Seattle Mariners 2021 Grades: Part 2 – Outfielders
Chris Phillips
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Left Field
Left was the Seattle Mariners revolving door. Jarred Kelenic (14 games), Jake Fraley (51 games), Taylor Trammell (14 games), Sam Haggerty (20 games), Dylan Moore (48 games), Jake Bauers (21 games), Braden Bishop (8 games), Shed Long (25 games), Jose Marmolejos (11 games) and Donovan Walton (5 games)
Featuring (so many choices): Jake Fraley
Offense: C+
Fraley isn’t going to match the expectations scouts had for him. However, he proved he can be a starter or, at the very least, a high-end fourth outfielder. 2021 is the best year of his major league career with a slash line of .212/.352/.369/.721
Defense: B
He only committed two errors on the year. Fraley heads into 2022 as the odds on favorite to start in left again.
Intangibles: B-
While some might want to classify Fraley as a glove-only outfielder, 2021 saw him show he can be productive at the plate. Specifically, his 46 walks to 71 strikeouts. The biggest concern about Fraley is his health. This year’s total of 78 games played is the most in his career. It’s hard to be a starter if you can only play about half the year.
Center Field
Jarred Kelenic (77 games), Jake Fraley (16 games), Kyle Lewis (34 games), Taylor Trammell (37 games), Sam Haggerty (2 games).
Featuring: Jarred Kelenic
Offense: C-
Kelenic’s results from his first year in the majors are less than desirable, to put it nicely. His entire rookie season did not go as planned. It started with former team president Kevin Mather’s comments which fueled a service time manipulation debate. Hopefully, 2022 will yield better results. Over the last month, Kelenic batted .237 with six home runs, 17 RBI, 12 walks,26 strikeouts, and two stolen bases.
Defense: C-
Kelenic made no solid claim to unseating Kyle Lewis as the Seattle Mariners starting center fielder. He committed four errors on the year, all of the fielding variety. If Kelenic wants to start in center, he has some work to do. Consequently, he looks like an elite corner outfielder.
Intangibles: C
The young outfielder’s biggest positives are his competitiveness and coachability. Kelenic’s first taste of the majors was abysmal. It included an 0-for-42 hitless streak, which led to a subsequent demotion. Later in the season, Kelenic returned to the show and made more adjustments to Major League pitchers. While his final batting average of .181 wasn’t great, there is hope.
Related story: Seattle Mariners infield grades
What grades would you give the Seattle Mariners outfielders? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.