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Mariners Weekly Rundown: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not
The past seven days have been very kind to the Seattle Mariners and their fans. The week began with a series win in Cleveland against the Indians and ended with Seattle taking two of three from the Los Angeles Angels. Overall, the Mariners went 4-2 this week and 6-3 on the road trip.
The Mariners scored a total of 30 runs in 6 games, good for an average of 5 runs per game. Seattle also received some quality pitching performances this week. The M’s allowed 3.5 runs per game, and 21 runs overall.
This past road trip was fun to watch for fans, as the Mariners finally played up to the potential we all believe they have. They’ve proven to be a strong road team in 2016, but their 1-5 record at home is concerning to say the least. Thankfully, they will get a chance to improve on their poor home record this week as they welcome the Houston Astros to town on Monday and will host the Kansas City Royals this weekend.
Today, we will take a closer look at how individual players fared this week. Obviously, with it being such a successful week, there were plenty of M’s who had great showings. We will begin the list by discussing Nelson Cruz, who helped carry the Mariners’ offense.
Next: Nelly Goes Boom
Nelly Goes Boom
Nelson Cruz had a great week at the plate for the Mariners. The 35-year-old outfielder went 7 for 23, good for a .304 batting average. Cruz slugged a pair of home runs and drove in a team high, 7 runs in 6 games. Nelly also posted a .370 on base percentage and slugged .565.
The Dominican Republic native had a remarkable season for Seattle in 2015, and he is off to a fine start this year as well. Cruz has slashed .286/.363/.543 across 70 bats. He has clubbed 4 home runs and tallied 14 RBI through 18 games.
Many expected Cruz’s production to drop off this season, but that has not been the case thus far. The Mariners have a legitimate chance to make the postseason in 2016 if Nelly can keep it going.
Next: Iannetta gets Caught in the Net
Iannetta gets Caught in the Net
Chris Iannetta found himself falling under the “hot” tag during the first couple weeks of the season, but he fell on hard times last week. The veteran backstop posted a dismal .143/.250/.143 slash line with 0 home runs and 2 RBI across 14 at bats. His .393 OPS was the lowest on the team, and he only crossed the plate once all week.
This week may not have been pretty for the 33-year-old, but he is doing a nice job in his first season with the Mariners. Iannetta is hitting .233 on the year with 2 home runs and 5 RBI through 15 games. His .353 on base percentage is fourth on the squad, and his 7 free passes are tied for second.
As is always the case with catchers, what they do behind the plate is far more important than what they do in the batters box. Iannetta has done a great job handling the pithing staff this season, and he has proven to be a more than adequate defender. Personally, I am very pleased with the work Iannetta has done since joining the M’s.
Next: Is Prince Tai Ready to be King?
Is the ‘Fresh Prince of Seattle’ ready to be King?
It was yet another amazing week for Taijuan Walker. The 22-year-old right-hander dominated the Cleveland Indians en route to earning his first win of the season. Walker allowed just 1 unearned run on 3 hits across 6 sparkling innings this week. He fanned 6 and did not issue any free passes. The opposition hit a meager .143 against Tai, and he allowed 0.50 walks/hits per inning.
The Yucaipa, CA product is off to a remarkable start in 2016. Walker is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA through his first 3 outings of the year. He has struck out 14 and walked 2 across 18 innings of work. Prince Tai has limited the opposition to just 0.94 walks/hits per inning.
With Felix Hernandez looking less than Kingly so far this season, it’s fair to wonder if 2016 is the year Taijuan Walker ascents to become the Mariners best pitcher.
Next: Miley needs to make a Comeback
Miley needs to make a Comeback
Wade Miley continues to struggle as a member of the Mariners, as the veteran southpaw went 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in 2 starts last week. He struck out just 5 hitters in 11 innings of work, and issued a team high 6 free passes. The opposition hit .349 against Miley, and he allowed 1.91 walks/hits per inning. Obviously, these are not the kind of numbers the Mariners want to see out of their number three pitcher.
2016 has not gone according to plan for the Southeastern Louisiana alum. Miley has gone 1-2 while posting a 7.04 ERA in 4 outings. He leads the league in hits allowed with 32 and earned runs allowed with 18. Miley has fanned 19 and walked 6 in 23 innings.
Put simply, these kinds of performances are not going to cut it for much longer. The Mariners have a plethora of viable arms pitching in Tacoma right now, and they will not hesitate to make a move. Miley has earned himself one bad month, but he needs to turn it around in May.
Next: A-Bomb shows signs of life
A-Bomb Shows Signs of Life
Adam Lind has gotten off to a sluggish start with the Mariners, but he turned things around in a big way this past week. The 32-year-old led the M’s by getting 8 base hits and posting a .381 batting average in 6 games. He did not homer and only drove in 1 run, but Lind looked much more comfortable in the box. His .391 on base percentage was amongst the best on the team, and his .429 slugging percentage was impressive.
As mentioned earlier, 2016 has not been overly kind to the soon-to-be free agent. Lind has slashed just .260/.269/.300 through 50 at bats this season. The slugging first baseman has yet to leave the yard and has only driven in 2 runs in 16 games. Lind is typically very patient at the dish, but he has only managed to work 1 walk this season.
Hopefully Lind is able to build off this past week moving forward. He is well known for his ability to hit right-handers, and the fact that Seattle faced so many last week likely played a big role in his turnaround. Lind remains one of the key figures in the M’s lineup, so they need him to stay hot.
Next: Aoki is not A-OK
Aoki in not A-OK
Last week was less than spectacular for the Mariners’ leadoff man. Nori Aoki posted a .136 batting average after going 3 for 22 in 6 games. He did hit 1 double, 1 triple, drive in 3 runs and score 4. However, his main job is to get on base and he failed in this regard. Aoki registered a .269 on base percentage and slugged .273.
The 34-year-old has not been quite as productive as advertised this season. The Mariners signed Aoki to be their leadoff man in 2016, but he has slashed just .211/.263/.310 in 71 at bats. He has struck out 11 times and walked 4 times in 18 games. He has played solid defense in left field, but he needs to do a better job of sparking the M’s offense by getting on base.
Next: Cishek Brings Stability to the 9th inning
Cishek Brings Stability to the 9th Inning
Steve Cishek was a perfect 3 for 3 in save opportunities this week. The veteran right-hander posted a 0.00 ERA while pitching 3 perfect innings. Cishek was in complete control in each of his appearances, and rung up 4 punch outs in the process. Needless to say, his performance last week was very encouraging to the Mariners and their fans.
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The lanky Falmouth, MA product has been a revelation in his brief Mariners’ career. Cishek has tallied 4 saves in 4 chances thus far in 2016, and has allowed just 1 run in 8 appearances. He has struck out 9 and walked 1 in 9 innings of work. Cishek has limited the opposition to 0.56 walks/hits per inning.
Considering what M’s fans had to put up with in 2015 (ahem, the Fernando Rodney Experience), Steve Cishek has been the definition of consistency. Hopefully this continues, as a legitimate anchor in the 9th inning could go a long way towards snapping the Mariners’ lengthy postseason drought.
Next: Nate 'Not So Great' Karns
Nate “Not So Great” Karns
Nate Karns was listed as “hot” in last week’s edition of the weekly rundown, but he finds himself back in the “not” pile this week. The Texas Tech alum allowed 5 runs on 5 hits across 5.1 innings during his lone start of the week. Karns struck out 5 and walked 4 en route to picking up a no-decision. He allowed 1.69 walks/hits per inning.
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It has been an inconsistent season so far for the 28-year-old right-hander. Karns is currently 1-1 with a 5.28 ERA in 3 starts. He has struck out 18 and walked 9 in 15.1 innings pitched. The opposition is hitting .279 against Karns, and he has allowed 1.70 walks/hits per inning.
Much like Wade Miley, the Mariners will not be overly patient waiting for Karns to find his rhythm. He has shown flashes of what allowed him to post a 3.67 ERA with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015, but he has yet to put it all together. Cutting down on the free passes will be key if he plans on sticking in the M’s starting rotation.
Next: Smitty has Found his Stroke
Smitty has Found his Stroke
The 32-year-old outfielder has consistently been one of the Mariners’ better hitters this season, and he continued to produce last week. Seth Smith went 5 for 17, good for a .294 batting average. He homered once and drove in 3 runs. Smitty also registered a .381 on base percentage and slugged .471 in 5 games.
Smith has been a possessed man in 2016. He started out red hot in spring training, and he has yet to cool down. The Ole Miss alum’s .308 batting average and .429 on base percentage are both tops on the Mariners. Smith has connected on 2 home runs and driven in 7 runs across 39 at bats.
Next: Mariners Hot Start Away From Safeco Could Challenge 2001 Team Record
Scott Servais has been hitting Seth Smith second against righties during the recent road trip, and the results were very promising. If he can continue to hit for power and average, the M’s offense could become a real threat to opposing pitching staffs this season.