Seattle Mariners: The Meetch is back and as good as ever
After missing nearly two seasons with injuries, Mitch Haniger is back with the Seattle Mariners. Not only is he back, but Haniger is also their best hitter.
Mitch Haniger is back, baby! Ok, so Return of the Mitch doesn’t have the same ring as “Return of the Mack,” but it’s so great to see him in the Seattle Mariners lineup again. He hadn’t been on the field since June of 2019. Back then, a freak foul tip against the Astros in 2019 resulted in, among other things, a ruptured testicle and several other corresponding injuries and setbacks. With his good start to 2021, his injury and long rehabilitation are in the rearview mirror.
Return of the Meetch
Regardless, Haniger is looking close to his former All-Star self. He is winning the Seattle Mariners triple crown with a .268 batting average, eight home runs, and 23 RBI. Mitch also leads the team in runs scored (20), slugging percentage (.563), and OPS (.871).
Manager Scott Servais uses him frequently as the M’s leadoff hitter. With all the injuries he’s had over the last couple of years, it’s no surprise, Haniger doesn’t have any stolen bases. Even though I believe a team’s best hitters need to be at the top of the order, I just never pegged him as a leadoff guy. The way he can hit, I thought Haniger would be in the third or fourth slot. Because Haniger is such a spark plug, he might be the best leadoff hitter the M’s had since Ichiro.
As one of the earliest fans of Mitch, I am thrilled to watch him play this year. I’ll be honest I’m a bit shocked by his early-season success. If this success continues, Haniger will be looking at a return to the All-Star game. He’ll also present a very interesting dilemma for Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto as the trade deadline nears.