today, the Mariners lineup projects to look like this:
- J.P. Crawford, SS
- Dylan Moore, 2B
- Kyle Lewis, OF
- Kyle Seager, 3B
- Mitch Haniger, OF
- Jose Marmolejos-Dias, OF
- Evan White, 1B
- Ty France, DH
- Luis Torrens, C
On paper, this lineup is far from the best.
However, it has some solid pieces in place as they build for the future.
Kyle Lewis is the reigning Rookie of the Year and projects to be a middle of the order bat for a long time.
Kyle Lewis with an absolute NUKE off of Justin Verlander 😯💣 pic.twitter.com/NeX7RVZ5jn
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) July 25, 2020
He can become a difference maker in the field that the team can structure their lineup around.
Veterans Kyle Seager and Mitch Haniger add proven success to the lineup.
They also give the team a solid leadership foundation for their emerging young talent.
Another wild card is Evan White, who struggled during his rookie campaign last season.
Look for him to take a major step forward in 2021, as he was part of our top three potential breakout candidates.
This group could help elevate this offense beyond their expected value this season, making them a difficult matchup against opposing teams.
Pitching Rotation
While the Mariners do not have an awful pitching rotation, it is filled with question marks and unproven talent.
Marco Gonzales elevated himself as the ace of the staff last season.
The lefty went 7-2 and posted a solid 3.10 ERA.
Marco Gonzales, Very Crafty 89mph Sinker. 🧶 pic.twitter.com/E0nX3ckcxT
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 31, 2020
There is also the young duo of Justus Sheffield and Justin Dunn.
Each of them gives the Mariner rotation youth and potential, assuming they develop into the projected major leaguers they can be.
Beyond them, there isn’t much to expect from the Mariners pitching staff in 2021.
They will likely have a difficult time this year as they continue their roster rebuild.
However, their farm system is weaker with pitching so look for them to make some additions through trades or free agency.
Mariners Top Prospects
The future is bright for the Mariners.
In fact, it is unreasonably bright.
The organization has the two top outfield prospects in Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic.
The Mariners have five Top 💯 prospects.
Two of them — Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic — are among the five best prospects in baseball.
We’d say that’s pretty good.
New list: https://t.co/UfBZeOOnMf
(Kelenic 🎥 via @Mariners)
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) January 18, 2021
It seems as though they will become future All-Stars at some point in their careers.
Pair them with Lewis and the Mariners are projecting to have one of the best outfields in all of the MLB.
They also have outfielder Taylor Trammell, an MLB ready prospect who could be leveraged in a trade for major league pitching.
Pitching prospects Emerson Hancock and Logan Gilbert are also developing in the minors and aim to contribute to the MLB club soon.
With all of this potential in mind, Mariners fans will have to struggle with at least one more season of rebuilding.
Then, the fruits of this young farm system will begin to pay off as the major league club will get an influx of talent.
However, expect the team to have a rough time in 2021.
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