Possible Scenarios for the 2024 Seattle Mariners Roster

It’s still three years away, but this past week some of the folks at SoDo Mojo came together and did a roundtable that looked at what the 2024 Seattle Mariners lineup may look like.

Of course, so much can change in the next three years. Players may be acquired or sent out, injuries may happen and the cold hard truth is that not every top Mariners prospect will pan out. Some will bust because that’s just the nature of the beast.

In fact, some of us had to adjust our projections because of trades that happened (Chris may or may not still be upset that Austin Shenton is gone). Those things happen though, so don’t be surprised if some of those mentioned below end up on other teams before the 2024 season. After all, we are talking about Trader Jerry.

But for this exercise, we’re going ahead with the hope and belief that the Mariners will hit on each of their top guys and put together a lineup, rotation, and bullpen primarily of players they already have.

Here is a breakdown of each position, with myself, Chris O’Day, Connor Tweet, and John Brewer inputting our opinions on what each spot will look like.

Your Mariners 2024 Catcher is…

John: Cal Raleigh – Called up in 2021, Raleigh has a legit and realistic chance to be the greatest catcher the Mariners have ever had. Yeah, the list isn’t long, but passing Dan “the man” Wilson would make for an incredible career. Great chemistry with the young pitching staff, ability to switch-hit and big dawg power give the Mariners a wonderful backstop.

Chris: Cal Raleigh – Cal Raleigh has already begun to demonstrate the qualities that the Mariners saw in him when they drafted him back in 2018: a catcher with above-average framing abilities, a solid arm, and a powerful bat. He lacks mobility around the bases, but his fielding behind the plate in combination with his ability to hit from both sides of the box makes him a rare talent.

Connor: Cal Raleigh – An offensive-oriented catcher with a rapidly improving defensive game, Raleigh has been the Mariners’ catcher of the future since he was drafted in 2018. He’s already showing leadership with pitchers this season and has come through in clutch moments with runners in scoring position. He’ll be 27 and beginning his prime in 2024.

Jamey: Cal Raleigh – This one seems to be unanimous. Raleigh has struggled in his first 17 games in the bigs, but it doesn’t seem to be more than the natural growing pains of a promotion. It also doesn’t help that Raleigh isn’t receiving consistent at-bats. But ultimately, the power combined with the above-average framing and elite arm will play in the majors regardless of how he hits for average. If 2021 first rounder Harry Ford sticks at catcher, he could be a possibility as well but this feels like Raleigh’s job for a long time.

Your Mariners 2024 1st Baseman is…

John: Evan White – Evan’s spent a total of 84 games played in the majors, and his slash line of .165/.235/.308 isn’t something I love from someone who would theoretically be a contender’s starting first baseman. The fact remains that he’s a Gold Glover and an incredible defensive talent. His career MLB fielding percentage of 0.995 and three errors committed make him an incredible asset.

His 2021 season-ending hip surgery is something to watch, as his signature defensive move is his ability to drop into the splits to lock in a putout, but a full recovery makes him the presumptive favorite to play first base.

Chris: Ty France – Signed through 2025, the Mariners have one of the best bats in baseball at first base. Not the prototypical first baseman, France has the type of makeup where he could slash doubles constantly while providing 20 homer power, but with a .310 batting average.

Connor: Evan White – Though he’s certainly had his offensive struggles so far in his young career, White has massive pop in his bat that I believe will eventually transition into real success at the major league level. His glove will always play, but he’ll need some time in Tacoma after recovering from injury this year to reignite his offense; that trip to Tacoma and subsequent return to the big leagues will be the biggest test for his future outlook. I think he’ll pass it.

Jamey: Ty France – A little bit of divide on this one. Evan White’s glove will likely keep him on a big-league roster for a long time, but he has a long way to go with the bat. Ty France isn’t one of the Mariners “flashy” prospects, but he is certainly a proven major league bat. France could also end up as a DH if White’s bat comes around, but for now, I’m sticking with France at first.

Your Mariners 2024 3rd Baseman is…

John: Noelvi Marte – Noelvi Marte was a high-prized prospect when the Mariners went out and signed him in 2018. He’s currently with Modesto, where he’s posting a slash line of .281/.366/.497. The rationale for slotting him in at third base is simple: his size. He’d need to gain 20-30 pounds to be the same size as J.P. Crawford. While it’s possible, the more likely scenario is that he simply shifts to third base when he reaches either Everett or Arkansas.

Chris: Noelvi Marte – He’s not moving Crawford off of short, and slides into third as his body fits the position better. Still big and fast, his arm plays there well. He potentially pairs that with David Wright style numbers with the ability to hit for average and power, with plus-speed. Marte could easily be the true franchise cornerstone of the organization through the 2020s.

Connor: Noelvi Marte – The #5 overall prospect in Seattle’s system, Marte is coming up as a shortstop, but I think he profiles best at third. He has a great frame at 6’1″ and 181 lbs., and at only 19, he may put on even more muscle as he continues to develop. Marte has the outlook of a 5-tool player; I believe it would be best to let him thrive at a less grueling defensive position, while still allowing him to showcase his fielding.

Jamey: Kris Bryant – And here is why I have Marte at second. The Mariners absolutely need to make a splash in the 2022 free agency period. And grabbing the former National League MVP would count as a splash. Bryant is an elite bat, can play third and left field, and isn’t yet 30, meaning he would fit into the Mariners timeframe. Bryant will have a lot of suitors, but this is an opportunity for John Stanton to go out and spend some money.

Your Mariners 2024 Shortstop is…

John: J.P. Crawford – J.P. will be turning 29 in 2024, making him a presumptive multi-Gold Glover in the thick of his prime. His defensive accolades are well-known, but the primary concern is his average offense. He’s a career .246/.328/.361 hitter, so the question to ask is if the elite defense balances this out. In my view, it absolutely does, and I take J.P. Crawford as my shortstop for the long haul. Side note: I’m a J.P. Fanboy, so he’s my ride-or-die on this roster

Chris: J.P/ Crawford – His final season, and he’s working on an extension to stay with the team after four straight gold gloves. He will be 30 heading into 2025, and an extension could make sense as the defense would stick for the length of another medium contract. (that’s the hope, at least).

Connor: J.P. Crawford – J.P. has turned into the heart and soul of the over-achieving Mariners this season. He barely missed out on this year’s All-Star game while excelling at the top of the order in both on-base percentage and run production, and of course, was a Gold Glover in his first full season last year. He’s arbitration-eligible through 2024, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him sign an extension before then.

Jamey: J.P. Crawford – He probably won’t ever replicate his scorching hot month of June, but Crawford has proven that his bat is good enough for the bigs, and obviously the glove is golden. He probably won’t give you enough offense to be a top-of-the-order bat long-term, but he seems destined to be in the eight or nine hole of the lineup, providing decent offensive value and elite play in the field.

Your Mariners 2024 Left Fielder is…

John: Jarred Kelenic – Jarred has been a hot topic this year, with Mariners fans seemingly divided between keeping this guy around or shipping him out in a 2022 trade. Since changing his batting posture in late July, he’s only had a single game where he didn’t get himself on base. That, my friends, is hard work paying dividends.

He still has a lot of development coming his way, but he clearly has tons of defensive confidence and he’s now begun to piece together major league at-bats (some of these 0-2 counts that he’s converting to walks are really impressive). I’m a proud Jarred Kelenic Believer and come 2024 Jarred will have already attended one All-Star Game. Mark my words.

Chris: Jarred Kelenic – He’s only moved out of center in 2024 because of the insane speed that my center field choice holds.. He’s starting to heat up in August, showing his potential. If things go right for the Mariners, there is an argument that they could end up with the best outfield in all of baseball. Kelenic has a chance to be a special hitter, as a .300/20/20 (Grady Sizemore, possibility) is within his reach.

Connor: Jarred Kelenic – The Mariners’ #1 overall prospect is going to be just fine. Yes, his OPS is a meek .493 through his first 44 games, but he’s beginning to look a lot more comfortable at the plate, as he’s working walks and fighting off singles in clutch situations. He’s a top prospect for a reason, and his recent hitting adjustments are proof that he’s willing to put in the work to improve minor details in his game.

Jamey: Zach DeLoach – Before anyone panics, no I’m not giving up on Kelenic, I just have him at a different position. Part of me wanted to list Aaron Judge here, but that is also probably a pipe dream. DeLoach has struggled some since his promotion to Arkansas, but the bat speed and overall swing show a lot of overall upside. He’s far and away my least confident pick in this lineup (besides Bryant), and it’s possible someone like Jake Fraley, Jonatan Clase, or even Harry Ford sneaks in here instead, but for now, I’m sticking with DeLoach.

Your Mariners 2024 Center Fielder is…

John: Kyle Lewis – K-Lew has missed the vast majority of 2021, but his 2020 ROY campaign spoke volumes about what he can do both offensively and defensively. He’s an elite defensive CF who will be in his prime come 2024. His career MLB slash line is .258/.343/.450 with an OPS+ of 121. Give me this guy at CF all day. Next question.

Chris: Jonatan Clase – This is likely my outlier. It was hard tracking Clase, but the original 5’8” is now a thing of the past, as he is closer to six feet tall. The speed is still there and is a real threat. He has 16 steals in 57 plate appearances for the Rookie team and hasn’t been caught. As he grew, there is actually some power there as well. He could be a 15 homer – 70 steal guy. Everything you wanted from Billy Hamilton, might be found in Clase. If you know Spanish, you can even check out an interview with him.

Connor: Kyle Lewis – While the middle of the order has still been able to come through and Kelenic has manned center field well, the reigning A.L. Rookie of the Year has certainly been missed. He is a very patient hitter with a beautiful swing, and he’s an even better outfielder than Kelenic. He’s arbitration eligible through 2025, but just like Crawford, I imagine he will sign an extension sooner than that.

Jamey: Jarred Kelenic – I actually really like Chris’s choice of Clase, I just wonder about the bat long term. For me, Kelenic ends up sticking there with the concerns around Kyle Lewis’s injuries. After the atrocious start to his career, Kelenic has settled down nicely and has swung the bat really well during the road trip. The strikeout numbers are down, the contact numbers are up and even his outs look and feel better. A tough 30 or so games doesn’t change the fact that he’s still an all-word talent and is going to be a long-time fixture in the Mariner outfield.

Your 2024 Mariners Right Fielder is…

John: Julio Rodriguez – For anyone paying any attention at all to the Olympics, this guy needs no introduction. Julio Rodriguez is a flat-out beast. He’s got a big arm, massive power, and has slightly above-average speed. The expectation around the league is that this guy is going to be a star – it’s simply a matter of when. He’ll stay in right field, where he’s most comfortable, and will be a part of likely one of the best outfield trios in the league.

Chris: Julio Rodriguez – He could be the power answer for the Mariners. He’s already up to AA ball and might be up in the majors sooner in 2022 than people realize if he plays his way into it. He, possibly more than any other prospect, has the potential to be a HOFer. 280+ average and 40+ bombs? That’s a rare combo.

Connor: Julio Rodriguez – J-Rod will be the next All-Star right fielder in Seattle, and hopefully a perennial one. The #5 overall prospect in baseball, he has the makings of a star and will be far too electric of a player to consistently slot in at DH.

Jamey: Julio Rodriguez – This one seems to be a slam dunk. Rodriguez has hit at every single level he’s been at, with both power and contact. He’s one of the best prospects in baseball, and quite frankly it would be a pretty big surprise if he didn’t become a superstar. He’s also the type of personality and character that Seattle fans can fall in love. He’s not just a possible superstar, he’s a possible face of the franchise.

Your 2024 Mariners DH is…

John: Ty France – France has proven that he can slot into just about any position where the Mariners have a need, which makes him an incredibly valuable piece to have on a daily basis. He’s a career .272/.341/.432 batter, and will be 30 in 2024. France is a guy the Mariners would love to have as a daily bat and would make for an excellent anchor to the order.

Chris: Kyle Lewis – Moved out of center to alleviate strain on the knee, letting him focus on hitting. Still plays games in the outfield, but this is his main spot as the “old guy”. Lewis will be just 29, but easily the oldest outfielder. With his bat, being focused on hitting could turn him into a force to be reckoned with.

Connor: Ty France – If you can swing it, you’ll always have a spot. France is arguably the most fun hitter to watch on the Mariners, because no matter the pitcher, no matter the count, he always has a good chance of putting the ball in play and making solid contact. His fielding, on the other hand, hasn’t been impressive, so I think his future is mostly at DH.

Jamey: Kyle Lewis – Long-term I think this is the best move for Lewis. While he’s fully capable of handling the outfield, the Mariners don’t want to have him battling injuries for the next decade. This way, the strain on him playing the outfield every day is removed, and Lewis can simply just go out and hit.

Your 2024 Mariners Bench is…

John: Jose Marmolejos/Taylor Trammell/Luis Torrens/Jake Fraley – Jose Marmolejos struggled when he was first called up to the majors in 2021, earning a trip back down to Tacoma. He’s currently demonstrating that he’s a capable offensive weapon for the Mariners, as he’s shredding the ball in Triple-A. He’s a versatile player who can slot into either OF or 1B, bringing some good depth to the team. Taylor Trammell became a Mariners sensation with his celebrations and dugout presence. His passion and love for the team make him one of my bench picks.

We’re currently seeing what a team with little mojo looks like, so positive locker room presence and charisma are two things required of any team looking to go deep into the playoffs. Enter Taylor Trammell and his stellar dugout dance moves. Torrens is another depth piece for the Mariners, considering the Yankees drafted him as a SS and he’s capable of playing 1B, and 3B in addition to catcher. Having deep, versatile players is critical to weather any potential injury streaks that can plague a team and often derail playoff runs.

Ideally, he can pick up a few points on his BA and OBP, but the defensive competency and willingness to do what’s needed of him make him a critical bench player. Fraley offers outfield depth and is strong enough offensively to slot in at DH if lineup shuffling is required for health/injury concerns. He’s a good defensive outfielder and an above-average batter. He’s important because subbing him into the lineup doesn’t mean an offensive downgrade from a Kelenic or Lewis.

Chris: Kaden Polcovich/Evan White/Zach DeLoach/Tyler Keenan – If it was 2025, Harry Ford and Starlin Aguliar would be in here somewhere. Unfortunately, we likely won’t see them until then. Possibly at the end of 2024 for a short period during September call-ups. White never figures it out, and rides the bench with that contract, although he is a decent hitter. Polcovich is a great utility, and Keenan can play the corners. Deloach spells the outfield when needed, and pinch runs occasionally.

Connor: Harry Ford/Taylor Trammell/Alberto Rodriguez/Dylan Moore – I think Ford, the Mariners’ most recent first-round draft selection, will serve as an ultimate utility man in his career, including at catcher. It looks like Trammell’s biggest strength is his power, which is a valuable asset as a left-handed hitter coming off the bench. “The Other A-Rod” was the return from the Taijuan Walker trade to the Blue Jays in 2020.

With Walker pitching well that year and the Mariners on the brink of playoff contention in the shortened season, Jerry Dipoto wouldn’t have made that trade unless he thought Rodriguez had the ability to be a contributor in the long-term. I think D-Mo will still be here in 2024. He checks pretty much all the boxes that Mariners management likes, including occasional power, positional flexibility, and speed on the base paths. He will be 31 in 2024, but I don’t think his athleticism will miss a step.

Jamey: Abraham Toro/Jake Fraley/Andy Thomas/Evan White – Toro will basically become a rich man’s version of Dylan Moore, where the Mariners can play him everywhere, but he can also come off the bench and hit effectively. Fraley is fairly interchangeable, but he’s a good defender that has shown some pop and the ability to get on base exceptionally well.

Thomas might be a bit of a long-shot, but I don’t really see another catcher in the system right now, with Luis Torrens moving to first and Harry Ford not ready quite yet. I don’t see White’s bat ever getting to an everyday player type of role, but I do think the glove and potential power makes him valuable enough to keep around.

Your 2024 Mariners Rotation is…

John: Chris Flexen/Logan Gilbert/George Kirby/Emerson Hancock/Isaiah Campbell – The starting rotation will be led by Chris Flexen, who will have earned an extension after being a stud for the Mariners during 2021 and 2022. LoGi has already cemented himself as a staple in the rotation, and my view of George Kirby is that of the second coming of Cliff Lee.

Emerson Hancock’s someone who has the potential to be an absolute stud at the fourth position in the rotation, and Isaiah Campbell will be in his prime (provided he can stay healthy). The key missing ingredient is Marco Gonzales, as he’s currently under contract through 2024. I’m sure I’ll be in the minority, but I don’t believe the Mariners keep him in the rotation with Kirby and Hancock likely to make it up by 2023 at the latest.

Gonzales had an incredible 2020, but has looked like a completely different pitcher in 2021 and not a starting arm that can be relied upon for a team hoping to contend in 2024. I see him as potential trade bait, particularly if he can piece together a strong first half of 2022 or 2023

Chris: Emerson Hanock/Logan Gilbert/George Kirby/Levi Stoudt/Marco Gonzales – The only reason Marco sticks in the rotation is because of his contract. Otherwise, it would be Williamson or Dunn. It very well could be one of them, but we leave Marco there for now. Stoudt is the “other” guy who makes it, as a solid four. Hancock shows off the five-pitch repertoire and flirts with being a true ace, sitting in that 10-20 range for top pitchers in baseball. Gilbert and Kirby are both solid 2’s, giving the Mariners three pitchers in the top 40 or so in all of baseball.

Connor: Logan Gilbert/Emerson Hancock/George Kirby/Marco Gonzales/Justin Dunn – I doubt the Mariners will continue with a 6-man rotation; the top three pitchers, especially, have too much value to lose that many starts over the course of a season. Gonzales is signed to a long-term deal through 2024, and I think Seattle will honor that commitment while he (hopefully) gets back on track from his early struggles this season.

Jamey: Emerson Hancock/Logan Gilbert/George Kirby/Matt Brash/Marco Gonzales – It seems like a (hopeful) foregone conclusion that Hancock, Gilbert, and Kirby will be the 1-2-3 punch for the Mariners rotation, with the other two spots up for grabs. Personally, I have it as Matt Brash who has broken out so far this season, and veteran Marco Gonzales who will be in the twilight of his Mariners career. There truly is a ton of candidates here though. Brandon Williamson, Justin Dunn, Levi Stoudt, Connor Phillips, Juan Then, the list goes on.

Your 2024 Mariners Bullpen is…

John: Ken Giles/Andres Munoz/Brandon Williamson/Matt Brash/Juan Then/Connor Phillips – Above are the core relievers on the 2024 Mariners squad. Giles and Munoz will likely be used for later innings, considering most of these pitchers are converted starters and can handle multiple innings. This is the next wave of talented Mariners relievers, who will all have the opportunity to learn from the current unit – widely regarded as one of the most dominant in the league.

Chris: Diego Castillo/Erik Swanson/Paul Sewald/Casey Sadler/Andres Munoz/Brandon Williamson/Justin Dunn – It’s hard to think about a bullpen because it changes so often. If we are looking at who the team has under control, and some of the possible options currently on the roster… I still really like what we have. I don’t see a single name on there that I would be upset with walking through that outfield door to come in and pitch in relief.

Connor: Ken Giles/Andres Munoz/Juan Then/Brandon Williamson/Connor Phillips/Levi Stoudt/Isaiah Campbell/Adam Macko – The fact of the matter is, not everyone can be a starter. Minus Giles and Munoz, these are the rest of the top pitching prospects in the Mariners system. Dominant bullpens have proven to be a big part of successful MLB teams recently, and I’m confident the Mariners are tuned into that.

Jamey: Brandon Williamson/Juan Then/Ken Giles/Andres Munoz/Diego Castillo/Bryce Miller/Justin Dunn/Connor Phillips – As my comrades have said above, it’s nearly impossible to predict a bullpen but there was generally the same few names with some changes here and there. My outlier is Bryce Miller, the team’s 2021 fourth-round pick who I see a lot of upside with as a middle relief arm.

Well, what do you think? Which of the four of us has the best/most realistic 2024 Mariners Roster? There were a couple of standouts and shockers, but that’s what makes it fun!