Seattle Mariners 2023 Opening Day roster overlook
By Charles Hamaker
Peoria, WA – Your Seattle Mariners are coming off a historic season that saw the Mariners climb out of a ten-games under .500 hole, rattle off a 14-game win streak heading into the All-Star game, topple several top teams in baseball, and end their 20+ year playoff drought. Their season ended in a grueling, heartbreak 18-inning loss in game three of the ALDS to division rival Houston, but the hope around the organization about the future of this organization was palpable. The team's offseason was criticized by many as being too cheap, but the Mariners added impact bats in Teoscar Hernandez and Kolten Wong via trade. Much of last season's roster remains, as Seattle is looking for encore performances from some, and breakout seasons for others.
Catchers
The catcher position is one that the Mariners struggled with as the year went along, as Tom murphy went down with an injury early in the year after beginning the season on a solid offensive tear. Luis Torrens, Brian O’Keefe, Jacob Nottingham and a few others put on the pads and mask behind the plate for Seattle, but none really saw much success for the Mariners outside of Big Dumper, Cal Raleigh. That led to Seattle leaning heavily on the 26-year-old backstop down the stretch and into the postseason, even when he suffered a broken thumb on his catching hand. With Murphy back to full strength and the insertion of the versatile Cooper Hummel to this group, backstop should be set for Seattle if it all goes well.
Cal Raleigh, C
Cal Raleigh, affectionately nicknamed Big Dumper by Jarred Kelenic for his large posterior, has become a legend in the city of Seattle. No matter that his career is now heading into only his third year in the big leagues, Raleigh’s mammoth home run (in size and importance) that sent the Mariners to postseason for the first time in 20+ years automatically cements him as a hero. The 26-year-old backstop's impressive second half of the season gives great hope for an excellent year at the plate in 2023, also taking into consideration that Raleigh was one of the more heavily shifted against hitters in all of baseball. Already a talented player behind the plate, 2023 looks like it could be even bigger than last for the Big Dumper.
Cal Raleigh’s Spring Training through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Tom Murphy, C
Murphy is another key aspect to this roster, considering Seattle’s loss of a real backup catcher last season when he went down with a shoulder injury. Initially it seemed as though the “Murph” could return from the separated shoulder he suffered in May; he was shut down for the season and Seattle had to roll with some mediocre backstops through the end of the year and HEAVILY rely on Raleigh. Before the sustained injury, Murphy was on fire on the plate and was one of the bright spots in the lineup as Seattle struggled a little to begin the year. Back to health and ripped as ever, getting Murphy healthy and to the form he saw to begin 2022 could be big not only for the Mariners hitting, but keeping Raleigh healthy as well.
Tom Murphy’s Spring Training through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Cooper Hummel, C/INF/OF
Cooper Hummel is an interesting player to look at here. He played literally all over the field in Spring Training, getting looks at catcher, first base, and left field amongst other spots. Acquired in a trade that sent beloved outfielder and former Rookie of the year Kyle Lewis to the Diamondbacks, Hummel fits the versatile mold that Seattle loves to have on their bench (See Haggerty, Moore). His versatility should suit him well in this lineup, being able to fill in wherever Seattle needs him too, and if what we saw in Spring was any indication, he could be solid at the plate when he has to pick up his bat.
Infielders
Seattle’s infield is a talented group on both aspects of the game, at the plate and on the diamond. First baseman Ty France is coming off his first All-Star appearance and is looking forward to a fully healthy season, hopefully. Kolten Wong, acquired via trade with the Brewers, is looking for a bounce back year defensively with the help of the legendary Perry Hill. JP Crawford, the captain of this team since Kyle Seager’s retirement at the end of the 2021 season, looks to remain healthy and get back to his gold glove winning form. Eugenio Suarez on the hot corner improved greatly defensively last season, because of Hill, and was a big bat in the Seattle lineup. It’s a key group with a lot of production for this ball club, and depending on how it goes, could be a major strength.
Ty France, 1B
France is coming off his first ever All-Star appearance, just a year late, and a year at the plate that was hindered by numerous injuries he suffered throughout the course of the season. The addition of Carlos Santana during the season helped when France missed time, but not having his production certainly impacted the Mariners as the year went on. One of the purest hitters in all of baseball, Ty wasn’t able to sustain success at the plate due to calf, wrist, and elbow injuries, amongst others. Fully healthy this offseason and still funny as ever, France looks to become an All-Star starter this season when Seattle hosts the event and hit his team into the playoffs for a second straight season.
Ty France’s Spring Training through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Kolten Wong, 2B
Wong, a Filipino-Hawaiian-Chinese-Portuguese player, saw a down year defensively after being known for his great glove in the infield. Wong is embracing the removal of the defensive shift as he feels that it will expose players that traditionally are saved by it. A smart player at the plate that doesn’t tout a ton of power, simply having Wong be average as a hitter (or, better than Adam Frazier’s .238 batting average) and he’ll be a help. Wong’s dedication to get back to his gold glove defense has been showcased already, as he called Perry Hill to get to work in Arizona before Spring Training even began. Watch throughout the season to see his defensive play, as working with Perry Hill can only mean we see Wong return to high quality defensive play.
Kolten Wong’s Spring Training in pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
JP Crawford, SS
Crawford, the swaggiest player on the team and the captain since Kyle Seager passed that mantle down after game 162 in 2021, is looking for a bounce back in 2023. His contact bat was okay in 2022, sitting at a .243 batting average, putting up solid numbers when it came to walks, strikeout percentage, chase rate, and whiff percentage. His problem at the plate lies in when he made contact, as JP’s hard-hit percentage, average velocity, barrel rate, slugging percentage, and outs above average were all in the bottom five percentile of the league. Crawford also saw some issues defensively, accounting for –11 outs above average and committing the most errors he ever has in a season at 14. Working with Perry Hill more and the shift may help Crawford a bit, but he needs a bounce back year following a tough 2022.
JP Crawford’s Spring Training through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Eugenio Suarez, 3B
Considered a contract dump in the trade that saw the Mariners acquire Suarez and Jesse Winker, Eugenio quickly became the more valuable player in the deal. The third baseman that donned a Cruella de Vil haircut for the first part of the season brought a big bat, the best defense he’s played in his career, and immaculate vibes to the clubhouse. Geno touted a top barrel rate, chase rate, and walk rate at the dish this past season, but did struggle with striking out when he wasn’t clobbering baseballs into the Puget Sound. At the hot corner, with the help of Perry Hill, Suarez saw his best season defensively in terms of defensive runs saved, adding the second-best fielding percentage that he’s ever posted in a season, and committing the second fewest errors in a season. If Eugenio can keep the good vibes going and replicate that defensive play while cutting down his strikeouts, he will continue to make that trade worth it, even considering that Jesse Winker didn’t pan out in Seattle.
Eugenio Suarez’s Spring Training through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Tommy La Stella, 3B/1B
La Stella is an okay move and will likely fill in for Eugenio Suarez at third base when they want to give Geno a break or day off. A veteran presence that’s bounced around baseball in his career and dealt with injuries in recent years, his ability to play the corner infield positions helps to replace the role Carlos Santana had at first. Although, I imagine that when we see Evan White get enough plate appearances and if he’s up to par, we may see him get some run with the big-league club, as he’s currently down with the Rainiers.
Tommy La Stella against the Reds during Spring Training (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Outfielders
The outfield group lost a fan favorite in Mitch Haniger, who had guaranteed that the Mariners would “end this fu***** drought” following the team coming within one game in 2021. Haniger fulfilled his promise, and after the season had ended and Seattle didn’t pick up his option, headed down to California to join the Giants. You may be wondering why I didn’t lead off with Julio’s name, and while that’s a fair question, we all now know Julio Rodriguez’s name and the impact that he had in year one. Excellent defense in center field that will only improve, a bat with immense power, speed on the base paths, and a joyful personality that has captured the game of baseball resides in center field for Seattle. Acquiring Teoscar Hernandez in a trade with Toronto was a surprising move considering that it didn’t seem like the Blue Jays would move the slugging right fielder, who is arguably an upgrade over Haniger. Jarred Kelenic, still young and showing big flashes in Spring Training, is looking to finally put all the pieces of his puzzle together and potentially take over the left field corner this year. The biggest, and maybe only, question this year for the Mariners in the outfield, is who steps up in left field and may take it over?
Julio Rodriguez, CF
Where can you start with Julio Rodriguez? The 2022 American League Rookie of the Year made an explosive entrance to major league baseball and quickly stole the hearts of Mariners fans around the globe. The 22-year-old center fielder displayed his speed, defensive skills, power, and maturity throughout the course of the season and played a large part in helping Seattle break its postseason drought. Julio’s base stealing numbers took a dive as the season went on, likely because opposing teams were more cautious when he was on base and to preserve his health, but the larger bases may mean we see more steals this season for him. His big bat flashed top percentile numbers in average exit velocity, max exit velocity, hard hit percentage, and barrel percentage as he continues to improve at the plate as he enters just his second year in the bigs, having never set foot on a AAA diamond. Lastly, there’s a reason that the section closest to center field was renamed to the “JROD Squad section,” as the center fielders defense patrolling in dead center was great in year one. All those things combined, his age, and his amazing character amongst other aspects of who Julio is netted him a contract that could become the richest in American sports if he hits certain incentives.
Julio Rodriguez’s Spring Training through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Teoscar Hernandez, RF
Acquiring outfielder Teoscar Hernandez may have been the best deal that Seattle made this offseason. The Mariners didn’t make a ton of them this offseason, but landing the hard-hitting right fielder in exchange for reliever Erik Swanson was a solid move and an upgrade over Mitch Haniger. While Mitch was a fan favorite and did have solid contribution when he was able to stay healthy, that last part about his health plays a key role in why I call the move an upgrade. Availability is a big factor in just how much a player can help a team, and if you can’t stay on the field, you can only do so much. A solid defender in the corner outfield, the knock I have on Teoscar would be his strikeout numbers, like Eugenio Suarez. Seeing the chemistry that he’s been building with Julio must take your excitement level up a notch when it comes to this outfield.
Teoscar Hernandez’s Spring Training through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Jarred Kelenic, OF
Young Jarred Kelenic has been an interesting story since the Mariners acquired him in a trade that sent closer Edwin Diaz and second baseman Robinson Cano to the Mets. Kelenic is the only player that Seattle acquired in that trade still with the organization, and he’s oft been criticized for not living up to the hype of once being a top prospect in baseball. Kelenic has dealt with mental issues, often overthinking things, changing his batting stance too much, and being criticized for “trying too hard.” The outfielder from Waukesha, Wisconsin has the work ethic of a mad man, but often just gets in his own head when it comes to improving his game and trying to put all his tools together in his toolbox to use them properly. His glove has been good in the outfield, but he hasn’t been able to create consistent results at the plate. If this past Spring Training has been any indication, we’ll see that happen this season.
Jarred Kelenic against the Cincinnati Reds in Spring Training (Photos by Liv Lyons)
AJ Pollock, LF
The signing of veteran outfielder AJ Pollock was an interesting one, and one that didn’t necessarily excite a lot of fans because he wasn’t a “big name player.” Pollock’s hitting statistics against left-handed pitching is a key for Seattle, who struggled to an extent in that department. President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said that the plan is to have Pollock and Kelenic platoon in left field, supposedly adding Taylor Trammell in when he returns from an injury that he suffered a day before Spring Training began. Pollock didn’t jump off the page in 2022 in any measure, but his bat should be a consistent commodity this year when he’s plugged into the lineup.
Sam Haggerty, OF/INF
Haggerty really burst onto the scene for the Mariners in 2022, whether that be his versatile play around the field, some solid hitting throughout the year, or using the godfather theme as his walk-up music. The versatile player that can play nearly every position on the field like Moore and Hummel really hit the scene in 2022 after seeing little action in 2020-21 with Seattle. Although it is still a smaller sample size, Haggerty made an immediate impact upon entering the lineup and had some memorable moments for the Mariners. Continuing to take advantage of his swiss-army knife ability should help Seattle rest players across the outfield and middle infield when needed.
Sam Haggerty against the Cincinnati Reds in Spring Training (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Starting rotation
Many might consider this group the crown jewel of the roster, loaded to the brim with younger and veteran talent alike. The one-two punch of Luis Castillo and Robbie Ray to start of the rotation is amazing on its own, but to have Logan Gilbert and George Kirby be part of the next few days after those two is incredible. Add Marco Gonzales to the mix, someone who will continue to eat up innings and use the chip on his shoulder to compete, and you’ve got one of the very best starting rotations in all of baseball. The strength of the team last season, the rotation got better when Seattle traded for Castillo and as George Kirby continued to develop as the games went on. Getting continued development from Kirby and Logan Gilbert is key to seeing this group dominate once again, as well as the obvious factor of keeping everyone healthy.
Luis Castillo, RHP
La Piedra quickly emerged as Seattle’s best starting pitcher upon being acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Cincinnati Reds that sent multiple key prospects over from the Mariners. Castillo has been worth the price and has signed an extension, so all that’s left now is to win games. The Dominican Republic born right hander has wicked stuff and a calming presence in the clubhouse amongst his teammates, recently being named the Opening Day starter. Fans got to see what Castillo can do when he was acquired near last year's deadline, so getting a full offseason with the Mariners and pitching a full season with the club should give fans even more reason to love him as he leads this rotation.
Luis Castillo’s final start of Spring Training (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Robbie Ray, LHP
Ray was unjustly criticized last year as if he had a bad year or just downright sucked, when that was not the case whatsoever. The tight pants wearing left hander had numbers like his Cy Young winning season in Toronto and has developed two new pitches since he became a Mariner two off seasons ago. While he did have his issues, particularly against the Astros throughout the season and obviously that homer by Alvarez, he ate up innings for the Mariners and was solidly effective. When Ray gave up contact, it was hard, so that’s an obvious area to improve upon. All things considered, having a one-two punch of Castillo and Ray is a luxury.
Robbie Ray’s 2022 through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Logan Gilbert, RHP
Gilbert, and his pitching alter ego named Walter, saw some great success in 2022 while also finding struggles when he couldn’t overpower opposing batters with his fastball. It’s been an area to address for Gilbert, the towering right hander entering his third year with the club, but like Ray, he’s adding a pitch this season. Gilbert has been working on a split-finger fastball this past Spring Training and it impressed manager Scott Servais. Logan ditched his changeup in favor of that splitfinger, as it was mostly ineffective and hardly ever used. When he was on last year, he was on, which was showcased in the month of April when his 0.40 ERA for his outings set a franchise record. Getting his off-speed to work will be key for Logan, as he can only use that fastball so much until it’s no longer overpowering.
Logan Gilbert’s 2022 season through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Marco Gonzales, LHP
Gonzaga Bulldog alum Marco Gonzales has been the biggest target of criticism in the Mariners rotation for years. Whether that’s because his stuff isn’t “sexy” and he’s “boring,” which inspired a t-shirt, Marco has been able to eat up innings and recorded the most quality starts last season amongst that Seattle rotation. Granted, Gonzales hasn’t always been lights out and has been lit up at times. But it needs to be said that he consistently eats up innings for this team and that quality starts stat is one to note. He isn’t going to have nasty movement on his pitches, he isn’t going to set some strikeout record. What Marco WILL do is go out there, compete like hell with a chip on his shoulder (especially after being left off last year's playoff roster), and give you a solid outing to stay in the ballgame most of the time. Sure, the idea of Bryce Miller or trading for another pitcher is exciting, but it isn’t realistic right now. Could Dipoto and Hollander pull it off? I wouldn’t doubt it one bit, but for now, Marco will take up a place in the rotation.
Marco Gonzales’ 2022 through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
George Kirby, RHP
The right hander with the last name of a Nintendo character (No, I don’t think his parents did that on purpose... at least I hope not) burst onto the scene last season with his Mother's Day debut. As the season wound on, many anticipated that Kirby may not be able to finish off the season since he’d never pitched that many innings through his trip up in the Mariners organization. His season was highlighted by his incredible seven scoreless innings against the eventual-champion Houston Astros in game three of the ALDS. Kirby will continue to develop and had a masterful start towards the end of Spring Training against the Dodgers. With the trajectory that he’s on, Kirby could contend for a Cy Young award before we know it.
George Kirby’s final start of the Spring against the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Bullpen
Los Bomberos, if they choose to stick with the nickname, are an interesting group to keep track of when you think about this season. Following a great performance from the group in 2021, many expected Seattle’s bullpen to see regression in 2022 as relievers can be a difficult position to predict when it comes to output and what to expect from them. That never came into play for the large part of the season, and the Mariners bullpen was again a key piece in why Seattle was in so many games this season and why they were able to scrape by even when their offense continuously underperformed. The bullpen boys did so well that they even earned a nickname and a cool entrance in the second half of the season, as the Mariners relievers put out fires all season long aka retiring runners in scoring position.
Andres Munoz, RHP
Another piece in that historic trade with the Padres that net a few impactful players in exchange for Austin Nola, Mariners reliever Andres Munoz scorched his way into Seattle’s heart in 2022. Seeing an inning or so of relief in the final game of 2021, Munoz saw some “struggles” to begin the 2022 season before really settling into his own in this rotation. The inspiration for the nickname “Los Bomberos,” Munoz quickly became a fan favorite due to his hard throwing and his efficiency on the mound. The Mexican born reliever quickly became one of the best out of the bullpen in all of baseball, and he’s only getting better.
Andres Munoz in Spring Training against the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Paul Sewald, RHP
Another story of a career resurrected; Paul Sewald has become one of the most effective relievers in baseball since joining the Mariners. Heading into his third year with Seattle, Sewald is essentially the Mariners' closer and has the emotion and fire that comes with getting those final three outs to end a game. The one issue that remains consistent with Sewald is that when he surrenders contact, it tends to be hard contact. Limiting that is an area of focus for Sewald, but if he continues to perform as he has during his time in Seattle, this Mariners bullpen will continue to put fires out all season long.
Paul Sewald’s 2022 season through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Matt Brash, RHP
Brash, beginning last season as a starter in the rotation, remains in the bullpen after murmurs that he may crack this year's starting rotation. The Canadian reliever, having spent some time their World Baseball Classic team, had a nosedive in trajectory last season when he struggled as a starter to begin the season. After some reinvention as a reliever, Brash is a flame-throwing reliever with gnarly stuff that helps make up “Los Bomberos.” Considering his arsenal of pitches and how he’s succeeded, there have been cries for Brash to get another shot in the rotation, but that seems unlikely. The Canadian should continue to do just fine coming out of the ‘Pen.
Matt Brash’s 2022 season through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Matt Festa, RHP
Italian reliever Matt Festa seems to have finally grown into a key member of the bullpen after spending some time sparely used by the Mariners. Festa contributed down the stretch of the season and emerged as a key member of “Los Bomberos,” playing a part in Seattle’s incredible 18-inning performance against the Astros in game three of the ALDS. While Festa hasn’t necessarily overpowered anybody or dropped any jaws with his stuff, he’s been effective when used and that’s all you can ask out of the bullpen.
Matt Festa in a Spring Training outing against the Oakland Athletics (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Diego Castillo, RHP
Diego is another Mariners pitcher that has received some criticism throughout the course of the season that is mostly out of overreaction. Castillo has had his moments where he’s blown a save or given up a few runs, but that’s going to happen with every single pitcher. Castillo has gotten the Mariners out of numerous jams ever since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for reliever JT Chargois and third base prospect Austin Shenton. Castillo has been trusted in high leverage situations, and that role shouldn’t change this season. Surely, there will be more moments to go on the highlight page that was made just for him.
Diego Castillo in a Spring Training outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Trevor Gott, RHP
A November signing for the ballclub last season, Gott very well could have swapped places with names like Gabe Speier, Justin Topa, or Riley O’Brien. Gott broke camp, and it will be seen whether they he can become the next “Mariners pitching project” out of the rough like many others over the last few years under Pete Woodworth. Relying on a cutter and fastball, his most impactful pitches have been that cutter and his curveball.
Penn Murfee, RHP
Similar to names like Festa, Brash, and Munoz, reliever Penn Murfee came along nicely in 2022 to become a key part of the Seattle bullpen. Although he allowed the only run in game three of the ALDS, a solo homer by Jeremy Pena to break the scoreless streak, Murfee was used in several different situations for the Mariners and is important to the makeup of this bullpen. It can be said for the bullpen, but regression may impact Murfee’s year when compared to last season.
Penn Murfee’s Spring Training outing against the Oakland Athletics (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Chris Flexen, RHP
The “Flex man” is another unique story on this Mariners roster. A former starter that was effective for Seattle after resurrecting his career in the KBO, Flexen transitioned to the bullpen following the insertion of George Kirby and Luis Castillo into the rotation. A true professional, Flexen took it in stride and continued to contribute to the ballclub when his name was called. Some expected Seattle to trade Flexen at some point before the deadline or during the offseason, but no move has been made yet. It seems that Flexen is happy with the organization and currently doesn’t have any plans to move, so look for him to be a multi-inning reliever.
Chris Flexen’s Spring Training outing against the Cincinnati Reds (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Guys who just barely missed out, injury or not
Manager Scott Servais identified these three relievers as players that just barely missed out on being one of the select 26 to make the Opening Day roster, and we very likely may see some of them throughout the year due to events such as injury. The two position players will likely see some decent time for Seattle, particularly Dylan Moore making an impact along the infield when it comes to getting starters rest or if other situations arise. Adding Moore and Trammell to the mix will make Seattle’s bench better, but finding room and consistent playing time for those two may be difficult considering the bench players that are already on the 26-man.
Justin Topa, RP
Gabe Speier, RP
Gabe Speier in an outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Spring Training (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Riley O’Brien, RP
All three of these relievers are sort of “projects” that Seattle has taken on this past offseason. O’Brien spent some time with the club last season and did make a few appearances, but they were mostly in garbage-time esque innings when the Mariners needed a body to throw strikes in a game they were likely out of. Topa was acquired in a January trade with Milwaukee for RHP Joseph Hernandez, a prospect who’s shown mediocre numbers so far in his young career. Gabe Speier, a left handed reliever, was a waiver claim back in November from the Kansas City Royals. Both Topa and Speier got praise from Scott Servais when he discussed the moves made to finalize the 26-man roster, and again, we will likely see them both at some point throughout the course of the season.
Riley O’Brien’s May 7th, 2022 outing against the Tampa Bay Rays (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Taylor Trammell, OF
Trammell is an interesting player due to a few factors. Part of a trade that will go down in Mariners, history, the outfielder from Powder Springs, Georgia was once a top prospect in the Reds system. He’s seen success at the minor league level throughout his now eight-year career but hasn’t been able to consistently put it together at the big-league level. I find it interesting that Dipoto and Hollander said that Trammell will help to platoon in left field, and while I can see that happening, if Jarred Kelenic and AJ Pollock play as they’re expected to, Trammell will be relegated to the bench of even AAA.
Taylor Trammell’s 2022 season through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Dylan Moore, INF/OF
Moore, another super-utility man just like Sam Haggerty, unfortunately starts the season on the injured list. Thankfully, per Scott Servais’ last media availability of the Spring, Moore should be ready to join the Mariners by Mid-April at the very latest. An impactful player for Seattle, there was a time where it seemed realistic that the California native could start the season as the second baseman for this time. Instead, the Mariners acquired Kolten Wong and Moore is now likely to be his backup there in addition to the club taking advantage of his versatile play.
Dylan Moore’s 2022 season through pictures (Photos by Liv Lyons)