Candidates to fill 3 blank spots in the Mariners' history of Silver Slugger winners

The Seattle Mariners don't have much hope of producing an MVP or Cy Young Award winner at the end of this year, so they'll have to make do hoping for Gold Glovers and Silver Sluggers. Both are exclusive clubs in their own right, and that especially goes for the Silver Sluggers.

Once Cal Raleigh joined after his 60-homer season in 2025, the Mariners' list of Silver Slugger winners grew from seven to eight. By comparison, 17 Mariners have won a Gold Glove. Whatever you thought the discrepancy was going to be, you probably didn't expect it to be that drastic.

Moreover, the Mariners are still working on checking boxes for Silver Slugger winners. Ahead, we'll break down where they're lacking and who might solve the problem.

The Mariners have never had a left fielder, first baseman or utility player win a Silver Slugger

For the blank spot in left field: Randy Arozarena

Before anyone asks: No, we're not so daft as to be unaware that Silver Sluggers aren't awarded for each individual outfield spot. The awards go to three "outfielders" in each league, with no specificity as to which spot on the grass they call home.

Even so, a Mariners left fielder winning a Silver Slugger is something we want to see for "Because it would be cool purposes!" And if Randy Arozarena gets what he deserves, the wait won't be much longer.

He has somehow never won a Silver Slugger despite reaching 20-20 in six straight seasons, but that should change this year. Beyond his 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, he's also rocking a .273/.372/.461 slash line and a 139 OPS+. By batting runs, he's the top offensive outfielder in the American League over Mike Trout.

For the blank spot at first base: Ace Reese

Yes, it's true. The Mariners have never had a Silver Slugger winner at the cold corner. Consider it another way in which Alvin Davis was overlooked in his day, particularly after his All-Star, Rookie of the Year-winning debut in 1984.

Josh Naylor is manning first base for Seattle these days, and he's the kind of hitter who's undoubtedly good… but probably not Silver Slugger material. He didn't get one even when he went off for 31 home runs and 108 RBI in 2024, and that's likely as good as it gets for his bat.

This is why we're thinking long-term by fixing our eyes on Reese. The Mariners' No. 7 prospect is nominally a third baseman, but the general sentiment is that he'll move off the hot corner. He already looks like a first base-caliber hitter. Mere weeks after going to the Mariners at No. 24 in the draft, he has a 1.221 OPS for Single-A Inland Empire.

For the blank spot at utility player: Brendan Donovan

The Silver Sluggers didn't start honoring utility players until 2022, so the Mariners haven't had many chances to produce a winner in that category. Luckily, the standard for would-be winners isn't all that high.

It certainly was in 2022 and 2023, when Luis Arraez and Gunnar Henderson took home utility Silver Sluggers after batting .316 and clubbing 28 home runs, respectively. In 2024 and 2025, however, the AL utility award went to Josh Smith and Zach McKinstry. Each finished with an OPS+ in the mid-110s and around a dozen homers.

A healthy Donovan can do that and more, as his OPS+ has settled in the 120s across the last two seasons. He just needs to stay healthy and actually work as a utility player, both of which will hopefully come to fruition in 2027. It seems like the Mariners want to use him as a super-utility guy, and they'll only need to add an everyday third baseman to follow through on that plan next year.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow