Ryan Bliss Shares What He Needs to Improve on For Seattle Mariners in 2025
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Speaking on Seattle Sports 710 on Tuesday night, Seattle Mariners second baseman Ryan Bliss shared one of the biggest things he wants to improve on in 2025: Hitting the fastball.
Thanks to Kirk Dirt Baseball for a transcription of his comments, and additional perspective as well.
Ryan Bliss on Mariners Hot Stove Show just now:
“…I know something for me is I gotta hit the fastball”
Bliss hit .350 against breaking balls in 2024 but just .194 against the fastball.
Ryan Bliss on Mariners Hot Stove Show just now:
— Kick Dirt Baseball (@KickDirtBB) January 29, 2025
“…I know something for me is I gotta hit the fastball”
Encouraging to hear the young 2B is working on what was a clear problem for him at MLB level last season. https://t.co/hp1kpyIuc6
The 25-year-old Bliss is a native of California who the Mariners acquired in a 2023 trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made his major league debut last season, hitting .222 over 63 at-bats (33 games). He had two home runs, nine RBI and five stolen bases.
As it stands right now, Bliss is slated to receive a large number of at-bats in 2025. After the Mariners declined Jorge Polanco's option at the outset of the offseason, they've done nothing to replace him. Bliss, Dylan Moore and top prospect Cole Young will all vie for time in spring training.
The Mariners could go out and sign someone before spring training begins, but the options are dwindling. Veteran Jose Iglesias is out there, as is Polanco. The Mariners also need help at third base and reportedly have just $12-15 million in available resources to spend.
Seattle is coming off a season in which they went 85-77, missing the playoffs by one game and finishing second in the American League West.
Mariners pitchers and catchers report to Peoria, Ariz. on Feb. 12.
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