Seattle Mariners Top Five Impact Rookies to Watch in 2020
Jake Fraley, Seattle Mariners.
Honorable Mention
Tim Lopes – The career minor leaguer finally got his call up last season. An infielder by trade, Lopes had the first outfield action of his professional career when Mariners manager Scott Servais put him in left field on August 6. His versatility will keep him on the roster, but if he shines at the plate as he did last year (.270 average, .359 on-base percentage), Lopes will also see action as a DH against lefties.
5. Jake Fraley – Left Field
Jake Fraley (and his wooly beard) is the primary beneficiary of Mitch Haniger‘s absence. After rupturing a testicle last June and several accompanying conditions, Haniger won’t be ready for some time. One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. Fraley gets his shot.
Acquired along with Mallex Smith from Tampa Bay in the Mike Zunino trade, Fraley continued his minor league dominance last year, first at Arkansas, then at Tacoma. A strong hitter, he finished 2019 with 19 home runs, 22 stolen bases, and .910 OPS. That was good enough to get him 40 Major League at-bats in September.
Fraley wasn’t quite as successful during his Seattle debut, batting a humbling .150 in the bigs. He did, however, lay a solid foundation for 2020. Bet on him being more like the hitter that succeeded in the minors rather than the one that failed in his brief MLB audition. Unless Fraley struggles mightily this year, he’ll be in left field every day.
Making things happen on his first day at the office. 😤#TrueToTheBue x Jake Fraley pic.twitter.com/WUUtlBrW33
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 21, 2019