Seattle Mariners young outfielders struggling early
The Seattle Mariners’ top-ranked farm system is starting to make its way into the Major Leagues. Two of their most promising outfielders are already up.
Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez are some of the top Seattle Mariners prospects for the last two years. The answers as to whether they will be superstars, average players, or busts is a matter of time.
Kelenic was brought up last year on May 13. He had trouble hitting, with an average of .096, when he was sent back down to Tacoma on June 7. He returned to the M’s on July 16 and stayed in the Majors for the rest of the season.
His struggles at the plate continued through August. Then in September, he looked more like a Major Leaguer, though it was still not fantastic. He hit .242 with seven home runs and 18 RBI. Kelenic finished with a .181 average, 14 home runs, and 43 RBI.
This year, Kelenic is off to another slow start, batting .172 as of April 19. Though not great, still better than his 2021 start. It’s not just him; many of the Seattle Mariners position players are struggling at the plate as well. In another month, we should have a better idea of his adjustments to big league pitching.
Defensively, he looks more comfortable playing the corner outfield spots than in centerfield.
1️⃣1️⃣0️⃣ off the bat for @jarredkelenic. pic.twitter.com/YoR9TXhvMc
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 20, 2022
Will J-Rod have a similar rookie year as Jarred?
Julio Rodriguez has gotten off to a tough start this season in much the same manner as Kelenic did. As of April 19, Rodriguez is batting .125, including 16 strikeouts in 32 at-bats. To his detriment, some of them have been questionable calls by the umpires.
Despite the offensive woes, Rodriguez is playing solid defense in center. If he continues to struggle, will the Mariners send him to Triple-A and then recall him later in the season like they did Kelenic?
What separates J-Rod from Kelenic is his demeanor. The rookie has a good head on his shoulders and doesn’t take the frustrations in the same way Kelenic does.
M’s manager Scott Servais may have to sit Rodriguez down against the other teams’ aces. It would be good for the young man to see them from the bench.
Stars or not?
I can’t say which one, Kelenic or Rodriguez, will be the superstar if there is only one of them breaks through. Both have the talent to do so, but the money is on Rodriguez. Hopefully, there won’t be a choice, and together they lead the Seattle Mariners to the promised land with several appearances in the World Series.
Julio Rodríguez has already struck out looking ELEVEN times this season. Maybe you can see why he has so many. pic.twitter.com/4DPj6xxn7a
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) April 18, 2022
Do you think Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez are stars in the making, or do the Seattle Mariners have a pair of average, at best, players? Let us know in the comments section below.