Bold Prediction: The Mariners Will Have Two All-Star Outfielders in 2019

If Spring Training has shown Mariners fans something to look forward to, it’s the future of their young outfield.

Not a soul doubts Seattle’s motive to rebuild, or ‘re-tool,’ the roster. GM Jerry Dipoto and other front office members have fully embraced the change, in fact. But the Mariners are in no typical rebuild, and their outfield is the perfect example why.

Seattle never quite found a perfect formula for the outfield in 2018. The Dee Gordon experiment in center field was short lived, set aside by an 80-game suspension handed to second baseman Robinson Cano in mid-May that forced Gordon back into the infield.

Ichiro’s season ended abruptly after taking a front office position in early May. The acquisition of Denard Span was vital for a playoff push, but certainly did not solve the issue of finding an everyday core.

Guillermo Heredia, who earned additional playing time after a red-hot April, cooled down. An abysmal month of July led to the desperate trade for Cameron Maybin before the trade deadline. And just before the Mariners went off the rails, the then-.290 hitting Ben Gamel was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.

But now, as the Opening Series in Japan is now under two weeks away, the outfield is far from similar. The Mariners elected to buyout the remainder of Span’s contract. Maybin signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants, and Heredia and Gamel were traded to the Rays and Brewers, respectively.

Throughout the process of trades, contract buyouts, and free agent signings, Jerry Dipoto found his outfield. With Mitch Haniger in right field, Mallex Smith and Domingo Santana will join him for an everyday group that should stay put for at least the next two seasons.

Dipoto expects the Mariners to contend by 2021 and shows optimism for the 2020 season. This year is considered by the front office as time to progress towards that goal, but their outfield talent is already a playoff-caliber group.

Mitch Haniger is the one remaining starting outfielder for Seattle heading into 2019. After earning his first All-Star selection last July, his performance post-break even more impressive, hitting .329 from August 1 on.

With Haniger already considered a star and two new additions with massive potential, Seattle could realistically have two all-star outfielders in Cleveland for the 2019 Midsummer Classic.

If you haven’t heard much about Mallex Smith or Domingo Santana, be excited. Both are controlled through at least 2021 and are 25 and 26 years old, respectively.

Smith was acquired by the Mariners along with OF Jake Fraley in the trade that sent catcher Mike Zunino, OF Guillermo Heredia and SP Michael Plassmeyer.

In 141 games with Tampa Bay last year, Smith slashed .296/.367/.406, highlighted by 10 triples and 40 stolen bases.

Smith, who is currently nursing an upper forearm muscle strain, looks to maintain a ~.300 average and consistently man center field upon his return.

.300 hitters are All-Star worthy. Just ask Jean Segura, who hit .304 for Seattle last season and rode an incredible “Send Segura” campaign into Washington before blasting a three-run home run into the left field bullpen during the Midsummer Classic.

But hitting .300 is not a pre-requisite for All-Star consideration. Home runs and power continue to increase in popularity and carry similar value to that of a high batting average. Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton has never hit the .300 mark in his career, yet hit 59 home runs in his MVP season with the Miami Marlins.

This is where new Mariners left fielder Domingo Santana could make his case for a trip to Cleveland this July. Santana is just a year removed from a 2017 campaign with the Brewers that featured a 278/.371/.505 slash and 30 home runs.

Featured in my edition of SoDo Mojo’s “My Guy Series,” Domingo could only watch as Milwaukee pursued two star outfielders in Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain to pair with long-time Brewer Ryan Braun. Both would go on to be National League All-Stars, with the former winning MVP.

Santana’s plate appearances dropped to 235 in 2018 compared to 607 the year before. Unable to consistently earn at-bats, his stats suffered, as his slash line fell to .265/.328/.412, mustering only 5 home runs.

Now primed to start once again, Santana is aiming for a bounce-back season. And he is well on his way to a big year, already hitting .455/.520/1.091 with 4 home runs this spring in 25 plate appearances (yes, you read that correctly).

Spring Training stats should be taken with a grain of salt, and such a slash line is not sustainable. But Santana has shown power, accruing more extra base hits than singles. His home runs were not ‘cheap’ — they were no-doubters, well beyond the outfield wall.

But one obstacle in two Mariner outfielders reaching the All-Star game is out of their control — other players.

An overstock of talent could ruin Seattle’s hopes of seeing two All-Star outfielders. Mike Trout (Angels), Mookie Betts (Red Sox), and Aaron Judge (Yankees) are already considered heavy favorites as All-Star starters. The newest theory is whether the Red Sox outfielders can sweep the Gold Glove award, all winning for their respective position — something that has never been accomplished by any one trio.

There are all-star reserves, but possibly just not enough spots for Seattle. George Springer (Astros), Andrew Benintendi (Red Sox), and others could look to spoil any chances the Mariners have in sending Smith or Santana to Cleveland to pair with Mitch Haniger.

Regardless of an All-Star selection, fans have a young trio to rally behind. All with star potential and control for at least the next three seasons, the Mariners seem to have found their everyday core.

Just don’t be surprised if Domingo Santana or Mallex Smith wind up in the Midsummer Classic.