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Seattle Mariners: 3 M’s who could make the All-Star Game

By Ty Gonzalez

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 21: Yusei Kikuchi #18, Dylan Moore #25, Omar Narvaez #22 and Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners gather for a photo before the start of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 21, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 21: Yusei Kikuchi #18, Dylan Moore #25, Omar Narvaez #22 and Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners gather for a photo before the start of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 21, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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C OMAR NARVÁEZ

SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 31: Omar Narvaez, right, #22 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by Tim Beckham #1 of the Seattle Mariners after hittinga. three-run home run off of starting pitcher Rick Porcello #22 of the Boston Red Sox that also scored Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners and Jay Bruce #32 of the Seattle Mariners during the third inning a game at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 10-8. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 31: Omar Narvaez, right, #22 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by Tim Beckham #1 of the Seattle Mariners after hittinga. three-run home run off of starting pitcher Rick Porcello #22 of the Boston Red Sox that also scored Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners and Jay Bruce #32 of the Seattle Mariners during the third inning a game at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 10-8. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

2019 Stats (through 43 games): .295 AVG, .848 OPS, 8 HR, 20 RBI, 132 wRC+, 1.2 fWAR

As the focus has been primarily put on the significant drop in defensive value from Mike Zunino to Omar Narváez, there’s been little talk about how much of an offensive upgrade the Mariners made at their catching position. Through the first two months of the 2019 season, Narváez has not only been one of the best and most consistent hitters in Seattle’s lineup; he’s also been one of the best hitting catchers in the American League.

Only Mitch Garver and Christian Vázquez have a higher fWAR than Narváez this year, though the former is out for the foreseeable future with an ankle injury and Narváez has better overall numbers than the latter.  While each All-Star roster has historically carried just two catchers apiece, the severe lack of above-average catching in the American League seems to make Narváez an obvious selection.

If selected, however, Narváez wouldn’t be the starter. Those duties are likely to go to Gary Sánchez, who’s had a monster year since returning from the Injured List in late April. Nevertheless, Narváez appears to be the prime backup option and makes the most sense out of every other All-Star candidate on Seattle’s roster.

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