4 Mariners whose 2025 Spring Training stats don't bode well

Spring training is always an exciting time for the 30 Major League teams and their fans, with hopes as bright as the sunshine in Arizona and Florida. It is also a period for players to gear up towards the new season, whether it be showing off a new pitch, working on a weakness in their game, and so on.

The general rule is to not be too swayed by the productivity of players during spring training, but this is easier said than done. Sometimes the way someone is performing in a certain area relates to previous/ongoing concerns, whether it's about a player specifically or the team as a whole.

In this respect, as much as there have been plenty of success stories during spring training for the Seattle Mariners, there have also been those giving the fans cause for concern. Here is a look at four players whose Cactus League stats seemingly don't bode well for.

Emerson Hancock

Even though George Kirby's shoulder injury is not anything serious, the projection is that Emerson Hancock will need to step up and help the rotation maintain its elite status during Kirby's absence. To this end, optimism is low so far in Peoria.

Though Hancock righted the ship somewhat with four scoreless innings on Friday, his returns in his first three starts were less than encouraging. He allowed nine hits, two walks and six earned runs. One of the few positives was that he also recorded nine strikeouts, but he added only one more against six more hits on Friday.

What makes this important is just the overall reality that the 25-year-old has not developed as hoped/expected since being selected sixth overall in the 2020 draft. Last season was his first extended action in the Majors and, while he wasn't a outright disaster, he did little to excite the Mariners fan base during his 12 starts.

Hancock produced a negative WAR of -0.6, to go along with a 4.75 ERA, 5.69 FIP, 1.335 WHIP and 2.05 strikeouts-to-walks ratio, which were all worse than the other five Mariners starters. He really needs to step up during Kirby's absence, while also fighting — fair or not — a slowly growing narrative that he could become a draft bust.

Luis Castillo

After the speculation surrounding Luis Castillo potentially being traded during the offseason, the majority of fans were relieved that this never came to fruition, with the Mariners rotation undoubtedly better when it includes the three-time All-Star. However, this doesn't mean there is no concern surrounding him now.

Castillo has made three appearances so far in Cactus League play, throwing 8.0 innings and allowing nine hits — including two homers — three walks and four runs (three earned), while striking out just four batters. Not helping this is what appears to be a continuing trend of a decline in his average fastball velocity, which stands at 93.9 mph in Cactus League play.

As we wrote about back in January, the 32-year-old averaged 97 mph in 2022, 96.1 mph the following season and 95.6 mph last year. This connects to even more concern brought on by how he pitched in 2024, as he experienced the worst year of his tenure in Seattle.

When it was all said and done, Castillo ranked fifth among the main starters in the Mariners rotation in WAR, ERA, FIP, WHIP and strikeouts-to-walks ratio. As much as his stats weren't horrendous, more is needed from the most expensive member of the payroll and someone who is still meant to be staff ace, otherwise talk will return about him possibly being traded.

Dylan Moore

Last season was a career year for Dylan Moore, as he played his most ever games in the Majors and recorded a 2.2 WAR which was his best ever for the Mariners. He also won his first Gold Glove, coming as a utility player due to his tremendous defense throughout the 2024 campaign.

However, after seeing playing time at a variety of positions last year, he is now being asked to settle in at second base after the Mariners' reluctance/inability to strengthen the infield with any big signings. And if spring training is any indication, there is genuine worry that he might not be able to step up to the plate — pun unintended — when it comes to helping the team offensively.

Consider that in 25 at-bats so far in Cactus League play, the 32-year-old has only managed one single hit, with him producing an exit velocity of just 82.9 mph. This is extremely alarming, even allowing for a player who has a career .206 batting average and .701 OPS.

Last season saw Moore hit below his career averages as he produced a .201 batting average and .687 OPS, which were both the second-worst of his six years in the Majors. In an ideal world, he should continue to be a utility player as opposed to a regular starter at one set position, and his offensive productivity — or lack thereof — in spring training has done nothing to change this opinion.

Cal Raleigh

We will confess that including Cal Raleigh on this list is somewhat of a stretch. After all, we're referring to someone who led the Mariners in home runs and RBI last season and is generally (and finally) regarded as one of the best catchers in the game.

However, at the risk of being ridiculously picky, Raleigh did only have a .220 batting average last season after hitting .218 during his four years in the Majors. And in this respect, his struggles to make regular contact with his bat have continued during spring training.

Consider that in 35 at-bats to date in Arizona, the 2024 Platinum Glove Award winner has managed just six hits, which equates to a .143 batting average. He has also been struck out a team-high 12 times, a reminder of an ongoing issue for the Mariners as a whole in the past two seasons.

One positive is that when Raleigh does make contact he's as explosive as ever, as evidenced by five RBI on his six hits. Again, we do believe including him in this list is somewhat of a stretch, but his lack of regular contact is still something to keep an eye on once the real action begins.

Recent Posts