J.P. Crawford and Kyler Seager. Seattle Mariners.
One of the biggest investments a sports fan can make is purchasing a jersey. There is no worse feeling than picking up a James Paxton jersey in 2018 to see him traded away that offseason. Or to invest in a Robinson Cano jersey right before he gets suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs. On top of this, the Mariners have churned through their roster over the last few years, leaving minor leaguer (and Seattle native) Jordan Cowan as the second longest-tenured player on the team behind Kyle Seager.
But now is a new era. The young stars are rising, and many will stay in the Emerald City for a while. If now is the time for you to invest in a Mariners jersey, these are your best options. Jersey worthiness is going to be judged on the player’s success, potential, character, and likelihood to stay.
There are three jerseys you can never go wrong with as a Mariners fan. The immortal names of Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, and Ichiro represent players held in high regard in and around the Pacific Northwest. All four were outstanding representatives of the organization. Unlike Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, or even Adrian Beltre, the four players started and/or ended their careers in Seattle. Having a current a player’s jersey can be more fun; then again, the classics never go completely out of style. Felix Hernandez’s number 34 possibly could be on this list; he was the most popular player on the team for a long time.
The next generation of Mariner’s stars is in the system. When you’re ready to invest in a new Mariners jersey, consider one of these players.
Jarred Kelenic will be a bright part of the Mariner’s future. He’ll get a call up to the Major Leagues by Memorial Day at the latest. With power, speed, and a great eye in the box, Kelenic has it all athletically. He is often involved in charities to help his communities. Finally, he managed to develop some much-deserved clout and popularity after posting a video of hitting a frisbee with a baseball. Considering that he will be under Seattle’s contractual control until at least 2027, a Kelenic jersey is a worthy investment.
The only problem is that his preferred number, 10, is already taken by current Mariner Tim Lopes. It may not be worth getting his jersey just to have the number changed, but in less than six months, we’ll know more.
A year behind Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez has a bright future in Seattle. Those two, along with Kyle Lewis, will be an outfield any team would love. His jersey will be worth investing in as well. He wore number 23 in spring training, but Ty France has it now. M’s fans have to wait until 2021 spring training to see what number the team issues him.
Along with Kelenic, Logan Gilbert will be up in Seattle next year, looking to establish himself. He comes with a ton of talent, great character and will be under team control through 2027, at least. While I tend to trust a position player’s longevity more than a pitcher, Gilbert’s number 30 is available on the big league roster making his jersey a safer buy.
Dylan Moore established himself as a major-leaguer in 2020. He doesn’t quite hold the potential of players like Kyle Lewis or J.P. Crawford, but you can feel safe that he will spend the 2021 season in Seattle. Moore now has two years of strong experience and four more years of team control. Further, his ability to play many positions defensively will keep him around the team for a while. His number 25 jersey will bring at least a year or two of solid play.
If the month he spent with M’s indicates what France can do, a number 23 jersey is a sound buy. The versatile infielder will be with the Mariners for several years. He isn’t eligible for free agency until 20206.
Continue to see some of the more reliable players who will be around for years to come.
Justus Sheffield worked himself into AL Rookie of the Year conversations by the end of 2020. This year he looked much more poised and in control than he ever did in 2019. With at least four years of team control ahead, he is a safe pick to stick around for a while. The boost in his performance this year and his calm demeanor make his jersey a safe purchase. Sheffield will be around Seattle for a while.
Evan White signed a six-year contract with the Mariners prior to 2020 with three possible extensions. This could keep White in Seattle through 2028. He has a great character, which was part of his early contract justification despite never playing above Double-A. While his production at the plate wasn’t great in 2020, White has already proven to be an elite defender at first base.
He led all MLB Rookies in barrel rate, which shows some of his potential at the plate. On the downside, White struck out over 40% of the time. If the young first baseman cleans up that strikeout rate, he should be a strong producer for Seattle for a long time.
When the Mariners traded Jean Segura to Philadelphia for J.P. Crawford, it was the end of a process where their front office unanimously decided on the highly talented shortstop. Crawford has a knack for highlight plays on defense. His offense hasn’t been great but keeps improving.
Crawford has the on-field flash on the field and leadership ability to be the face of the team when Dee Strange-Gordon is gone. Under M’s control through 2024, Crawford is a great candidate for a jersey purchase.
Like Crawford, Kyle Lewis plays at a premium position and is great defensively. He will likely win the 2020 AL Rookie of the Year and has done nothing but overcome obstacles on his rise to early stardom.
Lewis will be roaming the outfield of T-Mobile Field for years to come. It’s mind-boggling to think that after Kelenic and Rodriguez reach the show.
His only detractor is that with Mitch Haniger potentially returning from injury and Kelenic being called up in May, Lewis could be only the third-best outfielder in Seattle next year. Any ballplayer that makes the fans think of Griffey is worth buying a jersey from.
Until Lewis turned heads in July and August, Mitch Haniger was the most popular Seattle Mariners player. Haniger may have even kept the title had he not missed almost two seasons due to a nasty injury and its complications. He’ll be back next season and is signed through 2023. The question jersey shoppers want to know is: Will Haniger be the same player he was before the injury?
Marco Gonzales has established himself well among his MLB peers. There are thoughts that he will garner Cy Young considerations for his 2020 season. He has improved in each of his four seasons in Seattle and is under contract for four more years. Beyond this, Marco is an active member of the Seattle community. He is one of the few players to live in Seattle year-round. You will often see his face around charities and drives around the northwest. You won’t go wrong with a Marco Gonzales jersey.
Kyle Seager is the longest-tenured Mariner, having been drafted in 2009. His current contract can expire at the end of 2021 with an expensive team option for the 2022 season. Seager’s recent level of play makes him a great extension candidate, whether through the team option or a new contract at a reduced rate. Seager is a strong leader with great character.
He will be held in high regard by M’s fans no matter where he ends up playing in 2022 or beyond. There’s no doubt Seager will be in the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame one day.
Which Seattle Mariners jersey you purchase next? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.