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Could this former Diamondback be the Mariners' breakout star of 2024?

There is a ton of helium centered on outfielder Dominic Canzone this spring, which if realized could be a huge boon for a Mariner team looking to return to the playoffs.

By Trevor Pedro

Seattle Mariners v Tampa Bay Rays
Seattle Mariners v Tampa Bay Rays / Mike Carlson/GettyImages
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Spring training is both breathtaking and captivating. We often see some intriguing battles, non-roster invitees make their mark, and there is always the breakout star of camp. The past few springs included Paul Sewald, George Kirby, Julio Rodriguez, and Taylor Trammell in the breakout bucket. Everyone knew Julio was unique, so seeing him rake wasn't much of a surprise. This year's breakout candidate is less well known, at least for national media and fans of the other 29 teams.

Dominic Canzone was a big piece of the Paul Sewald trade because of two main aspects. The track record shows a player who hit at every minor league stop and dominates the zone with a 12% walk and 16% strikeout rate. The 26-year-old outfielder and first baseman has a high-contact approach that mitigates the swing-and-miss. But the standout tools are evident by looking at the following table. He hits the ball hard, especially fastballs.

Barrel Rate

Hard Hit

EV vs FB

BA vs FB

Canzone '23

12.1%

42.6%

94.1

.415

The key to Canzone's progression is recognizing and doing damage against breaking balls, which (.100) was sub-optimal.

Manager Scott Servais has highlighted the Ohio State University alum multiple times over the past week, mentioning his added 15lbs of lower body weight and health. The latter is interesting because no one knew Canzone joined the Mariners at the trade deadline, banged up and struggling through injury, which makes shots like this remarkable.

The projection systems all think Canzone is an above-average bat, with Steamer being the most bullish with a 108 wRC+ and a solid slash line (.254/.312/.434). Servais and new offensive coordinator Brant Brown would sign up for that production daily and twice on Sundays, especially if Canzone is a bottom-third-of-the-order mainstay.

An outfield of Luke Raley, Julio Rodriguez, and Dominic Canzone, with Mitch Haniger sprinkled in, could be one of the best Servais has had in years. If Canzone translates the 'best shape of his life' and a healthy spring into continued progress hitting spin, we could be looking at the breakout star of camp.

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