Brendan Donovan is ready to give Mariners what they lacked at leadoff in 2025

For all the positives which came out of Seattle last season with the Mariners, there's still an element of "what if," given that they fell agonizingly short of a first ever trip to the World Series.

What if Bryan Woo hadn't suffered a pectoral injury at the end of the regular season? What if Caleb Ferguson hadn't been a bust for a bullpen lacking quality depth? And what if the leadoff spot had been even average?

The leadoff spot just seemed to be a curse for the Mariners last season no matter who manned the position, whether it be J.P. Crawford, Randy Arozarena or even Julio Rodríguez for a little while. Additionally not helped by Víctor Robles missing most of the 2025 campaign due to a left shoulder dislocation, overall the M's posted a decidedly underwhelming .237 batting average and .659 OPS at leadoff.

It's imperative the Mariners see some improvement from the leadoff spot in 2026 if they are to fulfil their undoubted potential, with FanGraphs projecting them as favorites to make the World Series from the American League and third-favorites to actually win it all. Fortunately for the M's, there's genuine reason to be believe there will indeed be better productivity from the position, courtesy of recent trade acquisition Brendan Donovan.

Mariners leadoff spot set to improve in 2025

The evidence is there based on past productivity, with Donovan having a career .259/.334/.399 slash line and .732 OPS in 182 career games hitting first (which is also easily his most appearances at any spot in the lineup). By comparison, the Mariners had a .237/.311/.348 slash line from the leadoff spot in 2025.

However, what should really give Mariners fans cause for encouragement about the leadoff spot in 2026, is recent comments by Donovan during an appearance Monday on Seattle Sports radio with Brock and Salk. As per Zac Hereth, the 2025 All-Star said:

"I think there’s so many different approaches that go into it. You set the table, right? You can set the tone. There’s spots where you feel like you need to kind of get after that first pitch of the game, and there’s spots where you feel like, hey, I need to see a little bit of everything and I need to get some good information for the guys and I need to get some good information for myself and be able to relay that."

Brendan Donovan

Brendan Donovan's mentality key to more success as the leadoff hitter

Donovan had already made a positive early impression in camp with the Mariners, thanks to the insatiable work ethic and discipline instilled within him during his childhood courtesy of a father who was a Colonel in the U.S. Army. Now though, you also have to love the idea of him grinding out of the leadoff spot almost for the sake of being able to give a scouting report to his teammates.

What makes this mindset from Donovan interesting is that it almost goes at odds with what he's done up to this point after four years in the majors, with a career average of 3.88 pitches per plate appearance. This includes a career low 3.72 last season, which is notably less than Arozarena's 4.03 during the 2025 campaign.

Still, you have to love Donovan's intent if nothing else, with his mental fortitude and aforementioned discipline certainly aspects which can help him adapt and become a more patient hitter in the leadoff spot. And if he does effectively manage to succeed in being a 'spy' for the guys behind him, this will unlock an invaluable extra percent or two which could make all the difference on the road to the playoffs and beyond for the Mariners.