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What will the Mariners outfield look like on Opening Day 2020?

By Aaron Chantler

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 16: Mallex Smith #0 of the Seattle Mariners dives for this ball that goes for a double off the bat of Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the six inning at Ring Central Coliseum on July 16, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 16: Mallex Smith #0 of the Seattle Mariners dives for this ball that goes for a double off the bat of Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the six inning at Ring Central Coliseum on July 16, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – JULY 26: Mallex Smith #0 of the Seattle Mariners is doused in Gatorade by teammate Tim Beckham during a postgame interview after hitting a walk-off single against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park on July 26, 2019, in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners beat the Tigers 3-2. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JULY 26: Mallex Smith #0 of the Seattle Mariners is doused in Gatorade by teammate Tim Beckham during a postgame interview after hitting a walk-off single against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park on July 26, 2019, in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners beat the Tigers 3-2. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

The Opening Day outfield for the Mariners would be a major improvement defensively than the one we are currently watching. While it might be a light on pop, it would make up for it with speed and two players (Haniger and Bishop) with above-average defensive abilities.

While it is doubtful this would be the Mariners outfield all season long, it wouldn’t be a bad place to start.

The team could look to move Smith and/or Haniger with strong first halves. If Bishop struggles or shows he’s better suited to be a fourth outfielder, then Fraley could slide into his spot. The nice part is there is depth in the minors if injuries occur, and that depth would most likely be in Tacoma rather than the low minors.

Instead of being forced to play guys like Beckham and Negron, the team would have Fraley, Kyle Lewis, and Dom Thompson-Williams in Tacoma waiting for a chance with Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez on the horizon of the upper minors.

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