Ranking the Best Left Fielders in Seattle Mariners History

Mariners #2 LF: Phil Bradley – 11.9 fWAR

During Bradley’s first two years, he didn’t do much to impress the Mariners. He had 0.0 and 1.0 fWAR his first two years, albeit in just 447 PA combined through 147 games. He played more his second season than he did the first, and showed glimpses of a decent hit tool and speed, but not much else. He hit .301/.373/.363, with just 12 2B and 0 HR, but 21 SB.

Then, out of nowhere, the power showed up. I don’t mean that he just cracked double digits, either. He actually turned in a 20/20 season in 1985, easily his best one during his eight professional seasons. He would hit 26 HR and steal 22 bases, scoring 100 R while driving in 88 (a career high by 19), while slashing .300/.365/.498. It was good enough for a fWAR of 4.8 and a WRC+ of 134, both career highs.

It’s not like he started swinging for the fences, either. His K rate was only 18.1%, which was in line with what it would be throughout his career. That power surge helped turn him into quite the hitter, and he would post a 2.8 fWAR and 3.3 fWAR during the next two seasons with the Mariners.

The Mariners would end up trading him to the Phillies after the 1987 season, and he went to Baltimore after that. If they would’ve kept him around, he easily would’ve cemented his place as the best LF in team history. Instead, that honor goes to a Mariner who everyone loves to yell about.