Mariners rookie’s defense wasn’t a concern in opening day win

Of all the positions on the field for the Seattle Mariners entering this season, second base was the biggest question mark.

Randy Arozarena’s bat spike had meaning to this Mariners season

With Seattle deciding to move Jorge Polanco to third base coming off offseason knee surgery, the choices at second base were down to Dylan Moore and Ryan Bliss.

Moore, who won the American League Gold Glove as a utility player in 2024, provides excellent defense at second, which is considered his best position. But he’s never been a true everyday player and had a rough spring training at the plate with a .136 average and .458 OPS.

Bliss, a 25-year-old rookie who had just 33 games at the big league level under his belt entering this year, hit well this spring (.308 average, .787 OPS), but there were plenty of concerns about his defense.

It was ultimately Bliss who got the nod at second in Thursday’s season opener, and it sure seemed like he heard the noise about his defense. And he was up to the challenge.

Bliss had seven chances in the field, and he turned them into seven outs. Most were routine plays, but not all of them. And Bliss actually turned in one of the best defensive plays of the game, making a nice sliding grab on a hard hit up the middle by Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson, then spinning to make the throw to first baseman Rowdy Tellez for the first out of the sixth inning.

The performance by Bliss in the field could go a long way in making him comfortable in his first shot at a regular MLB role.

“How good is it that he had so many chances at second base?” Mariners insider Shannon Drayer said Friday on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “He made the routine ones and he made a brilliant one, as well. How good is he feeling?

“He’s not a person that lacks for confidence, but making it in that situation – OK, I’m making my opening day debut in the starting lineup. I’ve got a full house here, all eyes are on me at this new position. And hopefully that is something that really kind of gets him on a good path there.”

Bliss contributed on offense, too. While he went hitless in four plate appearances, he reached twice on walks and stole a base.

It was Bliss’ offensive production in Cactus League play that earned him the opening day opportunity over the 32-year-old Moore, and that stood out to Drayer as something that may be different for the Mariners under manager Dan Wilson, who is in his first full year at the helm.

“So often you go into spring training and it doesn’t matter what they do. Those decisions are pretty much already made, and it’s more on the track record,” Drayer said. “And instead, yes, Bliss won that spot in spring training. And it paid off last night.”

Hear the full Brock and Salk conversation with Mariners insider Shannon Drayer in the podcast at this link or in the player below. Catch Brock and Salk from 6-10 a.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• How Mariners opening day star Polanco feels different this year
• Seattle Mariners Observations: What stood out from opening day win
• Watch: M’s legend Ichiro fires 84 mph first pitch to Dan Wilson
• Manager Dan Wilson breaks down his Seattle Mariners lineup
• See the Seattle Mariners’ full 26-man roster to open the season

Related

Salk: Should the Seahawks make another trade?Seahawks Extension Candidates: Who’s most important?Quenton Nelson’s former coach sees Seahawks as perfect fitBrock: 3 things to like about Seahawks’ trade for Quenton NelsonWhere Quenton Nelson fits on Seahawks’ offensive lineBrock and Salk: Quenton Nelson trade a ‘steal’ for Seahawks