Seattle Mariners 2019 Position Preview: First Basemen

DANIEL VOGELBACH

This is Daniel Vogelbach‘s last chance to make it in Seattle. The 26-year-old slugger is out of Minor League options and would likely wind up being claimed by another team if waived this Spring.

It’s unfortunate, given that Vogelbach has yet to see a full-fledge opportunity at the Major Leagues since the Mariners acquired him from the Cubs in 2016. In the limited time he has spent in the Majors, Vogelbach has been mostly unimpressive, slashing a career line of .197/.301/.315 in 61 games. Such a small sample size shouldn’t determine the fate of a player that has predominantly scorched the Triple-A circuit over the last three years.

Luckily for Vogelbach, it appears that he’s in the driver’s seat to break camp with the Mariners. The current lack of left-handed power on the roster – outside of Jay Bruce and Kyle Seager – gives him a big boost, and Edwin Encarnación’s presence seems to be blocking Ryon Healy for the time being.

The concern for Vogelbach, however, isn’t whether or not he makes the team out of Spring Training, but if the Mariners will actually give him significant playing time. Even if Healy fails to make the 25-man roster, how much time at first base will be given to Bruce? Encarnación will have the designated hitter role locked down the majority of the time, so Vogelbach would likely find himself on the bench on the nights Bruce plays – a spot Vogelbach has been in through his countless past call-ups.

If Vogelbach makes the roster, the hope is that he’ll be the team’s starting first baseman. With Evan White set to make his MLB debut by September at the earliest, Vogelbach will have plenty of time to prove his worth as a hitter. If successful, Vogelbach could ride into 2020 as the Mariners’ full-time designated hitter, but only if they give him ample opportunity this season.

Just giving up on Vogelbach would be a tough pill to swallow for most fans. But it’s a real possibility if he fails to produce this Spring.