2024 award predictions: 5 Mariners who could take home hardware
In 2023 the Mariners only saw one player win an award with Julio Rodriguez winning silver slugger. Who are five Mariners that could win an MLB award in 2024?
![Detroit Tigers v Seattle Mariners](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3087,h_1736,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/65/01hrz1e1h6995hadww0g.jpg)
The Mariners, despite fighting for the playoffs up until the last series of the season, only saw one player win an award in 2023. That honor went to Julio Rodriguez, who took home his second straight Silver Slugger Award. In a stat that's honestly hard to believe that it's true, he was the first player to win the award in each of his first two seasons, according to the Elias Sport Bureau.
Can the Mariners see more of their players earn awards in the upcoming season? Let's take a look at 5 Mariners who could take home some hardware from the 2024 season.
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Mitch Hanger
Mitch Haniger's 2023 was riddled with injury as he fractured his forearm and only played 61 games for the San Francisco Giants. Producing a negative .3 WAR and an OPS+ of 73. It was one of Mitch Haniger's worst seasons and it caused the Giants to trade him back to the Mariners for Robbie Ray.
But if you have been paying attention to Mitch Haniger this Spring Training it felt like he never wanted to leave Seattle and he is excited to be back in Seattle. He is having a torrid spring with a 1.297 OPS and 2 HR in 19 PA this spring. Coming back home to where he had his most success I wouldn't be surprised if Haniger put up big numbers in 2024 and won AL Comeback Player of the Year.
Silver Slugger: Cal Raleigh
Cal Raleigh was a finalist for the Silver Slugger award at catcher in 2023 but was beat out by Adley Rutschman for the award. I think the main reason that Cal Raleigh didn't win the award in 2023 was because of his average (.232) and on base percentage (.306). While he hit 30 HR and drove in 75 runs. Adley Rutschman was much better in those categories with a batting average of .277 and an OBP of .374. I think Raleigh could close the gap as he enters his 3rd full season with the Mariners and continues to grow as a hitter.
![San Francisco Giants v Seattle Mariners](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/GettyImages/mmsport/65/01hrz151v22xqax8pv4a.jpg)
AL Cy Young: George Kirby
George Kirby is one of the rising young stars in baseball. Making his first All Star team in 2023. George Kirby took the next step that everyone thought he would. Kirby in 2023 had a 3.9 WAR, pitching 190 innings with a 3.35 ERA,1.038 WHIP and 172 strikeouts. Good enough to finish 8th in the 2023 AL Cy Young voting. If Kirby continues to grow as a pitcher he definitely could win the Cy Young award in 2024. Right now he is +1200 odds on FanDuel, which is 6th best in the American League to win the award.
AL Manager of the Year: Scott Servais
I honestly believe that Scott Servais should have won this award back in 2021 or 2022, helping the Mariners to 90 wins in both seasons and bringing them back to the playoffs in 2022 for the first time since 2001 was a big accomplishment. In 2021 Servais finished second behind the Rays Kevin Cash and in 2022 Servais finished 3rd behind Guardians Terry Francona. If Servais can lead the Mariners back to the playoffs and win the AL West then I think he wins AL Manager of the Year.
![Texas Rangers v Seattle Mariners](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/GettyImages/mmsport/65/01hrz1ftyqa2ejh2hxp3.jpg)
AL Most Valuable Player: Juilo Rodriguez
Julio Rodriguez came in 4th place in the 2023 AL Most Valuable Player voting, losing to Shohei Ohtani who is now with the Dodgers and out of the American League. 2023 was a really good year for Julio but there were some months where he battled with consistency and tried to do to much to carry the Mariners. Overall he had a 5.3 WAR season with and OPS of .818 and hitting 32 HR, scoring 102 runs, 103 RBI's and stealing 37 bags. Like I said Julio had a great year but it seems like he wasn't happy with it and is hungry to do better.
With the additions the Mariners made this off season Julio shouldn't have to be the guy that completely carries the team every game. Even though he will do this a lot of the time, not all the pressure is on Julio, I think he will be more relaxed at the plate and should see more consistency from him. Right now Julio is +1100 on FanDuel, which is 4th best to win the award in the American League. This is Julio's ceiling and it would not surprise me one bit if he took home the AL MVP award in 2024.