Prediction: 5 Mariners that could make the All-Star team

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 21: James Paxton of the Seattle Mariners pitches. (Sodo Mojo All-Star) (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 21: James Paxton of the Seattle Mariners pitches. (Sodo Mojo All-Star) (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
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Marco Gonzales of the Mariners throws (Sodo Mojo All-Star prediction))
PEORIA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 28: Marco Gonzales #7 of the Seattle Mariners pitches (Sodo Mojo All-Star prediction). (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Mariners All-Star prediction no. 3 – Marco Gonzales

Marco Gonzales had had a rough Spring Training, but he has improved year after year so I am not worried. The Gonzaga product posted a 6.32 ERA in 15.2 innings. He allowed 22 hits and 11 runs.

The reason why I am not worried is because of the downward decline of numbers. His allowed wOBA, xBA, xwOBA, exit velocity, hard-hit percentage, and xERA have been decreasing since his MLB debut in 2015. Although his numbers aren’t improving at a steep rate, they are improving.

Here are some of his advanced metrics highlights from last season

  • Exit velocity: 84th percentile
  • Hard-hit percentage: 65th percentile
  • xwOBA: 64th percentile
  • xERA: 64th percentile
  • Walk rate: 99th percentile

If those numbers don’t make you excited for Marco’s continuous improvement, I don’t know what will. I have been a huge Gonzales fan and this is the year where he deserves a little more recognition in the MLB and represents the Mariners at the All-Star game for the first time.

The 29-year-old had the stats to make the All-Star team last year, so if he can at the minimum repeat last season, he should be wearing a special edition jersey and cap in July. Now onto the fourth All-Star prediction.

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