Jose Marmolejos, Seattle Mariners.
Prior to last season, Jose Marmolejos was a minor league lifer. He spent 11 years working his way to the show. In that time, Marmolejos accumulated 443 runs, 883 hits, 72 home runs, and 469 runs batted with a .288 batting average. More impressive is that at each stop on his long climb he was able to hold his own. So, his inclusion on the Seattle Mariners‘ opening day roster wasn’t a total shock to those in the business. I was shocked. I thought Fraley’s prior big-league experience would serve him well and he’d be another piece to building a championship team.
Marmolejos rewarded manager Scott Servais for his shot at the Major Leagues by going hitless in his first game. His first month in the bigs got off a very poor start: .143 avg, 1 run, 3 hits, 1 HR, and 3 RBI with 7 K’s to 0 BB’s. Not a promising start to his career. Only nine games into 2020, the M’s felt it best that Marmolejos regain some confidence by facing some “minor league” pitching. Granted the Mariners weren’t expected to compete but this lack of production still warranted a demotion.
His time at the M’s alternate training site did the trick for Jose. When Marmolejos returned to Seattle, he started an eight-game hit streak. During this streak, he launched three homers and drove in eight runs. This is what Servais and GM Jerry Dipoto were expecting from Jose. One day after his hit streak broke. Marmolejos put together a six-game hit streak. His batting average rose to a nice .266.
Toward the end of 2020, Marmolejos slumped again. Over the final 12 games, he only managed one hit, sinking his average to .206 for the year.
In mid-August, Marmolejos was close to a lock to be with the Mariners at the start of 2021. By mid-September, the doubts crept back in. He’ll have to earn his spot all over again in Spring Training.
So, where does he fit in with the Seattle Mariners for 2021? Left field, first base, and DH are still up for grabs. Hold up, first base? That’s where reigning Gold Glover Evan White plays. White’s spot could be in jeopardy if he doesn’t hit better. We know about White’s glovework but if he continues to hit below .200 (.176 last year), Servais may reconsider the first base job.
There is possibly one open outfield spot to start the 2021 season. Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis has control of CF. A returning and healthy Mitch Haniger will continue in right. That leaves left field ripe for the taking. Until healded prospect Jarred Kelenic arrives in the show.
There are a few other candidates for this spot, with Dylan Moore heading the list. Last season super-utility man hit .255 with some pop and speed. Those thinking that Moore is a lock to play second base might want to hold off. He’ll have some competition there with Ty France. Servais recently said France is going to be playing nearly every day. Where specifically Scott didn’t say but second or designated hitter is a good bet. Apparently, Shed Long Jr. is also in the conversation. He struggled big-time at the plate last year but is much better defensively than Moore or France.
The South Florida native recently caught a break in his quest to earn a roster spot when the Seattle Mariners lost Phil Ervin and Tim Lopes to waiver claims. Both Ervin and Lopes were also contenders for the third outfield spot. Marmelojos is no defensive wizard in the outfield but he wasn’t the worst outfielder the M’s have seen in recent years either. That honor goes to Domingo Santana who looked more lost out there than a four-year-old in a food court at the mall.
It’s my opinion that Marmolejos’ future with this team is as a designated hitter. He has something going for him that the Seattle Mariners need, a left-handed bat with power. Jose may not be in the mold of Edgar Martinez or David Ortiz in terms of typical DH productivity. But, I believe Marmolejos can be an Adrian Gonzalez type DH. He’ll hit for a good average, with respectable HR and RBI totals.
As previously mentioned, should White’s struggles hitting major league pitching continue, Jose could be the team’s opening day first baseman. If he does play there, Marmelojos has a good enough bat to keep the job for a while. He may not be everyone’s first choice for playing first base but then that was the same thinking for the starting left field spot.
The best thing Marmolejos can do is get off to a hot start in spring training and carry it over into the regular season. His hit stick is his calling card. All he has to do is continue with what got him to the Majors in the first place, hit. That wins him a place on the Mariners Opening Day roster.
Do you think Jose Marmolejos has a role with the Seattle Mariners in 2021? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.