Ranking the Best Designated Hitters in Seattle Mariners History

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 24: Edgar Martinez #11 of the Seattle Mariners prepares to bat during a game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on June 24, 1992 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 24: Edgar Martinez #11 of the Seattle Mariners prepares to bat during a game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on June 24, 1992 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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Mariners Daniel Vogelbach
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 12: Daniel Vogelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the second inning at Globe Life Field on August 12, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Mariners #5 DH: Daniel Vogelbach – 1.1 fWAR

Oh, Daniel Vogelbach. He’s gotta be one of the “largest” players to ever suit up for the Mariners, and he put that bulk to good use by destroying baseballs. He played a handful of games during his first three seasons with the team, but never saw regular playing time until 2019.

He was having a great run, and his numbers looked a lot better through July than they did by the end of the season. Through 99 games, he was hitting .237/.366/.511 with 25 HR, a K rate of 24.4%, and a BABIP of just .252. So it wasn’t hard to imagine that his average might actually go up to finish out the year.

Instead, it would plummet. Over the last 63 games, Vogey would hit an anemic .139/.281/.270, as the K rate would climb to 32.3%, and he would hit just 5 HR and 3 2B. He would still end up with a 1.6 fWAR on the season, but it would be his last success with the Mariners.

He stunk in 2020 and would be purchased by the Blue Jays. He has had a bit of a resurgence in Milwaukee, showing a great eye still, but an average in the low 200s. That single-season in 2019 was enough to make him a top-5 DH in Mariners history, and on the shortlist of most fans’ favorite Mariners as well.