Last year the Mariners started 2-0. Then they lost 7 games in a row. In 2010, the Mariners won their first game and then lost 6 of their next 7. In 2008, Seattle won their first game and then lost 5 of their next 6. I’m going to stop there. The point is the Mariners have started every season since 2007 by jumping out to grab at least a share of the division lead and then promptly losing it.
Now, keep that in mind while you read the rest of this post so I don’t look like a fool once the Mariners go get swept by Texas.
The Seattle Mariners have scored 15 runs in the last 2 games. Yes, they won and that’s the most important thing but take a second to reflect on all of the times in the last 2 0r 3 years that this team has been on the verge of unwatchable because of the inept offense and that will make you appreciate these last 2 games even more. Everyone got a hit. Chone Figgins had 6 hits, and 2 of them were for extra bases. Michael Saunders hit a double and a home run. The bottom of the order was good. The top of the order was great. The middle was decent but it didn’t have to be anymore than that. This won’t continue but these 2 games showed us what the offense could be. Singles galore with a few extra base hits thrown in. If Montero and Smoak show off some of their upside this offense could be (dare I say it) good. Not great, or anywhere close to it, but good.
I’m going to go player-by-player in the lineup, tell you what I see and then jump to the bullet points.
Chone Figgins looked like a completely different hitter. He hasn’t swung with that much authority since his days with the Angels. Yes, the bunts were nice and well done but that’s not what had me excited. At times in the last 2 years I honestly couldn’t picture a hard hit ball coming off of Figgins bat. Chone hit 5 line drives in 2 games. Not soft liners either. He tucks his shoulder in, loads up and swings hard at hittable pitches. He was measly swinging through pitches right down the middle last year but the last 2 days there was no sign of that guy. I’m not saying this is a turning point or even close to it. It could just be apparition in the Figgins awful span as a Mariner. His last gasp of trying not to get cut. But, confidence is an impossible thing to gauge and this psychological move to lead-off (because surely you wouldn’t move him there for any other reason) may actually work.
I could write a whole post on Dustin Ackley’s swing alone. It’s a thing of beauty and sooner or later, all left-handed hitters will begin to take his approach to hitting. Instead, I’ll just leave it at this. Dustin Ackley is really good, and will probably be great before too long.
Ichiro is Ichiro. I was never too worried about him and I’m still not overly concerned. His line drive rate last year was a bit alarming and it seemed like he hardly ever hit the ball hard. But, for all the people who say that he’s selfish, Ichiro is one of the hardest workers in the majors and he’s not going to be held down like he was last year. It doesn’t matter what Jon Heyman, talk radio, and fans who don’t pay attention to actual baseball say, Ichiro is good and has been so valuable to this franchise. I don’t see that changing this year.
Justin Smoak is having a little trouble with the inside fastball. I’m fine with this. I know it sounds weird to say that it’s okay that the teams cleanup hitter is getting jammed by 90 mph fastballs because he’s behind them but stay with me. Smoak would get in trouble last year because he would pull off of pitches and be way out ahead. He wouldn’t make a commitment to hitting to left field and wouldn’t stay behind the ball. We all learn in little league that you need to hit the ball where it’s pitched and that’s what Justin Smoak is doing, or trying to do now. He’ll get around on the inside fastball soon, but I’m happy to see him hitting line drives to the left side of the field (which he’s done if you go back and look).
Jesus Montero is hitting the ball fairly hard but it seems like he may be out in front of the ball a little bit. I think he grounded out to the shortstop 4 times in the last 2 games which happens while trying to pull an outside pitch. Could he be a little anxious? I think it’s likely. His power is there, you can see it, but he just needs a few games to calm down and remember he’s going to be the next Edgar because he drives the ball to right center.
Kyle Seager is good too. He’s like Dustin Ackley in that he’s drilling line drives everywhere. He may not have the power Ackley has but he’s going to hit the ball and hit line drives.
Miguel Olivo is still Miguel Olivo but I’m okay with that. He’s valuable in his own right just not as valuable as some catchers. I like the guy as frustrating as he can be at times.
Michael Saunders is… Wait, that was Michael Saunders? He can’t hit home runs off of lefties. Tonight Saunders worked the count against good ol’ Jerry Blevins and then drilled a home run deep to right field. His swing is a little shorter and a little more compact but the key really is that he’s more aggressive when he’s in the right count. His double to center last night was a beauty and just another example of him taking advantage of a hittable pitch. Him being aggressive with hittable pitches is the biggest change I saw but I’m no scout.
Brendan Ryan had to use the uncomfortable hotel pillow last night and hurt his neck but before that he was tucking his front shoulder in and drilling the ball to left field. He was also swinging with authority and just looked good. If he can hit .280 or close to it and play 120-135 games he’s going to be a huge asset.
Munenori Kawasaki is kind of cool. Jeff Sullivan said he could be a bad version of Ichiro which is just fine. That’s valuable for a middle infielder. Plus, did you see how slick he is with the glove? He looks good and I think the M’s will try to find him more at-bats as the season goes on.A few bullet holes after the jump. Continue reading →
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