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The Top 5 Seattle Mariners of the 2018 Season… So Far

By Ty Gonzalez

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 16: The Seattle Mariners American League All-Stars pose during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Nationals Park on July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 16: The Seattle Mariners American League All-Stars pose during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Nationals Park on July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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The Mariners have had quite the rollercoaster of a season. Every player has endured the ups and downs concurrently with the results of the team as a whole. These are the players who either didn’t fall victim to the lows for too long, or  maintained a level of success throughout the good, the bad, and the ugly.

There is roughly a month remaining in the 2018 season and the Mariners are on the outside looking in to the playoff picture. However, the team’s recent stumbles should not overshadow the successes of quite a few Mariners this season.

With their playoff hopes hanging by a dwindling thread, let’s take a step away from the negative and focus on the positive. I would like to acknowledge those that have filled this season with excitement, hope, and overall joy.

These Mariners not only showcase their brilliance on the field, but off it with the way they’ve transformed this team into a family.

Without further ado, let’s get on to the fifth best Mariner of the 2018 season.

5. DH NELSON CRUZ

SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 18: (EDITORS NOTE: Alternative crop) Kyle Seager #15 celebrates with Nelson Cruz #23 of the Seattle Mariners after hitting a three run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during their game at Safeco Field on August 18, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 18: (EDITORS NOTE: Alternative crop) Kyle Seager #15 celebrates with Nelson Cruz #23 of the Seattle Mariners after hitting a three run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during their game at Safeco Field on August 18, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

2018 stats (as of 8/29/18): .266 AVG / 32 HR / 81 RBI / .887 OPS / 2.5 fWAR

Jack Zduriencik is a stain that bleeds through the pages of Mariners lore, but he did give us Nelson Cruz. For that, I have to give him a very small amount of respect.

When Cruz was signed in 2014, the narrative was that his 40 home run season in Baltimore was a mere fluke and his power would not translate successfully to Safeco Field. Over the past three seasons, Cruz has silenced his doubters with seasons of 44, 43, and 39 home runs, and currently sits at 32 this year.

Not only has he hit for power in Seattle, but has been a high on-base presence on a consistent basis.

Cruz is now 38-years-old and, as older age in professional sports goes, injuries begin to rear their ugly head. Despite being hindered by multiple ailments over the course of the 2018 season, Cruz has still been a dominant force in the middle of the Mariners lineup.

Not a whole lot else can be said about Cruz except for a message I’d like to personally send to the Mariners’ front office:

RE-SIGN THIS MAN.

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