Should the Seattle Mariners Drop Julio Rodriguez in the Batting Order?

Though Rodriguez hit a double off Paul Skenes on Sunday, he's just 2-for-23 in his last five games, prompting us to wonder if it's time to move him down in the order.

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) reacts to striking out against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park on July 3. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

It feels, to me, like it's time to move Julio Rodriguez down in the batting order for the Seattle Mariners. Not because Rodriguez is as bad as the vitriol online suggests, but because he could stand to benefit from a different perspective, and the team could stand to benefit from relieving some of the pressure on him. Much of that pressure is clearly self-inflicted.

And I don't want this to be a permanent change, but it's necessary for now.

Rodriguez has hit second much of the year, and now, he's doing it in front of Cal Raleigh. While the logic may suggest that Rodriguez is getting more pitches to hit in front of Raleigh, he could also be getting others pitcher's best pitches, as they want to do all they can to avoid Raleigh stepping to the plate. That's a tough position to be in.

Though he was just named an All-Star for the third time in his career, Rodriguez is hitting just .247 this season, and he's 2-for-23 in his last five games. He had just a .386 slugging percentage in June and has a .290 OPS in six July games.

In my opinion, the M's would be best served hitting him fifth under the current lineup set-up. If the Mariners are content to hit Raleigh third, I don't want Rodriguez in a spot where teams are pitching around Raleigh just to get to Rodriguez. That could further mess with his confidence. Perhaps Jorge Polanco, or Randy Arozarena, could move into that two spot. Or, Raleigh himself could move to second, allowing Rodriguez to potentially hit fourth.

Regardless, Rodriguez is clearly pressing, and a trip down in the order may help him alleviate some of that pressure, and it may help the team get more at-bats from hot players.

For instance, Arozarena hit six homers in seven games last week.

The Mariners will open up a series with the New York Yankees on Tuesday at 4:05 p.m. PT. Seattle is 48-42.

Related Stories on Seattle Mariners

NEW PODCAST IS HERE: Brady is back after a holiday hiatus, talking about the Mariners 11-6 stretch over the last 17 games, Julio Rodriguez's inclusion in the All-Star Game, the upcoming series with the Yankees, and he's joined by Dr. Carl Cirino of the Hospital for Special Surgery, who talks about Bryce Miller, Victor Robles and the impact of the All-Star Game on Cal Raleigh. CLICK HERE:

JULIO's SPLITS ARE WILD: Julio Rodriguez has been a very solid player on the road this season, but his numbers at home? They leave something to be desired. CLICK HERE:

The M's and THE PLAYOFF RACE: Entering Monday, the Mariners had a 70 percent chance to make the playoffs. Here's where that stacks up. CLICK HERE:

Follow Seattle Mariners on SI on social media

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @RefuseToLosePod. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE.