Salk’s Mariners observations: Gordon glides in OF, Haniger has star potential

With 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock and Salk in Arizona this week for Mariners spring training, Mike Salk checks in with some observations.

• Dee Gordon glides in the outfield. It was fun watching him. He plays out there with a little flourish, some swag. He has an outfielder’s body and everyone has been really impressed with his attitude and personality. He also has a cannon for an arm (see video).

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• The ball comes off Mitch Haniger’s bat a little differently. He just stings line drives. Of all the Mariners’ injuries, his hand issue is the one I’m watching because he has star potential.

• One guy that I am rooting for is reliever Dan Altavilla. He’s a relatively small name with big upside. He was throwing in the high 90s with his fastball with a nice slider, and he would give the Mariners actual depth in the bullpen and a real strikeout guy to pair with their big guns. He has been the talk of camp.

• Manager Scott Servais mentioned third baseman Kyle Seager as a key to success and he has also had a really good camp. He looks thinner and shortened his swing. It has helped him hit to left field a little. He can drive in runs in this lineup.

• Jean Segura may not look the part, but he has one plus plus skill: hand eye coordination. It’s hard to measure but he has it. He hits a lot of bad balls.

More news and analysis from Mariners spring training

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