Seattle Mariners: Answering 3 “What-Ifs” for 2022
What if Julio Rodriguez makes the team out of spring training?
Going back to the first question, this is a great problem to have. According to all the prospect rankings, Julio Rodriguez is the Seattle Mariners’ next great homegrown talent. He has the potential to put up Ken Griffey Jr.-like production in the M’s outfield.
Even if J-Rod kills it in spring training, he’s headed for Tacoma. Lost in the hype of Rodriguez being a 21-year-old phenom is that he’s 21 with just over 200 games of minor league experience and only 46 at the Double-A level. He needs more seasoning. Starting him with the Rainiers also gives Dipoto some time to wheel and deal.
The better question is, what happens if Rodriguez produces at Tacoma this year the way he did at Arkansas in 2021? It’s a more realistic expectation than him breaking camp with the team.
In that scenario, J-Rod gets a mid-season call-up for his first taste of The Show. It also presents a slight lineup problem that isn’t four outfielders for three spots. If there are no major injuries, aside from Kelenic, Toro/Frazier, and possibly catcher Cal Raleigh, as part of a platoon with Tom Murphy (R), Seattle’s lineup is overloaded with right-handed bats.
Out of Seattle’s lefty or switch hitters, only Kelenic is a legitimate power bat to put in the middle of the order. The Mariners and especially Rodriguez will see a steady stream of right-handed pitchers. Someone has to go in a trade for a lefty. The most likely candidates are Haniger or Lewis.
None of the above includes Dipoto’s pursuit and hopefully signing of third baseman Kris Bryant, who is also a righty.