Seattle Mariners: 3 moments that sparked Kyle Lewis’ ROY

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 14: Kyle Lewis #1 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after robbing Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics of a home run at center field during the first inning in the second game of a doubleheader at T-Mobile Park on September 14, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 14: Kyle Lewis #1 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after robbing Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics of a home run at center field during the first inning in the second game of a doubleheader at T-Mobile Park on September 14, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
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Kyle Lewis of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after robbing a home run.
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 14: Kyle Lewis of the Seattle Mariners holds up his glove after robbing a home run. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)

Mariners’ Kyle Lewis boosts his ROY odds after making one of the plays of the year in September

On September 14th, when Kyle Lewis was struggling with his offense and losing some traction in the ROY campaign, he made the best play of the season in 2020. Lewis was hot in the first half of the season but quickly dropped off in September. Luckily, Luis Robert also struggled offensively at the same time as Lewis.

Out of nowhere, Lewis was able to regain his hype after robbing Ramon Laureano. On an extremely hazy day in Seattle due to local wildfires, the Oakland Athletics got to the Seattle starting pitcher early and loaded the bases in the top of the first inning. Ramon Laureano came up to the plate with two outs and took a 0-1 hanging curveball out to the center-field wall by the Jimmy John’s advertisement.

Lewis got a great read on the ball, made his way to the fence, and made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Laureano of a grand slam. It was not a wall scraper, so Lewis had to time his leap with perfection. Watching replays of it reminds me of so many Mariners outfielders who have robbed home runs in Safeco Field back in the day.

https://twitter.com/Mariners/status/1305664515699142657?s=20

Some compared Lewis’ grab to Ken Griffey Jr’s home run robberies which he seemed to do on a regular basis. Lewis made the catch look so easy and due to his athleticism. His catch also reminded me of another great Mariners center fielder, Mike Cameron.

All in all, congratulations to Kyle Lewis who deservingly won the AL Rookie of the Year. The Mariners have waited a long time to hit the jackpot on a draft pick and Lewis has been everything we have asked for. As the first Mariners player to win AL Rookie of the Year since Ichiro in 2001, Lewis proved he can be the offensive spark while also doing his part on defense.

There is a lot to look forward to after seeing what Lewis and his teammates are capable of: J.P. Crawford and Evan White won their first Gold Glove Awards, Marco Gonzales pitched like an All-Star, and Justus Sheffield had a big bounce-back season. General manager, Jerry Dipoto was also able to acquire some talented players through trades at the deadline to bolster the young core for 2021 and beyond.

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