Seattle Mariners: What happens if Taylor Trammell wins a starting job
Outfield prospect Taylor Trammell is off to a hot start in spring training. Here’s a look at who benefits or loses by him winning the starting left field job.
At the start of spring training, Taylor Trammell was somewhat of a forgotten man. The team listed Jake Fraley at the top of their depth chart in left field. This was also the job prized prospect Jarred Kelenic was supposed to win so that he could wipe out any thoughts of service time manipulation the Seattle Mariners harbored.
A week into exhibition games and Trammell is the one turning heads at Seattle Mariners camp in Peoria, Arizona. It shouldn’t be a surprise. MLB Pipeline ranked the young man from Kennesaw, Georgia, in their most recent Top-100 Prospects. Additionally, Trammell was one of the main returns in the seven-player swap General Manager Jerry Dipoto made with San Diego at the trade deadline.
There’s one problem. No one expected Trammell to win the starting left field job this spring. What’s the plan if he does? Right now, the M’s probably don’t have a concrete one. Instead, here’s who or what benefits or gets hurt by Trammell’s arrival.
Good for
Batting order – The Mariners have a righty dominated starting lineup. Third baseman Kyle Seager and shortstop J.P. Crawford are the only lefty hitters in the regular lineup. If Trammell can stay close to his .363 minor league on-base percentage, he’ll be a force.
J.P. Crawford – As the leadoff hitter, Crawford has never looked comfortable. It would be a great weight off Crawford’s shoulders if he could stay in the seven or eight-hole.
Outfield defense – Left field at T-Mobile Park last year was a revolving door. Unfortunately, defense at that position wasn’t a priority. Trammell has a decent glove but, more importantly, can cover plenty of ground. Between him in left and Kyle Lewis in center, opponents should give up fewer hits to the gaps.
Bad for
Jarred Kelenic’s service time – Even if Kellenic’s knee injury isn’t long-term, Trammell playing well keeps Seattle’s top prospect out of the show for a while longer. The Seattle Mariners can keep control of Kelenic’s contract through 2027.
Jose Marmolejos – One of the big reasons why Jose Marmolejos can make the team again in 2021 is because he’s a lefty batter with some pop. Any need for Marmolejos greatly diminishes with Trammell as an everyday player.
Jake Fraley and Braden Bishop – At least one of the two aren’t going to make the opening day roster if Trammell does. If switch-hitting utility man Sam Haggerty also makes the team, both Fraley and Bishop start the 2021 seasons in Tacoma.
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