Seattle Mariners: Building the perfect lineup for 2021 season

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 07: J.P. Crawford and Kyle Lewis of the Seattle Mariners celebrate. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 07: J.P. Crawford and Kyle Lewis of the Seattle Mariners celebrate. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
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Seattle Mariners JP Crawford
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 04: J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates while lapping the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Texas Rangers in the eighth inning at T-Mobile Park on September 04, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

Batting ninth, SS JP Crawford

JP Crawford spent most of 2020 as the leadoff hitter for the Mariners but with this great offensive lineup, I like him best in the last spot in the lineup. JP started off the season on fire with an OPS of 1.086 in 8 games in July but he cooled down and ended the season with a .674 OPS.

Crawford got the leadoff spot partly because there weren’t many great options but he had a BB% that ranked in the 61st percentile and he rarely struck out making him a good leadoff hitter getting on base for the likes of Kyle Lewis and Kyle Seager.

He also of course won the AL Gold Glove for shortstop and because of his defense, he is the shortstop of the future for the Mariners. If he can start hitting for more power (only 9 home runs in 2 years in Seattle and a 15th percentile hard-hit % last season) then he could become one of the best shortstops in the league.

This lineup head to toe is great for next season and is outstanding for the future. It’s packed with Gold Glovers, All-Stars, and a Rookie of the Year. To top it off, JP Crawford could be the best nine hitter in the league next year if this is the Mariners lineup.

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