Seattle Mariners player milestones to follow in the 2020 season
The 2020 MLB season is 60 game sprint, but some current and former Seattle Mariners players are chasing important milestones.
It’s busy these days at T-Mobile Park as the Seattle Mariners prepare to play baseball in 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, and a mini labor war, this season is only 60 games. Although the MLB season is abridged, there are some interesting personal stats that current and former M’s players can reach. Some of them are personal, and a few others are team related. Then there is a fan favorite who is flirting with MLB history.
Current Mariners
These are some of the exciting plateaus Mariners fans can watch for in 2020.
Mitch Haniger
If Mitch Haniger returns in August, as expected, the outfielder is only 11 RBI short of 200 in his career.
Mallex Smith
Mariners center fielder Mallex Smith needs two more runs scored to reach 200.
Marco Gonzales
The current Seattle Mariners staff ace, Marco Gonzales, enters the 2020 season ranked 27th on the team’s all-time list in both wins (30) and strikeouts (322). He is six wins and 51 K’s away from 20th place in each category. In 2019 Gonzales led the team in WAR (Wins over Replacement). Only one other Mariners pitcher has led the team in WAR two consecutive seasons. That would be Mark Langston in 1997 and 1998.
Dee Gordon
Dee Gordon has played just two seasons in Seattle and is already 21st in Mariners history with 14 triples. His contract is up this year, so this is likely his last season with the M’s, but he can go out with a bang. It will be challenging, but five three-baggers more put him among the top ten. Additionally, Gordon has 330 career stolen bases. Only 115 MLB players have 350 or more. With the Seattle Mariners, he has 52 steals, 18 more, which is tough, but doable, makes him only the 13th M’s player to reach 70.
Kyle Seager
The longest-tenured Seattle Mariners player is chasing some lofty goals. Kyle Seager needs two home runs to reach 200 for his career. Only three others have hit that many in a Seattle Mariners uniform, Ken Griffey Jr. (407). Edgar Martinez (309), and Jay Buhner (307).
He needs 38 more hits to pass Buhner for fourth place in team history. Buhner also gets passed up for fourth in at-bats if Seager gets 168 more. Three runs scored gets Seager to 600, and 31 puts him ahead of A-Rod for fifth. Finally, the third baseman has 666 career RBI, one behind Alvin Davis fourth in team history.
Scott Servais
Mariners skipper Scott Servais is second to Lou Piniella in almost every important managerial category. Last season’s 68-94 debacle put him six games under .500 for his career. If Seattle can go 34-26 in 2020, with Servais at the helm, he once again becomes the second M’s manager (after Piniella) to have a better than .500 record with the team.
Blasts from the past
Seattle Mariners fans may be interested in a few former members of the team who are chasing significant milestones as well this year.
Robinson Cano (2014-18)
Robby is in some rarefied air these days. He is the all-time leader among second basemen with 324 home runs. Should he hit 16 more, Cano ties Ron Santo for number 100 all-time, regardless of position. Only five, second basemen have driven in 1,300 or more RBI, and they are all in the Hall of Fame. Cano has 1,277. Finally, his 2,570 hits currently put him in 92nd all-time. At 2,600, Cano ties Steve Garvey for 83rd.
Nelson Cruz (2015-18)
So far Nelly has 401 career homers. Seven more and he passes Duke Snider for 56th all-time.
Which one of these milestones are you looking forward to in 2020? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.