Recent Mariners bust has quietly resuscitated his career in the minors

When the Seattle Mariners’ right field situation was in shambles earlier this season, fans were ready to cling to any lifeline. That lifeline appeared to be Leody Taveras, a former top prospect turned Texas Rangers castoff.

The move sparked curiosity, not necessarily because of what Taveras had been doing in 2025, but because of what he might still become. It felt a little like when the Mariners scooped up Victor Robles off waivers — a still-young, toolsy outfielder in need of a fresh start.

But while Robles injected a jolt of energy, Taveras’ arrival was far less electric. His big league stint in Seattle was forgettable at best with a .174/.198/.272 slash line and little to show in the way of game-changing moments. The Mariners quickly designated him for assignment, and after clearing waivers, he was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma.

That could’ve been the quiet end to his Seattle story. Instead, Taveras has flipped the script.

Mariners’ early-season bust is making noise in Tacoma

In Tacoma, the 26-year-old switch-hitter has been a different player entirely. Over his last 37 games, he’s posted a .919 OPS, driven in 37 runs, and has started to look like the guy analysts once raved about. His at-bats have been competitive, his swings are sharper and his confidence (something that looked shattered in Seattle) seems fully restored.

Is it enough to earn a September call-up? That’s where reality kicks in. Once a player is outrighted off the 40-man roster, the path back to the big leagues isn’t simple. And with the Mariners deep in a postseason race, they’re unlikely to gamble on a feel-good comeback story unless it clearly makes the roster better.

If Taveras doesn’t get the call, he’s not without options. With over three years of MLB service time, he can elect minor league free agency at season’s end. For a player who’s shown he can still produce, there should be interest from Seattle or another club willing to see if his minor league resurgence is the start of something bigger.

For now, his revival is flying under the radar. But in a year where the Mariners’ outfield carousel has been spinning non-stop, Leody Taveras is quietly making a case that his career isn’t done yet, not by a long shot.