How Domingo Santana compares to other Mariners’ left fielders

The Seattle Mariners acquired Domingo Santana from the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Ben Gamel and minor league pitcher Noah Zavolas on December 21, 2018.

The Mariners have already made well on this trade with Domingo Santana leading the American League in RBIs with 27 going into April 25.

Ben Gamel is a role-player who, if he had stayed in Seattle, would have been platooning in left fielder facing right-handers. Meanwhile, Noah Zavolas was drafted last year by the Mariners in the 18th round. He probably would not be a member of the Mariners staff for at least two more years if he makes it at all.

Santana had a fantastic season in 2017 at the age of 24 years old. He hit .278 that season with 30 home runs and 85 RBIs. He also had 29 doubles that year as well. When playing in T-Mobile Park, it is important to have a player who can hit a lot of doubles. Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez made a career of hitting 514 doubles going along with 309 home runs.

Over the years, the Mariners have had trouble finding and keeping a good left fielder for a period of time. The best two left fielders the Mariners have had over forty years were Phil Bradley and Raul Ibanez. Bradley was the left fielder for the Mariners for four seasons where his batting average was .301. Ibanez spent 11-and-a-half years in a Mariner uniform and had four solid seasons playing in left field where he drove in over 100 runs in three of them.

I am sure we hope that Santana can be a steady force in left field… at least until their top prospects like Kyle Lewis, Jarred Kelenic, and Julio Rodriguez are ready to make the jump to the majors.

Right now Santana is hitting second in the M’s lineup after beginning the season hitting fifth; however, he has the potential to hit anywhere between second and fifth. I am sure at some point in the season we will be seeing Domingo hitting in either the third or fifth spot on a regular basis. Either one will help the Mariners drive in runs.