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3 Mariners most likely to have a breakout season in 2023

By Andrew Bailie |
Toronto Blue Jays v Seattle Mariners
Toronto Blue Jays v Seattle Mariners / Stephen Brashear/GettyImages
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The Seattle Mariners had three breakout stars in 2022 including Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, and George Kirby. Each of these players took a while to finally hit their stride in 2022. For Julio, he broke out of an April/March slump where he hit just .206 and no HR to hitting .297 and 28 HR for the rest of the season. Julio’s power surge started in Miami on May 1st when he hit his first big league HR off Sandy Alcantara. He collected a Rookie of the Year award, a 2022 All-Star appearance, and was 2022 HR Derby runner-up.

Cal Raleigh was the Mariners backup catcher going into the 2022 season. He did not become starting catcher until Tom Murphy suffered a season-ending injury on May 6th, making Raleigh the starter. Raleigh’s breakout moment came on September 30th last season when he ended the Mariners’ postseason drought with a walk-off HR to beat the A’s.

George Kirby took the fifth spot in the Mariners rotation by storm in 2022. Dazzling in his first start as a Mariner against the Rays on May 8th where he pitched six shutout innings, struck out seven, while giving up no walks, and allowed just four hits. Kirby finished 2022 strong posting a 3.39 ERA, an (8-5) record, and 133 strikeouts in 25 starts. He also stepped into an unfamiliar role in the postseason, where Kirby stepped in to close out the Wild Card Series against the Blue Jays.

George Kirby, Cal Raleigh, and Julio Rodriguez were the Mariners 2022 breakout stars, who will be the Mariners breakout players in 2023?

Seattle Mariners Photo Day
Seattle Mariners Photo Day / Steph Chambers/GettyImages

Mariners Breakout Candidate #1 LF Jarred Kelenic

Kelenic appears to be the most obvious of the potential breakout players for the Mariners in 2023. After a rough start to the season in 2022 (he hit just .140 in the majors), Kelenic started to find his swing in the minor leagues. Kelenic hit .296 in AAA Tacoma for the Rainiers with 18 HR, and a .922 OPS. He also has refined his swing even more, developing a new stance in the off-season.

The adjustment seems to be paying off with Kelenic batting .421, with 4 HR, and an insane 1.345 OPS in 14 Spring Training games. His defense has been impressive as well, going from -18 defensive runs saved (DRS) in 2021 to 3 DRS in 2022. He showcased his defensive ability in the ALDS in game 3, when he came up with an amazing catch to rob Houston slugger Yordan Alvarez of a base hit in the 18th inning. Kelenic appears poised to prove his doubters wrong and be a key contributor in 2023 for Seattle.

There were high expectations for Kelenic when he came over to the Mariners in a blockbuster trade that sent Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano to the Mets in exchange for Kelenic along with four other players and cash considerations. The time is now for Jarred Kelenic to live up to that potential.

Seattle Mariners Photo Day
Seattle Mariners Photo Day / Steph Chambers/GettyImages

Mariners Breakout Candidate Number #2 Pitcher Bryce Miller

Miller dazzled in the minor leagues last year, posting a 3.16 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 133.2 IP across three different levels of minor league ball. He features a plus fastball which can top out 99 MPH. Miller also mixes in three other pitches a high-70s curveball, a mid-80s changeup, and a slider in the mid-80s. His best secondary pitch is his slider, which he uses to mix speeds and location. The Mariners selected Bryce Miller with the 113th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft in the fourth round out of Texas A&M.

It is unknown whether the Mariners will decide to use Miller as a reliever or a starter. However, considering the depth of the Mariners rotation the likely spot for Miller will be out of the bullpen. Miller could be the next Matt Brash for Seattle since he features both a high-90s fastball and a filthy slider. Bryce Miller has been a name to watch for in Spring Training and he has shown potential with a 2.00 ERA and nine strikeouts in nine innings of work. Keep an eye on Bryce Miller should the Mariners eventually call him up to the big-league roster as a replacement for reliever Erik Swanson.

Seattle Mariners Photo Day
Seattle Mariners Photo Day / Steph Chambers/GettyImages

Mariners Breakout Candidate #3 C/OF Cooper Hummel

Cooper Hummel could be the Mariners next Dylan Moore/Sam Haggerty. This offseason, Hummel was acquired in the offseason from the D-Backs in exchange for Kyle Lewis. His ability to play multiple positions could be a big asset for the Mariners in 2023. This is especially true given the injury histories of both Tom Murphy and Cal Raleigh, and Hummel is a capable backup if either, unfortunately, gets injured.

He also can play the outfield when Teoscar Hernandez needs a rest or to protect Jarred Kelenic against lefties since he is a switch hitter. Hummel has been ripping the cover off the ball in Spring Training, batting .333 with 4 HR, and a 1.207 OPS. Yes, those numbers can be skewed due to it being Spring Training, and playing in warmer temperatures, but Hummel has a proven track record of success in the minor leagues as well.

He hit .310, with 6 HR, and a .950 OPS in just 33 games in AAA Reno last season in the D-Backs organization. Before struggling to hit major league pitching, as he hit just .176, with 3 HR, and a .580 OPS in 66 games for the D-Backs. The season prior in 2021 Hummel hit .311, with 12 HR, and a .978 OPS with both the D-Backs and Brewers AAA affiliates. Which means Hummel just needs to see more major league at-bats to maximize his potential.

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