The Seattle Mariners started playing well last year but faded down fast. This franchise plays in a pitcher friendly ballpark, so their batters don't get plenty of due. Let's check out the hitting lineup to see what it will be like in 2012. For more information on this franchise have a look at our 2012 Seattle Mariners preview.
Miguel Olivo (Catcher) - Coming over from the Colorado Rockies, Olivo hit 19 homers with 62 RBI in his first year with the Mariners. But he had a poor .224 batting average, which will keep him from starting every night. Not only were the Mariners able to trade for Jesus Montero this winter, they also acquired John Jaso from Tampa Bay last year.
Justin Smoak (First Base) - Smoak started off the year powerful, but a thumb injury and the demise of his pop caused his 2011 year to end on a bad note. The 25-year-old finished up batting just .224 with 15 homers and 55 RBI. He can still have a better year in 2012, but he has to keep healthy and properly incentivized to have any opportunity at a breakout year in this years' year.
Dustin Ackley (2nd Base) - After a midseason call-up in 2011, the Mariners are counting on Dustin Ackley to provide a spark offensively. The previous No. 2 pick of the 2009 draft showed everybody a glimpse of his potential when he hit .273 alongside seven triples, 6 home runs, 36 RBI, and 6 stolen bases in just 90 games. Although he ought to be more of a threat for the team this season, it is likely that his best days are a few brief years away.
Brendan Ryan (Shortstop) -Ryan's price lies on the defensive end of the field, as he just batted .248 with only 3 HRs and 39 RBI. He was able to add 13 steals, but he simply is not much of a threat on offense.
Kyle Seager (3rd Base) - Fellow youngster Alex Liddi is predicted to fight Seager for the starting spot. Either way, it does not look like the Mariners will get a lot out of this position. Seager batted just .258 with 3 homers and 13 RBI in 53 games, while his counterpart Liddi finished up just batting .225 with 3 homers and 6 RBI in 15 games.
Mike Carp (Left Field) - While getting an extended look in the big leagues, Carp showed a lot of talent. He hit a respectable .276 with 12 homers and 46 RBI in just 290 at-bats. Seattle needs him to continue to develop, as he's projected to hit in the middle of the order this year.
Franklin Gutierrez (Center Field) - After a gloomy offensive performance in 2011, he needs to bounce back in 2012 if he would like to keep his job. He batted just .224 with one homer and 19 RBI in 92 games. He was troubled by wounds, but is a stellar defender. He just wishes to bounce back to keep his standing with the franchise.
Ichiro Suzuki (Right Field) - After 10 great years with at least 200 hits and a .300-plus average, it finally appears like Ichiro is on the fall. He hit just.272 with 184 hits in 161 games. He is just one year removed from hitting .315 with 214 hits, but at 38, Father Time suggests that we will continue to see a decrease more than anything.
Jesus Montero (Designated Hitter) - Eventually, Montero will become the team's everyday catcher, but for the time being he figures to get the majority of his at-bats as the DH. The 22-year-old hit.328 with four home runs and 12 RBI in just 61 at-bats with the Yankees in 2011. The bigger query is if Montero can hold up during a full season.
Miguel Olivo (Catcher) - Coming over from the Colorado Rockies, Olivo hit 19 homers with 62 RBI in his first year with the Mariners. But he had a poor .224 batting average, which will keep him from starting every night. Not only were the Mariners able to trade for Jesus Montero this winter, they also acquired John Jaso from Tampa Bay last year.
Justin Smoak (First Base) - Smoak started off the year powerful, but a thumb injury and the demise of his pop caused his 2011 year to end on a bad note. The 25-year-old finished up batting just .224 with 15 homers and 55 RBI. He can still have a better year in 2012, but he has to keep healthy and properly incentivized to have any opportunity at a breakout year in this years' year.
Dustin Ackley (2nd Base) - After a midseason call-up in 2011, the Mariners are counting on Dustin Ackley to provide a spark offensively. The previous No. 2 pick of the 2009 draft showed everybody a glimpse of his potential when he hit .273 alongside seven triples, 6 home runs, 36 RBI, and 6 stolen bases in just 90 games. Although he ought to be more of a threat for the team this season, it is likely that his best days are a few brief years away.
Brendan Ryan (Shortstop) -Ryan's price lies on the defensive end of the field, as he just batted .248 with only 3 HRs and 39 RBI. He was able to add 13 steals, but he simply is not much of a threat on offense.
Kyle Seager (3rd Base) - Fellow youngster Alex Liddi is predicted to fight Seager for the starting spot. Either way, it does not look like the Mariners will get a lot out of this position. Seager batted just .258 with 3 homers and 13 RBI in 53 games, while his counterpart Liddi finished up just batting .225 with 3 homers and 6 RBI in 15 games.
Mike Carp (Left Field) - While getting an extended look in the big leagues, Carp showed a lot of talent. He hit a respectable .276 with 12 homers and 46 RBI in just 290 at-bats. Seattle needs him to continue to develop, as he's projected to hit in the middle of the order this year.
Franklin Gutierrez (Center Field) - After a gloomy offensive performance in 2011, he needs to bounce back in 2012 if he would like to keep his job. He batted just .224 with one homer and 19 RBI in 92 games. He was troubled by wounds, but is a stellar defender. He just wishes to bounce back to keep his standing with the franchise.
Ichiro Suzuki (Right Field) - After 10 great years with at least 200 hits and a .300-plus average, it finally appears like Ichiro is on the fall. He hit just.272 with 184 hits in 161 games. He is just one year removed from hitting .315 with 214 hits, but at 38, Father Time suggests that we will continue to see a decrease more than anything.
Jesus Montero (Designated Hitter) - Eventually, Montero will become the team's everyday catcher, but for the time being he figures to get the majority of his at-bats as the DH. The 22-year-old hit.328 with four home runs and 12 RBI in just 61 at-bats with the Yankees in 2011. The bigger query is if Montero can hold up during a full season.
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