Seattle Mariners 2020 Review/2021 Preview – Outfield
Kyle Lewis, Seattle Mariners.
Star of the show
Seattle Mariners fans got a brief taste of what Kyle Lewis could do at the end of 2019. During his September call up, the young slugger hit six long balls in just 71 at-bats.
Kyle Lewis was by far the best player on the Seattle Mariners this season. So much so that Lewis may be the American League Rookie of the Year. Superstar is written all over him. He got off to a hot start with a ten-game hitting streak, batting .425 including three home runs and nine RBI’s.
The rookie center fielder came back down to earth in August, hitting .286. The slump continued over the final month of the season. From August 29 to the end of the season on September 27, Lewis hit .141 with five extra-base hits, .554 OPS, and 36 strikeouts in 85 at-bats.
Maybe his slide was caused by him trying to carry the offense by himself. Then again, opposing hurlers could pitch around him without fear of someone else making them pay for it. Whatever the reason, his patience slipped, and he started to chase pitches. Patience improves with maturity and experience, but it’s something he needs to work on this winter.
Lewis ended the season with a slash line of .262/.364/.437/.801 with 11 home runs and 28 RBI. Despite his late-season challenges at the plate, Lewis played stellar defense in center field all year. He made several outstanding catches, including robbing a couple of home runs. His play in center reminded long-time M’s fans of Ken Griffey Jr.
If only the Mariners had close to the same production from their left or right fielders.