5 players making an impact for the Mariners in September
There are two weeks remaining in this shortened baseball season, and the Mariners, young as they are, are very much in the mix for a playoff spot.
Entering Monday’s doubleheader against the A’s, which opens the final 10-game homestand of the season, Seattle (21-25) sits just 1 1/2 games back of the Astros for second place in the American League West.
The Mariners have benefited from contributions up and down their roster across a hot 14-7 stretch that started midway through August, and are getting big performances from some newcomers in September, in addition to the consistency veterans like ace Marco Gonzales and Kyle Seager have brought all season.
Here are five players that have impressed for Seattle the first two weeks of September:
INF TY FRANCE
Following the Mariners’ seven-player trade with the Padres at the end of August, general manager Jerry Dipoto mentioned he had been trying to acquire France for some time.
It’s clear why.
In the nine games he’s played with the Mariners since the trade entering Monday, France leads the club in batting average (.364), on-base percentage (.447), slugging percentage (.667) and OPS (1.114).
He also has two doubles, a triple, two homers, six RBI and five walks to seven strikeouts in that stretch.
Without a solid landing spot for France just yet, Seattle has tried him at second base, third and designated hitter. Wherever he sticks in the infield with the Mariners in the future, this much is already obvious — the bat plays.
He’s logged at least one hit in eight of his nine games with the Mariners, has three multi-hit games in that stretch, and has never failed to reach base since joining the club.
“It’s been nice,” France said postgame Saturday, following a 3-for-4 performance with his most recent home run. “Getting the consistent at-bats and getting settled at the plate, it’s made a huge difference. To come in and contribute right away feels good.”
UTIL DYLAN MOORE
The 28-year-old utility player, after playing 113 games with the Mariners as a rookie last season, was having a breakout year before a wrist sprain landed him on the injured list in late August.
He was hitting .282/.364/.538 with five doubles, five homers, 10 RBI, seven walks to 25 strikeouts and six stolen bases in 21 games before missing the next 10.
How has Moore been since his return? Just as consistent. He’s hitting .265/.342/.529 with three doubles, two homers, five RBI, to walks to seven strikeouts and five more stolen bases in nine appearances.
Moore’s 11 stolen bags this season lead the Mariners and rank tied for third in the majors.
He’s been such a consistent hitter for Seattle this season, regardless of position — he’s appeared at every position but pitcher and catcher this year — he’s suddenly become an every day player, and a staple at the top of the batting order.
“I knew that my opportunities would be a little bit staggered at first, but I knew that if I showed a little bit of consistency and a willingness to play multiple positions, and show my value that way, that I would get a shot,” Moore said. “That’s all this game is is opportunities and trying to take advantage of them, and I’m happy that I’ve done that so far and I want to continue to do that.”
INF/OF JOSE MARMOLEJOS
Marmolejos was named to Seattle’s Opening Day roster and made his major league debut in the season opener in Houston in left field.
But, the 27-year-old rookie’s first trip to the big leagues was short. Marmolejos hit just 3-for-29 in eight games before he was optioned back to the Mariners’ alternate training site in Tacoma.
He made some mechanical adjustments while he was there, but his main focus was trying not to get ahead of himself, he said last month, and just enjoying the game.
Marmolejos returned to the Mariners for their doubleheader in San Diego on Aug. 27. He was listed as the 29th man, and not necessarily expected to play as an extra option off the bench, but replaced an injured Evan White in the first game.
He finished 3-for-7 that day with a double, two homers — including his first career grand slam — and six RBI.
“When I got the news (about being activated), I was like, ‘OK, if you get in there just enjoy the game, go have fun, take it a pitch at a time. Just trust what you’ve been working on, stay there.’ I wasn’t really thinking about results, it just happened,” Marmoljeos said postgame that day.
The results have only continued in September. Since returning to the Mariners, Marmolejos is hitting .362/.423/.702 with four doubles, four home runs, 14 RBI and five walks to eight strikeouts in 14 games entering Monday’s homestand opener against the A’s.
His 1.125 OPS not only leads the Mariners in that stretch, but also ranks fifth among AL hitters with at least 50 plate appearances.
What has made the biggest difference for Marmolejos in this latest stint with Seattle?
“I just think relaxing,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said recently. “His first go-around with us, when we started the season, was his first experience ever in the big leagues. You press a little bit, you want it to happen really bad.
“Since he came back and we activated him for that doubleheader over in San Diego, it has been very consistent. … It’s the bat that excites us. He can really swing it.”
LHP JUSTUS SHEFFIELD
The 24-year-old rookie, in his first full season in the majors, entered the year as a potential breakout candidate for the Mariners, and after a pair of shaky starts to open the season, he hasn’t disappointed.
Sheffield is 3-1 in his past six starts with a 2.95 ERA with 35 strikeouts to 10 walks. Take out the one frustrating loss in that bunch to the Angels at the end of August, and Sheffield has five quality starts with an miniscule 1.69 ERA with 29 strikeouts to six walks.
In his two starts in September, he’s tossed a career-high seven innings twice, and allowed two earned runs in each outing. His first career road win Saturday in Phoenix put an end to the Mariners’ recent three-game skid.
Sheffield retired nine of the final 11 batters he faced in that start, and his 66 strikes on 96 pitches were the most he’s thrown in a game in his young career.
“I think I’m kind of starting to figure out a little bit more about myself, especially in these outings,” Sheffield said postgame that day. “I’m learning week to week after each outing about how I’m going about attacking guys, and what pitches I’m using and things like that, so it’s been great to figure out who I am versus big league hitters.”
Sheffield maps out to make at least two more starts before the regular season wraps up.
C LUIS TORRENS
Upon his arrival from San Diego this month, the Mariners made it clear the 24-year-old backstop would get the bulk of the catching reps down the stretch, and he’s impressed so far.
The Mariners have a winning record (4-3) in the seven games Torrens has caught since he was traded from the Padres, and he’s learned the club’s pitchers quickly despite the midseason switch-up.
“Luis is learning as much as anybody right now,” Servais said not long after his new catcher arrived in Seattle. “Everything is so new and fresh to him, regarding our pitchers and what we like to do with our guys.
“But, the one thing I like about Luis, I think he’s creative. He comes up with different ways. He’s thinking the game all the time. I think his baseball IQ is only going to continue to grow at a very rapid pace, because we’re throwing so much at him here.”
Seattle’s pitchers are meshing well with their new catcher, too.
“He’s really smart,” Sheffield said recently. “He can read swings really well, remembers guys’ at-bats from the times before, and the communication is great in between innings. He’s been great so far.”
Torrens’ bat is beginning to heat up, too. He had a pair of hits and drove in two runs in his most recent start Saturday. He is hitting a modest .240/.321/.320 with two doubles, two RBI and three walks to four strikeouts since his arrival.
This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 2:20 PM.
