5 bold predictions for the Mariners in the 2021 season

Following a 27-33 2020 season with a third-place finish in the AL West, The Mariners look to take advantage of a wide-open division battle. With the Rangers in the first stages of a rebuild, the Angels still being the Angels, the A’s losing multiple key contributors to free agency, and the Springer and Verlander-less Astros, the Mariners have more of a shot at the division than they have in years.

So, here are 5 bold predictions for the Mariners in the 2021 season. Some would help the team this year, and some are more geared towards the future. Regardless, I would not be surprised if any, or even all of these happened.

Mariners win back to back Rookie of the Year’s, but it’s not Kelenic

The Mariners’ top prospect Jarred Kelenic will debut at some point this season (barring injury), but so will their most MLB ready pitching prospect Logan Gilbert. While Kelenic has been in the headlines this offseason, Gilbert will be the one stealing the headlines during the season and my first bold prediction is that he wins the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year.

This would mean Seattle goes back to back, as Kyle Lewis won the award last season. This prediction comes partially from the fact that Gilbert looked excellent in his lone start this spring, striking out David Fletcher and Mike Trout, while Kelenic may miss the rest of Spring Training due to suffering a knee injury.

Jerry Dipoto was also recently asked who he thinks the most MLB-ready player is from the Mariners’ top prospects, and surprisingly he said Gilbert, not Kelenic. Gilbert has some insane minor league statistics like a 2.13 ERA in 26 games started in the minors, and after he spends some time at the alternate training site and maybe AAA, he will be called up and could be the best rookie pitcher.