Mariners News: M’s Sign Travis Ishikawa

Mar 4, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa (45) grounds out during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics during a spring training baseball game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa (45) grounds out during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics during a spring training baseball game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Mariners have agreed to a Minor League deal with two time World Series champion and local Federal Way product Travis Ishikawa.

Travis Ishikawa was born in Seattle, Washington.  He attended Federal Way High School in Federal Way, Washington.  He led his high school baseball team to the state 4A championship as a junior in 2001 and to the title game as a senior in 2002.  He was drafted out of high school by the San Francisco Giants in the 21st round of the 2002 MLB draft.

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The 6-foot-3, 220 pounder made his Major League debut on April 18, 2006 at the age of 22.  He’s had a long career.  He’s bounced around between the minor leagues and several Major League teams and now he is with his 7th team.   In eight seasons in the Majors the lefty has hit .255/.321/.391.  He’s played first base and right field.  He is widely known as a very talented pinch hitter.

Bruce Bochy nick named Ishikawa “Smoky Burgess” because of his knack for pinch hitting.  Smoky is one of the all-time best pinch hitters in Major League Baseball history.  He known as a great pinch hitter for over 18 seasons.

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Ishikawa is known for his post season heroics with the San Francisco Giants.  In two post seasons with the Giants he hit .245/.339/.367 while helping the Giants win two World Series in 2010 and 2014.  His most memorable hit was a game winning home run in game 5 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 32 year old Ishikawa has agreed to a Minor League deal with the Mariners that includes an invite to Spring Training.  The deal will pay him $900,000 if he makes it on to the Major League club.  Jerry Dipoto continues to add players to compete for spots in Spring Training.  With Travis Ishikawa, Dipoto has added a player who has local ties, with knack for pinch hitting and has two World Series rings.  This is an excellent addition to the team for a very low price.