Seattle Mariners Star Julio Rodriguez Led All of Spring Training in Awesome Category
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If the Seattle Mariners are going to make the playoffs in 2025, superstar outfielder Julio Rodriguez will have to be a driving force in the effort.
Rodriguez, 24, is a two-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger winner, but he's coming off a down year by his standards. He hit .273 with 20 homers and 68 RBI, but he battled some frustrating inconsistency and a mid-season ankle injury.
However, the hope is that a full year of coaching under Dan Wilson, Edgar Martinez and Kevin Seitzer will unlock Rodriguez's full potential and allow him to carry the lineup, which he's certainly capable of.
And if his spring training is any indication, he could be in for a big year. His 23 RBIs led all players in spring training. Rodriguez connected for five home runs in the Cactus League, including two grand slams.
Your 2025 Spring Training stat leaders across baseball pic.twitter.com/zjNoB3UamW
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 26, 2025
The biggest issue for the M's in 2024 was a tepid offense and Rodriguez coming out of the gate strong would go a long way toward fixing that issue this season. The Mariners made it a point to get him more at-bats in spring training with the hope that he will enter the season with some momentum. He hit .239, but he amassed 46 at-bats in total. Several M's regulars had over 50.
The Mariners will open up the regular season on Thursday night with the first of four games against the Athletics at T-Mobile Park. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PT as Logan Gilbert pitches against Luis Severino.
Mariners on SI will have on-site coverage all year from T-Mobile Park.
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