MLB ’13 The Show: Seattle Mariners

Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

This weekend, the ratings from MLB ’13: The Show were leaked on Operation Sports. As Steve writes, the rosters have been updated as recently as January 24th and may not reflect teams’ final standings when the game is released to the public next month.

Nevertheless, here’s where the Mariners currently stand in batting, pitching, fielding, and overall rankings—and what it may say about them.

Batting

2012 rating: #26
2013 rating: #23

Last year, the Mariners ranked dead last in the league with a .234/.296/.369 slash line, and second-to-last with 1,285 hits (last place being reserved for the Astros’ 1,276 hits).

While Kendrys Morales and Michael Morse will—fingers crossed, knock on wood—add a bit of pop to the lineup, they don’t provide much of a boost in the rankings here.

Pitching

2012 rating: #22
2013 rating: #20

With Felix Hernandez, the M’s have bolstered their spot on this list. Hisashi Iwakuma and Erasmo Ramirez briefly spruced up the rotation last season, and the Mariners fell just 9th in MLB with a 3.76 ERA, 7th with a 1.241 WHIP, and a hair below league average with a 99 ERA+.

This season, rotation spots are up for grabs with Danny Hultzen, Joe Saunders, and Hector Noesi (kidding, kidding) in the mix. Considering Felix’s award-worthy 2012 performance, however, their #20 ranking is well-deserved.

Fielding

2012 rating: #18
2013 rating: #23

On the field, the 2012 Mariners tied first in MLB with the Angels for a .788 Defensive Efficiency and tied first with the White Sox for a .988 fielding percentage. With 153 double plays, they came in 9th place overall, no doubt thanks to Brendan Ryan‘s hot glove and 104 double plays turned.

Overall ranking

2012 rating: #27
2013 rating: #23

I’ll spare you the 2012 final standings: I think we all remember how last season ended for the M’s. With a few veteran upgrades in the ‘pen and outfield, an extra promising bat, and the Houston Astros, the Mariners may live up to their new overall ranking in 2013.

Then again, it is just a video game.