Seattle Mariners 2019 Position Preview: First Basemen

PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Seattle Mariners poses for a portrait during photo day at Peoria Stadium on February 18, 2019 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Edwin Encarnacion #10 of the Seattle Mariners poses for a portrait during photo day at Peoria Stadium on February 18, 2019 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next

RYON HEALY

SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 04: Ryon Healy #27 of the Seattle Mariners looks back at the review in center field after popping out to right field in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field on September 4, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 04: Ryon Healy #27 of the Seattle Mariners looks back at the review in center field after popping out to right field in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field on September 4, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

Ryon Healy hits dingers, but doesn’t do a whole lot else well. In his first season with the Mariners, Healy hit 24 bombs; he also slashed an abysmal line of .235/.277/.412 and walked only at a 5.2% clip. Additionally, Healy has failed to put together a consistent approach at the plate and too often winds up in self-made holes by chasing bad pitches.

The transition from third base to first was a natural evolution for a player his type, and the 27-year-old Healy played the position average at best. Overall, it was a poor year for a promising young player that turned heads during his time with Oakland.

For now, Healy appears to be on the outside looking in to the 25-man roster. Given the multiple remaining Minor League options on his deal, Healy isn’t a necessity to keep at the MLB level and the Mariners could see the benefit of him spending some time in Triple-A Tacoma. Having the right-handed hitting Edwin Encarnación on the roster for now doesn’t help Healy’s chances either.

High power, high strikeouts has been a theme of past Mariners first basemen. Until Healy shows true progression in his plate discipline, this trend would only continue.