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Baseball

The Seattle Mariners' Journey in 2024 and the Promise of 2025

2024-11-25

Last season presented a challenging time for the Seattle Mariners and their star player Julio Rodriguez. At one point, they were on track to set a dismal record for hitters' strikeouts in a single season and ended up at the bottom. Julio Rodriguez, a two-time All-Star and 2022 American League Rookie of the Year, had his worst professional season. He faced an ankle injury that kept him out of the outfield for a month and saw his numbers dip. However, there were signs of improvement in September. Entering the month with a.259 batting average and 13 home runs, he ended the year with a 3.8 fWAR, lower than his previous seasons. But FanGraphs' ZiPS Projections are optimistic about the Mariners' lineup and particularly Rodriguez. It predicts him to return to form in 2025 with a 5.8 fWAR, almost a full point higher than the second-highest projected position player. The website projects him to have a near-30-30 season with 30 home runs and 30 steals. His projected stats also include a.275 batting average, 88 RBIs, and 28 steals, along with a 134 wRC+ and an.809 OPS.

Developing a Rapport with Hitting Coach Edgar Martinez

Julio Rodriguez developed a strong connection with hitting coach Edgar Martinez. This relationship is expected to have a positive impact on his game. Even though Martinez won't be in the same full-time role in 2025, his presence within the team will still be felt. Seattle's President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto believes that giving Rodriguez more plate appearances in Spring Training can help avoid a slow start to the regular season. These factors contribute to the belief that Rodriguez is set for a bounce-back year in 2025.

Mariners' Offseason Moves and Their Impact

The Seattle Mariners made some offseason moves that could potentially influence the team's performance. They re-signed former Cincinnati Reds prospect Nick Payero to a minor league deal, adding to their pitching depth. Additionally, former Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays reliever Casey Lawrence clinched a top-three finish for the United States in the Premier12 Baseball Tournament. These moves show the team's efforts to strengthen and diversify their roster.

Fan Expectations and the Team's Potential

Since Rodriguez debuted in 2022, there has been a common belief that the team's success depends on him. If he can live up to the projections and perform at a high level in 2025, the Seattle Mariners could have a successful season. The team's management and fans alike are hopeful that Rodriguez's bounce-back year will lead to greater achievements for the entire organization. The Mariners' performance in 2025 will be closely watched as they aim to build on their past and move forward.