Mariners Insider, Seattle Sports

Shannon Drayer

Shannon Drayer is the Mariners Insider for Seattle Sports. She hosts the Mariners pregame and postgame shows as well as the Hot Stove and Cactus League Report shows on Seattle Sports, and also heads up an offseason podcast for SeattleSports.com. A University of Washington graduate, she joined Seattle Sports for the station's launch in 2009 and has covered the Mariners since 1999. Follow Shannon: @shannondrayer

SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 16, 2019
Drayer: Ichiro’s future the focus during Mariners’ first day in Tokyo

The Mariners' first day in Japan is in the books, and there is no question who the star of the show is in Tokyo: Ichiro.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 15, 2019
Drayer: Yusei Kikuchi ready for unique Mariners debut in his home country

Yusei Kikuchi will make his first Major League start next week pitching for the Mariners in his home country of Japan. The left-hander talked about his journey and unique start to his MLB career.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 13, 2019
Drayer: Mariners’ 30 players for Japan trip come into focus with cuts

With a few moves on Wednesday, the Mariners' spring training roster is down to 35. And with five players injured, the 30 men heading into Japan are set.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 13, 2019
Mariners outright UT Kristopher Negrón, roster down to 39

By outrighting Kristopher Negrón to Triple-A, it seems to signal that Dylan Moore has won the utility spot on the Mariners' bench out of spring training.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 12, 2019
Mariners notebook: Rain providing obstacles for Servais, pitching staff

In a spring shortened already by the Mariners' upcoming trip to Japan, every game is precious. So the cancellation of Tuesday's game against the White Sox was an unwelcome hitch in their plans.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 11, 2019
Notebook: Mariners RHP Gerson Bautista OK after injury scare

Mariners manager Scott Servais thought there was no chance Gerson Bautista was OK after watching his injury scare Sunday. On Monday, however, was good news.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 11, 2019
Mariners 3B Kyle Seager (hand) set for surgery, will miss April

Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager will make his first career trip to the injured list following surgery to repair torn tendons in his left hand. Shannon Drayer has details on what it means for the M's.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 10, 2019
Drayer: Bad day for Mariners with injury news and results on the field

The update on Kyle Seager's hand injury isn't good, and neither was what transpired on the field in split-squad games for the Mariners in a rough Sunday in Arizona.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 10, 2019
Notebook: Mariners set for final split-squad day; injury updates on Kyle Seager, Hunter Strickland

Mariners insider Shannon Drayer checks in from spring training in Peoria, Ariz., with lineups for Seattle's final day of split-squad games, plus the latest on the hand injury to third baseman Kyle Seager.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 9, 2019
Mariners’ No. 3 prospect Justin Dunn turning heads and learning from veterans in spring training

Justin Dunn was turning heads with his arm when he took aim at a dunk tank at the age of 7, and the 23-year-old right-handed has been getting similar reactions at Mariners spring training.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 9, 2019
Mariners to start Marco Gonzales, Yusei Kikuchi in Japan series vs A’s

For the first time since 2008, a pitcher other than Félix Hernández will start Opening Day for the Mariners. Marco Gonzales and Yusei Kikuchi will pitch their two-game opening series in Japan.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 7, 2019
Mariners notebook: Justus Sheffield shines again, Mitch Haniger gets back in batter’s box

Left-handed pitcher Justus Sheffield impressed again in a Mariners intrasquad game Thursday. "All three pitches are working," Scott Servais said. "I really like where he is at."
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 7, 2019
Drayer: Jake Fraley’s strong impression with Mariners goes deeper than a spring hot streak

Outfield prospect Jake Fraley has been one of the Mariners' pleasant surprises this spring, but there's more to like than just big numbers in exhibition games. "I like how he is wired," manager Scott Servais said.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 5, 2019
Drayer: Mariners OF Domingo Santana, Jake Fraley continue big springs

A pair of new Mariners outfielders, Domingo Santana and prospect Jake Fraley, kept up their hot hitting in a 7-7 tie with the Padres with big home runs. Shannon Drayer has the details from Peoria.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 5, 2019
Mariners notebook: Injury updates on Mallex Smith, Sam Tuivailala, more

Shannon Drayer checks in from spring training with a packed Mariners notebook that includes injury updates on Mallex Smith and others, the latest on Yusei Kikuchi's MLB transition and more.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 3, 2019
Drayer: Mariners’ prospects are exciting, but patience and perspective is necessary

The Mariners certainly have some players that are worth getting excited about as prospects, but it is important to keep that excitement in perspective and expectations reasonable, writes Shannon Drayer.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 2, 2019
Notebook: Mariners’ Yusei Kikuchi still adjusting to MLB pre-game schedule

It seems that one of the bigger challenges Mariners left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is facing in adapting to baseball in the US is not what happens on the mound, but getting to the mound.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 1, 2019
Drayer: Justus Sheffield strong again, Haniger HRs as Mariners beat Brewers

Shannon Drayer details the action from Mariners spring training on Friday, including Justus Sheffield's impressive two innings, another Mitch Haniger home run and a triple from 19-year-old prospect Jarred Kelenic.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Mar 1, 2019
Mariners notebook: RHP prospect Justin Dunn convincing Scott Servais he’s a starter

Mariners manager Scott Servais at first thought pitching prospect Justin Dunn might be bullpen-bound. But after seeing him pitch twice this spring, Servais has changed course. "He's definitely a starter, he has that kind of makeup."
SEATTLE MARINERS | Feb 28, 2019
Drayer: Mariners prospects Julio Rodriguez, Kyle Lewis shine in win over White Sox

The Mariners' future gave fans plenty to be excited about in a Cactus League win over the White Sox, with Julio Rodriguez, Kyle Lewis and Braden Bishop leading the way in an impressive eighth inning.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Feb 28, 2019
Mariners notebook: Dee Gordon’s new patience at plate ‘stands out’ to Servais

After drawing just nine walks all of last season, Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon is showing improved patience this spring. "He's being more selective. It's a marked difference in approach," manager Scott Servais said.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Feb 27, 2019
Drayer: Led by players like Mitch Haniger, the Mariners are speaking a new hitting language

Hitters are having to catch up to pitchers when it comes to how technology is being implemented, but with players like Mitch Haniger and an evolution in how they talk about hitting, the Mariners are making that a reality.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Feb 27, 2019
Notebook: Mariners’ plan for opening series in Japan slowly forming

The Mariners are staying in rotation in spring training, which could signify Marco Gonzales may start in Japan. "He's getting ready for his first start," Scott Servais cryptically said.
SEATTLE MARINERS | Feb 26, 2019
Notebook: What Scott Servais makes of strong impressions made by Mariners’ young players in camp

Mariners manager Scott Servais talked Tuesday about the strong showings by the team's prospects and why he'll be more connected than ever this season to what is going on in the farm system.