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3 under-the-radar Mariners to follow in Spring Training
These three lesser-known Mariners are going to have a big Spring Training ahead of them as Cactus League play is about to begin.
The Mariners are looking forward to Spring Training and figuring out their roster for 2024. With the M's making a ton of moves this off-season to get better, the competition for spots on the Opening Day roster will be fierce. This speaks to how successful the Mariners' management has been at finding players to fill roster needs before the 2024 season.
Players such as outfielder Luke Raley, second baseman Jorge Polanco, third baseman Luis Urias, outfielder Mitch Haniger, catcher/designated hitter Mitch Garver, and relief pitcher Gregory Santos headline a big group of newcomers to this Mariners team. Each of these new players are going to attract the most attention in Spring Training.
There are also players coming to Spring Training who will be less talked about who will still play an important role on this team. Several relief pitchers were acquired by the Mariners this off-season and will be competing for middle relief roles this spring. Last year, Seattle had three key relievers (RHP Justin Topa, LHP Tayler Saucedo, and LHP Gabe Speier) compete in Spring Training. Though none of them made the team out of spring camp, they all eventually earned key roles in the bullpen during the 2023 season.
Another important position group to focus on is who will round out the Mariners bench in 2024. The Mariners are looking for an infielder to replace second baseman Jose Caballero (who was on the M's bench in 2023), after trading him to the Rays. Also, the Mariners could hold a competition for their remaining outfield bench spots with several possible options at those positions.
With bench positions and relief depth needed to fill out the roster, here are three under-the-radar Mariners to watch in Spring Training.
Under-the-radar Mariner #1 2B/OF Samad Taylor
Samad Taylor is an interesting backup infielder candidate for Seattle who could replace former Mariners second baseman Jose Caballero. Similar to Caballero, Taylor has incredible speed, which was on display last year when he stole 43 bases in AAA Omaha and eight with the Royals (in just 60 AB). Caballero had 26 stolen bases for the Mariners last season and was the player Seattle turned to when they needed to steal a base late in games. Taylor could play a similar role for the Mariners in 2024.
The Mariners acquired Samad Taylor in a trade with the Royals for a PTBN or cash considerations. Expect him to compete with utility players Dylan Moore and Sam Haggerty for a final roster spot. Taylor is known to hit for contact, with a .263/.354/.425 slash line in his minor league career. He made his major league debut for the Royals in 2023, appearing in 31 games.
For Taylor, the biggest question for him to make the roster, is do the Mariners have room for him on their roster? He has a similar profile to Haggerty and Moore which could be difficult to rise above. However, Taylor's speed is quite a separator as far as talent goes. What impressions Taylor makes on the Mariners coaching staff and front office will be interesting to follow during Spring Training.
Under-the-radar Mariner #2 OF Cade Marlowe
Cade Marlowe was successful in clutch situations last year for the Mariners. Filling in nicely for Jarred Kelenic while he was on the disabled list. Marlowe now has less competition for a roster following a trade of Mariners OF Zach DeLoach to the White Sox in a deal that brought RHP Gregory Santos to the M's. After a strong year in 2023 for AAA Tacoma, DeLoach was expected to compete with Marlowe for a roster spot in 2024 and would have been a tough challenger for a backup outfielder spot.
The Mariners added Luke Raley and Mitch Haniger to replace starting outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Teoscar Hernandez. However, even with those acquisitions, there should be an opportunity for Marlowe to make the Mariners roster out of Spring Training. Marlowe not only can make spot starts in the outfield, he also can be used as a defensive replacement, and a pinch runner. In 2023, Marlowe had a .239/.330/.420 slash line in 34 games for the M's, along with three home runs, four stolen bases, and 11 RBI.
For Marlowe, having a healthy and strong spring could land him a spot on the Mariners roster. His only competition for a backup outfield position appears to be Sam Haggerty and Taylor Trammell. The Mariners were fortunate to be able to hold onto Marlowe despite trading three outfielders this off-season. Marlowe will be an intriguing outfielder to follow this spring.
Under-the-radar Mariner #3 RHP Emerson Hancock
Healthy and ready to take on Spring Training, Emerson Hancock is another interesting prospect to follow this spring. Hancock is looking to showcase his pitching skills ahead of the 2024 season. He made just three major league starts last year, due to a shoulder injury back in August which sidelined him for the rest of 2023. Now that Hancock has recovered from a right shoulder strain, he is up and throwing again, with a chance to be a part of the Mariners rotation or even be a relief option out of the bullpen.
Hancock was the Mariners first pick in the 2020 MLB Draft at sixth overall out of the University of Georgia. He had a solid 2023 season in AA Arkansas prior to his call-up to the big leagues. Posting a 4.32 ERA and an (11-5) record for the Arkansas Travelers along with 107 SO in 98 IP. Hancock is capable of being a starter for the Mariners and how they decide to use him in Spring Training is going to be intriguing.
The Mariners certainly will want to be careful with Hancock, given his injury history. What roles they decide to use him this year are still up in the air. At the moment, Hancock likely slots in as the M's sixth starter coming into the season and could see long relief opportunities as well. His array of pitches make him a fascinating pitcher to follow both in Spring Training and throughout the 2024 season. Should Hancock stay healthy, he has the potential to be a force in the Mariners bullpen in 2024.