Video: Jean Segura homers in 2nd game back with Mariners
Mar 22, 2017, 5:14 PM | Updated: Mar 23, 2017, 9:30 am
In 2016, the Mariners ranked 28th out of the 30 MLB teams in OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) from players at the shortstop position, with just four home runs (29th) and 48 RBIs (28th). Offensive production from the position has long been a problem for the team, too – the last time the Mariners ranked higher than 19th in the league in OPS by shortstops was 2007, which was 10 years and six managers ago.
So with that taken into account, seeing Jean Segura reach the berm at the Peoria Sports Complex is a welcome sight these days for Mariners fans.
That’s precisely what Seattle’s new shortstop did on Wednesday afternoon in a 9-8 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in what was just his second game back with the team following the Dominican Republic’s run in the World Baseball Classic.
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The Mariners seem in line to finally have a shortstop that ranks in the upper echelon of the position rather than near the bottom. That was as big of a reason as any general manager Jerry Dipoto went out and got Segura in a blockbuster trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks early in the offseason, and Segura’s spring numbers indicate he’s ready to pick where he left off after leading the National League in hits last year.
Wednesday’s homer was his second of the spring in just 24 at-bats, as the Dominicans’ long stay in the WBC took Segura away from the Cactus League for a good chunk of time. He’s been good whether it’s been in a Mariners uniform or the red, white and blue of the DR, though. With Seattle, he has a .333 average and 1.027 OPS, and he went 4 for 11 (.364) with two doubles and three RBIs in two WBC games.
