Mariners Spring Training Preview: The Infield

Sep 18, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman

(15) overruns a ball for an error on a hit by Detroit Tigers catcher

(not pictured) in the fourth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

As Matt wrote yesterday, the Mariner’s outfield is full of question marks going into Spring Training.

Fortunately the infield isn’t quite the same positional battle, but that doesn’t mean it’s not valuable to take a look at who might be playing where come Opening Day.

It looks, as of today, like the Mariners are done adding to the infield picture. I am biting my tongue because the last twenty times I’ve made a declarative statement like that on Sodo Mojo I’ve been proven wrong within 48 hours. Even if that is the case, though, it’s time to look at who might be rounding the diamond defensively this season.

Jul 13, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman

(17) celebrates in the dugout with teammates after hitting a 3-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the 6th inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

THE DEPTH CHART:

Before diving into who is going to be playing where, let’s first take a look at the Mariner’s infield depth chart as it stands today. (Note: the rankings on the depth chart are courtesy of mariners.com)

Let’s take it clockwise:

Third Base:

1. Kyle Seager (duh)

2. Willie Bloomquist

3. Nick Franklin (well, because who else?)

4. Carlos Triunfel (he won’t be playing in the MLB any time soon)

Short Stop:

1. Brad Miller (aka Crazy Legs, aka Sergio Millar, aka this is his job to lose)

2. Nick Franklin

3. Willie Bloomquist (does he, like, play more than one position or something?)

Second Base:

1. Robinson Cano (I still can’t F*&^%$# believe he is on the M’s. Even if it was a terrible contract)

2. Nick Franklin

3. Brad Miller

4. Willie Bloomquist (he isn’t listed on mariners.com, but who are they trying to kid here)

First Base:

1. Justin Smoak (the backed-his-way-into-still-having-a-job incumbent)

2. Corey Hart (who should get time in the outfield too)

3. Logan Morrison (ditto to Hart. And also avoided arbitration today with a 1-year deal)

4. Kendrys Morales

5. The fat kid from What’s Happening

6. Raul Ibanez

7. Danny Farquhar

8. Russel Wilson

Okay so maybe 4-8 is a bit of a stretch. But you get what I’m getting at.

Now let’s break them down one by one and see if there isn’t anything we can say about the Mariners infield…

Sep 13, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) dives and throws out St. Louis Cardinals third baseman

(not pictured) during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Short Stop:

Crazy Legs Brad Miller burst onto the scene last year in Seattle as a funny-running, gloveless, baby-faced shortstop. In 76 games he sported a triple slash of .265/.318/.418, with a bulk of his plate appearances coming from the leadoff spot. Impressively, 25 of his 81 hits were for extra-bases, and more impressive 6 of those were triples.

Not only do I expect Sergio to maintain his spot as the leadoff hitter, I expect him to be the opening day starter at shortstop.

However, he does need to work on his fielding and keep himself out of a sophomore slump. In the 68 games where he played some time at short stop– he also played in 13 games at second and 3 games at third– he had 7 errors with a fielding percentage of .972. Now that isn’t terrible, but he found a way to make routine plays harder than necessary. And, shortstop is arguably the most important defensive fielding position (excluding the catcher) and he needs to prove himself so that his pitchers trust him to make the plays on those ground balls.

When it comes to Miller’s backup that’s where it gets tricky. At first I was inclined to say Nick Franklin. However, with super-utility man Willie Bloomquist and a multitude of corner outfielders and first basemen/DHs, it’s questionable if there is an opening day spot on the roster for Franklin.

He had such a promising start to last season, and it looked like he was going to be in the AL ROY conversation. But an absolutely atrocious second half not only killed his numbers, but also his characteristic confidence.

Having him start the year in AAA Tacoma would be invaluable: he would get to mash on PCL pitchers and get his confidence back while also playing every day. And when the inevitable injury comes, or when one of the DH/1B/Outfield guys craps out, Franklin can be called up and be a welcomed addition to the squad.

Because it doesn’t look like he is being traded any time soon, look for him to be in Tacoma to start the year, waiting patiently to get called up at some point during the season.

Dec 12, 2013; Settle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) tips his hat as he is introduced at an interview for fans at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Second Base:

This could very well be the most competitive position battle for the M’s….. I couldn’t even try to type that sentence with a straight face.

Second base is Cano’s. He owns it. He could start the year batting .150 and second base will be his. It isn’t his to lose; it is his for the foreseeable future.

That begs the question of his backup.

As I mentioned, I don’t expect Franklin to start the year in Seattle, so that means backup duties again go to Willie Bloomquist. But, I do think there will be occasions where Miller can sub in. Or even, in a pinch, Ackley can scoot in from centerfield to play second.

An aside: write this down: Dustin Ackley is going to have a good season, like .280/.330/.400 season with stolen bases and great fielding in centerfield. You heard it here first.

But with Cano, much like with Seager, we can expect them to play at least 155 games a piece– barring injuries. So I am confident McClendon can tinker with the lineup well enough on days that Cano or Seager may need some rest.

And now to the most uncertain bag in the infield, first base.

Sep 1, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak (17) fields a ground ball during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Justin Smoak mentioned that Lloyd McClendon told him the starting first base job was his to lose. This was last week on MLB Network Radio’s Inside Pitch.

Whether or not that statement is true, do expect Smoak to be the starting first baseman for the Mariners come Opening Day.

The depth chart says he is flanked by Corey Hart and Logan Morrison. I think Hart will find himself primarily in the outfield rotation. And Logan will be Smoak’s backup, and team/platoon specialist.

There are three reasons I think Smoak will be the starting first baseman:

1. He looked like he might be figuring it out to end last season. He was hitting for more power, and looked more comfortable at the plate– especially as a lefty. Which is why I think he should altogether abandon switch hitting, but that is for another day.

2. He is kickass defensively. In 256 games the last two seasons Smoak has committed only 9 errors, good enough for a .996 fielding percentage. Likewise, he shows great range and instinct at first, providing a solid target and a steady mitt for the other guys around the diamond.

3. Seriously, who is going to take his job? The Mariners didn’t bring in anyone this offseason who looks to be a competitive replacement for Smoak. Sure Hart and Morrison are here, but they look to be platoon guys, or outfield guys, or who-really-knows guys. If the M’s re-sign Kendrys Morales it is another story entirely, but unless Smoak blows it in Spring Training, first base is his for the time being.

That being said, though, this is most certainly Smoak’s last legitimate chance to be an everyday major leaguer in the Pacific North West.

Dec 12, 2013; Settle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) poses for a photo following a press conference at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

So there you have it. If I am right– which is rarely the case– look for Justin Smoak to start at first with Logan Morrison as his backup.

Look for Brad Miller to start at shortstop with Bloomquist as his backup.

Look for Robinson Cano (yes! Robinson Cano) to start at second with Bloomquist as his back up.

And lastly, look for Kyle Seager to start at third with Bloomquist as his backup.

Though the infield seems, on paper, all but wrapped up, there is no doubt this will be an eventful and paramount Spring Training for the Mariners.

And hey, who is this Bloomquist guy anyway?