5 Mariners players who could be the difference between success and failure in 2024

Mariners Difference Maker #3: JP Crawford

Speaking of JP Crawford, he is next up on the list. He had such a massive improvement in 2023, that it's understandable to expect a bit of a drop back to normalcy in 2024.

Unless that is, those changes at Driveline are longer lasting and are a sign of what JP Crawford has become, instead of just a flash in the pan that will be an outlier to his career. There are plenty of reasons to believe that the numbers from last year are sustainable and that they weren't just luck-based.

His eye was much better at the plate, leading the American League in walks and setting the stage more often for Julio. His launch angle was up a bit, as was hit exit velo, sweet spot %, and hard-hit rate. He was topping it less, making less weak contact, and barreling the ball up more often. There is a lot more red across his rankings; they are all good signs. His BABIP was only .314 as well, which is nothing crazy.

I think getting the same JP we saw last year would be a success for this lineup. If he can set the table like last year, doing it for Julio, Haniger, Garver, Raleigh, or Raley (whoever is at the 2/3/4), it's going to be a massive indicator of this team's success or failure in 2024.