Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners.
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.
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.
Does Dipoto trade Haniger for another return of young talent like he got from San Diego for Austin Nola? Or does he keep the right fielder on the roster? How the team fares between now and the deadline will play a big role in Dipoto’s decision. The M’s have several quality young outfielders in their organization.
Of course, no prospect is guaranteed to be a Major League star, but the trio of Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez, and Taylor Trammell all placed in MLB.com’s Top 100 prospects. As of now, Kelenic’s arrival is imminent. Rodriguez is at least a year away, but no one would be surprised if he got a cup of coffee in Seattle this year. Although Trammell is on the current M’s roster, he looks overmatched by Major League pitching. A demotion is likely in his future.
Currently, Haniger is the only proven MLB outfielder. Kyle Lewis has done well over his short time up in the majors. He’s yet to play a full, normal MLB season. It will be interesting to see how he holds up around Game 120 in the heat of August.
In the end, Lewis will be just fine. I believe in a Seattle Mariners outfield of Lewis, Haniger, and Kelenic. To me, these guys are close to sure things. To a lesser degree, I believe in Rodriguez and Trammell. The odds point to not all five of these guys succeeding in the big. At least one, maybe two, will not live up to their hype. If they do, it’s a great “problem” for DiPoto and Servais, five quality outfielders for three spots.
Haniger is back, though! M’s fans and the organization are ecstatic. The national media guys have already penciled in Trey Mancini as the American League Comeback Player of the Year. He is very much deserving of the award, without question. Cancer is scary, no doubt. Scarier than a ruptured testicle, for sure.
However, in my opinion, Haniger is just as deserving. Additionally, he’s currently playing a lot better than Mancini. The M’s have more games than the Orioles. At some point, the play on the field has to tip the scales. Similar to last year’s AL Rookie of the Year race, Hamiger will have to stand out even more to pick up enough votes.
If the season keeps breaking the Mariners’ way, 2021 can be a special year. The M’s nearly two-decades-long playoff drought could come to a merciful end. They might even have back-to-back A.L. Rookie of the Year winners (Lewis and Kelenic). Heck, maybe even Scott Servais and Dipoto win Manager and General Manager of the year too.
Then there is our subject Mitch Haniger who is on a trajectory for an All-Star appearance and Comeback Player of the Year. It’s all possible right now. Consequently, it all starts with the leadoff guy, Mitch Haniger. It’s great to see him back and having such tremendous success.
How do you feel about Mitch Haniger’s return to the Seattle Mariners? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.