Mariners Analysis: Who's Hot and Who's Not

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Jun 21, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; New Seattle Mariners hitting coach Edgar Martinez smiles as he stands at the rail during a game aHouston Astros at Safeco Field. The Astros won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to another week of the Mariners Market, where someone is going to have to convince me that the Mariners’ aren’t trying to make this incredibly difficult on me. Once a week I give a brief overview on how the Mariners have played, as well as who’s stock has been rising, and who’s has been falling. Also in this post I discuss a move that I would like to see happen, either between the Mariners and one of their affiliates, or between the Mariners and another organization.

The Mariners frustrating season continues, and at this point I really don’t know what else to say. I feel like every week I come back and sound like a broken record, as this teams’ hitting as let them down once again. The M’s had a golden chance to sweep the division leading Houston Astros, but couldn’t finish it off as they fell 6-2 in the series finale on Sunday. Overall, the Mariners finish the past week at 4-3. While you would’ve liked for the M’s to finish this week with a sweep of the Astros’, with the way this season has gone, you certainly can’t complain about a 4-3 week.

That being said, the Mariners Market is all about individual performances, and in this slideshow I will look into who’s been hot for the Mariners in the past week, and who has not.

Next: Robinson Cano

Jun 19, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) slides safely into home around the tag of Houston Astros catcher Hank Conger (10) in the third inning to put the Mariners up 3-1 at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Robinson Cano

Just yesterday I wrote about how Robinson Cano has been struggling which you can read here. But in the past week we have seen a little bit of an emergence of Robbie Cano. In the last seven days, he is hitting .304 (7-23) with two runs scored and two doubles. While these numbers are encouraging, I would still like to see him prove that he can hit to all fields like MLB fans were so accustom to seeing.

The Mariners’ need Cano to regain the form that saw him finish 5th in MVP voting in 2014 in order to get back into contention. He showcased that a little bit this week, especially this weekend, having two RBIs against the Astros. But like I touched on in the link that I provided, I will not believe that Cano is back until he can prove that he can hit to the opposite field with some power.

Next: Tom Wilhelmsen

Jun 2, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen (54) reacts after getting a double play to end the tenth inning against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Tom Wilhelmsen

Tom Wilhelmsen was a staple in the Mariners’ pen last year, always reliable and someone who Lloyd McClendon knew he could count on. So far this season though, the hard throwing ex-bartender just hasn’t been the same. Shortly into the season he was shelved on the DL with an elbow injury. Since coming back, he hasn’t been the power arm that M’s fans have come to know.

In the past week Wilhemlsen has registered an ERA of 21.00, giving up seven earned runs in just three innings of work. His fastball hasn’t looked at all the same, as he hasn’t been able to locate it one bit. His fastball velocity is also down from his 95.5 mph career average to 94.1 mph this year. The opposition is hitting .296 off the imposing right-hander so far this year, and that is the most concerning number of all. The M’s bullpen is far thinner than they were last year, and the M’s desperately need Tom to regain form.

Next: Nelson Cruz

Jun 19, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) tosses his bat after drawing a bases loaded walk in the first inning to score first baseman Logan Morrison (20) from third against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Nelson Cruz

It was only a matter of time for the veteran slugger to cool down, and he is just starting to reach that point. In his last seven games Cruz is just 4 for 22 with a homerun and three RBIs. But, all is not lost, as he has been able to work six walks in the process. I wouldn’t read too much into this to be completely honest. Baseball is an incredibly tough game, and you are going to have you peaks and valleys. But I think teams are starting to realize that they have to make anyone but Nelson Cruz beat them, and he is getting very few pitches to hit because of it.

Regardless of his recent struggles, Cruz still sports an impressive batting average of .315, and an even more impressive OBP of .382. What this does show is how much the Mariners’ have been relying on him, and how much they need him. When the 34-year-old slugger is struggling, this lineup has an incredibly tough time piecing anything together. It’s unfair to ask so much from someone, but the M’s really need to get Cruz going again, or this offense will go from awful, to unbearable.

Next: Taijuan Walker

Jun 15, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (32) pitches during the first inning after the game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Taijuan Walker

Prince Tai has finally shown the baseball world why Mariners’ fans have been drooling over him since he was a teenager. Taijuan Walker has been absolutely sizzling; at some points draw dropping, and for M’s fans everywhere, must see TV.

The fastball is absolutely lethal, and the smoothest looking 95-97 mph fastball that I have ever seen. But the biggest key to Walker’s recent success has been his changeup, which has been flat out nasty during the month of June. It keeps hitters off balance, and it gives hitters something else to think about other than the straight heat that he brings.

In the month of June, Tai has pitched 27 1/3 stellar innings, allowing just 25 hits and posting an incredible 2.63 ERA. Watching him and King Felix for years to come is going to be absolutely incredible. Taijuan Walker has been nothing short of phenomenal in the month of June for the Mariners’.

Next: Mark Trumbo

Jun 4, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners new first baseman Mark Trumbo (35) in the on deck circle in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Mark Trumbo

Mark Trumbo was supposed to bring some more thump to this M’s lineup since he was traded, but his bat has been rather punchless. In the last seven days, he has gone 4-for-20 (.200) with just one homerun and four RBIs.

The M’s were hoping that Trumbo could come in and be a formidable bat in the middle of that lineup, but I’m afraid his best days of baseball are far behind him. He’s a strong dude, as seen with his homerun against the Astros on Saturday, but his bat seems slow right now. His slugging percentage is nothing to speak of, a rather weak .350. Most troubling of all, Trumbo has seven more strikeouts (17) than he does hits (10) in the month of June.

I never understood trading for the 29-year-old, as he brings many of the same qualities to the table as Jesus Montero, who is absolutely killing it in Triple AAA. Calling him up instead of making this trade would’ve made a lot more sense, and kept a couple valuable prospects in the M’s farm system. Unfortunately I don’t expect Trumbo to heat up anytime soon, and I look for this to be a trade we look back on in a couple years and shake our heads.

Next: J.A. Happ

Jun 21, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher J.A. Happ (33) throws in the third inning against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: J.A. Happ

J.A. Happ had been a pleasant surprise so far for the Mariners’, but has been struggling as of late. The southpaw hasn’t been able to back up his impressive start to the season, posting an uninspiring 4.09 ERA in the past seven days. Earlier in the year, Happ was someone who looked to be an offseason steal for the Mariners’, but his 4.11 ERA in June has definitely pumped the breaks on those thoughts.

What has been most disappointing to me when looking at the veteran southpaw’s stats has been his inability to work deep into games. In his past three starts, Happ has gone 2 1/3 innings, 6 innings, and 5 innings respectively. That can’t happen, especially as a veteran. The M’s need him to go deeper into baseball games, giving that bullpen a rest and giving the team some confidence in the process. Hopefully, Happ can turn things around, as his effort in June has been less than stellar.

Next: Stock Trader

Sep 17, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Franklin Gutierrez (21) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Trader: Call up Franklin Gutierrez

Look, I’m tired of typing this, and I am incredibly tired of seeing him tear up Triple A pitching and not getting a chance. Trust me, I already hear the naysayers, he can’t stay healthy and will get hurt eventually. But I don’t see that as a deterrent to why he shouldn’t come up, if anything I see that as another reason to call him up. The Mariners’ won’t be leaning on him or relying on him, they will simply be milking out every last ounce of quality baseball that he has left in him.

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