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Mariners First Half Report Card
Jul 9, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon (23) greets pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) following the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Mariners have been a disappointment to many fans in the Northwest this season, and rightfully so. This team came into the year with high expectations, and they haven’t lived up to those expectations what so ever. Seattle sits at 41-48 and find themselves 7.5 games back in the AL West and 7 games back in the Wild Card.
I am a college student at the University of Missouri, and grades mean everything. So I thought it would be fun for me to reverse the roles a little bit, and to hand out the grades myself for once. So here are my first half grades for every M’s starter, as well as grades for the starting rotation, bullpen, and bench. So without further adieu, Professor Dickens’s grades are in, and they aren’t too nice.
Next: Starting Pitching
Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; American League pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) of the Seattle Mariners throws against the National League during the third inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
B-. The M’s starting pitching was supposed to be the strong point of this team, but so far it just hasn’t been able to find a way to stay healthy. <strong><a href=. SP. Seattle Mariners. STARTING PITCHING
Next: The Bullpen
Jul 7, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) throws against the Detroit Tigers during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
RP. Seattle Mariners. THE BULLPEN. F. The bullpen was arguably the Mariners’ biggest strength last year, and a huge reason as to why they were able to sneak up on so many people. This year, that M’s bullpen that locked people down, is letting them right back into games. <p>Last year the M’s bullpen had an MLB best 2.58 bullpen ERA, with 51 saves while holding opposing teams to a .219 batting average. When the M’s turned to the bullpen, opposing teams knew that it was game over and the M’s were going to lock it up. This year, the M’s bullpen has done a 180 degree turn, and they can’t seem to get any big outs. Their bullpen ERA is a staggering 3.81, a full run worse than it was last year. Seattle relievers are also allowing others to hit .253 against them, way up from the .219 batting average last year.</p> <p>Part of the blame can be put on <strong><a href=
Next: Catcher: Mike Zunino
Jul 9, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) hits an RBI-sacrifice fly against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
MIKE ZUNINO. C-. <p>I love <strong><a href=. C. Seattle Mariners
Next: First Basemen: Logan Morrison
Jul 6, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison (20) hits a three-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Mariners. LOGAN MORRISON. C+. <strong><a href=. 1B
Next: Second Basemen: Robinson Cano
Jul 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) reacts after striking out to end the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
F. I think we can all agree that <strong><a href=. 2B. Seattle Mariners. ROBINSON CANO
Next: Third Basemen: Kyle Seager
Jul 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) reacts to the bench after hitting double in the first inning as Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar (2) walks to the mound at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
B+. <strong><a href=. 3B. Seattle Mariners. KYLE SEAGER
Next: Shortstop: Brad Miller
Jul 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) dives back to first base during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
BRAD MILLER. B-. <strong><a href=. SS. Seattle Mariners
Next: Left Fielder: Seth Smith
Jul 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Seth Smith (7) shakes hands with first baseman Logan Morrison (left) after hitting a solo-homer during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. The Angels defeated the Mariners, 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
B. I wasn’t sold on the offseason move of going out and acquiring <strong><a href=. LF. Seattle Mariners. SETH SMITH
Next: Center Fielder: Austin Jackson
Jul 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Austin Jackson (16) runs to third base against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Mariners. AUSTIN JACKSON. C+. I had big hopes for <strong><a href=. CF
Next: Right Fielder: Nelson Cruz
Jul 7, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) celebrates with right fielder Nelson Cruz (23) following a game winning RBI-single against the Detroit Tigers during the eleventh inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Mariners. NELSON CRUZ. A+. <strong><a href=. RF/DH
Next: DH: Mark Trumbo
Jul 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) celebrates with right fielder Mark Trumbo (35) after Trumbo hit a 2-run home run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. The Angles won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
C+. <strong><a href=. DH. Seattle Mariners. MARK TRUMBO
Next: The Bench
Jul 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Dustin Ackley (13) hits an RBI-fielders choice against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
C-. The Mariners were planning on using a ton of platoon players this year, and using match ups in order to be the best in the AL West. They had <strong><a href=. Subs. Seattle Mariners. THE BENCH
Next: Final Grade
Apr 24, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; The starting battery of Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (second from left) and catcher Mike Zunino (far right) celebrate the win after Hernandez pitched a complete-game shutout against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field. Seattle won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY
Hopefully the M’s can turn this around, and I can be a much easier grader come September. Seattle deserves a winning baseball team, and I firmly believe that the pieces are here. The M’s will have to start out hot coming out of the break, and they can’t keep playing .500 ball like they have all June.
More from Mariners News
- What Jerry Dipoto’s trades, comments mean for remainder of Mariners offseason
- Mariners Select Chris Clarke in Rule 5 Draft
- Thank you for a Memorable Year, Abraham Toro and Jesse Winker!
- Winter Meetings Wrap Up: Checking where the Mariners stand
- A Farewell to Mitch Haniger as he signs with the San Francisco Giants
That being said, using a GPA calculator the grades in, and the M’s check in with a C average for the first half of the season. Looking back I would say that is about accurate, as the M’s have the 23rd best record in baseball.
Let me know what you guys think, how the grades came out, and which grades I got right and which grades you think I got wrong, Let’s hope for a better second half, and Go M’s!
Next: Ketel Marte Hitting 3rd in Triple-A ASG