Seattle Mariners Three Stars of Week 1
STAR #3: Mitch Haniger
Week 1 stat line – .308 average, .953 OPS, 1 HR, 4 hits.
There were quite a few options to put in this spot (see honorable mentions). M’s hope is that this isn’t the last time we see Mitch Haniger as one of our three stars. He led the Mariners in at-bats, hits, and average. Haniger also is tied for the team lead in home runs, runs scored, and is third in OPS for the week.
He is coming off of a fantastic spring where he turned it on towards the end. and that momentum has spilled over into the regular season. There were signs the pre-injury version of Mitch Haniger is back. He also made a spectacular catch along the foul line in right field in Saturday Night’s game. The next day, his home run was absolutely smashed into the Mariners bullpen.
STAR #2: Chris Flexen
Week 1 stat line – 5 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts.
Chris Flexen struggled at the beginning of spring training, but his efforts towards the end of spring (back-to-back outings without giving up a run) created momentum that has carried into the regular season. Flexen lacked the efficiency that Kikuchi displayed but still got the job done in 94 pitches.
He faced 20 batters in the Mariners 4-0 win over the Giants on Saturday. He gave up four hits in his 5 innings of work, but the most encouraging aspect of Flexen’s outing was that he only gave up two hits in 10 at-bats to lefties.
Although the scoresheet looks favorably on Flexen, it could have been worse. He was behind or even in the count to all but four of the hitters he faced. The results make him a Mariners number two star for the week, but the results could’ve just as easily gone the other way.
One of just two right-handed pitchers in the Mariner’s six-man rotation, it’s imperative that Flexen is effective every time he takes the mound. His next projected start is Sunday, April 11th against the Twins and former Angel and Blue Jay Matt Shoemaker.