Combining Mariners hitters' talents to create the ultimate 5-tool player

With Opening Day right around the corner, excitement is building for what this Mariners team can accomplish. The roster is stacked with talent, with each player bringing a unique skill set to the table.

This sparked a thought: What if we could build the perfect five-tool player using only talents of Mariners hitters on the current roster?

Let's put together our ideal Frankenstein-like player, combining elite hitting, power, speed, defense, and arm strength to create the ultimate Mariner.

Hitting: J.P. Crawford

This might come as a surprise, especially after a bit of a down year, but there’s no better eye in this lineup than that of J.P. Crawford.

In 2024, his chase rate sat at an elite 18.2 percent. On top of that, his 11.5 percent walk rate ranked in the top 10 percent of all hitters. Simply put, Crawford remains one of the toughest outs in baseball. He's a pesky batter with the ability to grind out at-bats and put the ball in play making him a nightmare for opposing pitchers.

Power: Cal Raleigh

No surprises here. Cal Raleigh has been a force at the plate, launching home runs at a clip not many catchers can match.

In two of his first three full MLB seasons, he ranked in the top nine percent of the league in max exit velocity. After back-to-back 30-plus home run seasons, his raw power is undeniable. Sure, his strikeout rate is high and his batting average takes a hit because of it. But when Raleigh connects, the ball is as good as gone, leaving Raleigh nothing else but to trot around the bases.

Speed: Ryan Bliss

This might be the biggest curveball in our lineup, but trust us — there’s a method to the madness.

Ryan Bliss has yet to play a full MLB season, but 2025 is certainly shaping up to be his year. The one thing we do know? The man can fly. Over the past two seasons, across all levels, Bliss racked up an absurd 55 stolen bases in each campaign. His range may be limited by playing second base, so his top speed isn't flashed in the field. But when he gets on base, he’s a constant threat to steal both second and third — sometimes within the same at-bat.

Fielding: Julio Rodríguez

You knew he’d make the list, the question was more of "where."

Julio Rodríguez is a defensive wizard in center field, covering an absurd amount of ground with ease. His ability to track fly balls off the bat is elite, allowing him to range far into left and right field, at times making his corner outfielders redundant. Add in his highlight-reel home run robberies, and there’s no doubt—Julio is the defensive anchor of this team.

Throwing: Victor Robles

Several Mariners possess rocket arms, but none as consistently dominant as Victor Robles. Since 2020, his arm strength has ranked in the top 10 percent of the league annually.

While he hasn’t had many chances to showcase his arm since arriving in Seattle, Washington Nationals fans remember him well — particularly his seven outfield assists in 2019. At this point, opponents know better than to test him, and that’s about the best compliment a defender can get.

So there you have it: the ultimate five-tool player built from the Mariners' current roster.

Putting this list together wasn’t easy, especially when it came to slotting Rodríguez, who excels in so many areas. And while Raleigh’s power was an obvious choice, Luke Raley made it a tough call. In the end, we built this lineup based on what each player does best, but debates like these always make baseball fun.