Mariners Analysis: The Renaissance of Franklin Gutierrez
Aug 5, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Franklin Gutierrez (30) hits a single in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Franklin Gutierrez has been apart of the Seattle Mariners since 2009. It started off so well, with an 18 home run, .283 average, 85 runs scored season in ’09. He also played 153 games that next season but his average dropped almost 40 points but he did win the Gold Glove. Then from 2011-2013, he averaged just 57 games a season and 49 hits a year. It was injury after injury. He even missed the entire 2014 season.
He ended up missing 475 games due to injury from 2011-2014.
He has played in 26 games this season for the Mariners after starting the year with Tacoma. All he has done is come through in the clutch. We saw that in the Rockies series where he had two go-ahead hits including a two-run home run. He has hit four home runs this season including a walk-off homer and a grand slam. He also is posting an OPS of .886, which might not be sustainable but it would easily be a career high.
If he can finish the season strong and healthy, this would be his best season since 2010 and the most games he has played in since 2011. He has been a welcome bat on a team that has had its share of bad breaks this season. He is hitting .299, which is second best on the team among anyone with at least 20 games under their belt.
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In his last two games, he has four hits, a home run and four RBI. One of the best stats he has this season is that he is hitting .286 with runners in scoring position and .316 when hitting with two outs. He has been clutch for a team that has lacked clutch hitting most of the season.
Gutierrez came into this season on a minor league deal. If he can finish this season, he deserves consideration for 2016. We are finally seeing the Gutierrez that the Mariners traded J.J. Putz for back in the winter of 2008.
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