No doubt: Julio gives red-hot Mariners what they need

Julio Rodríguez has been right in the middle of the Seattle Mariners’ hot streak.

In 12 games since May 18, the Mariners have gone 9-3 to surge above .500 and into first place in the AL West. And over that stretch, Rodríguez has hit .308 (16 for 52) with five home runs, four doubles, eight runs scored and 10 RBIs.

Surging Seattle Mariners finally playing up to lofty expectations

That level of production has been especially important with slugging catcher Cal Raleigh and key offseason addition Brendan Donovan, both 2025 All-Stars, out of action due to injury.

But even before the Mariners caught fire, the 25-year-old Rodríguez may have helped out the team in another way – through his effervescence and steadfast belief in their ability.

Mariners insider Shannon Drayer shared a story on Monday’s edition of Brock and Salk from the team’s last road trip that spotlighted Rodríguez’s optimistic attitude.

“Ryan (Divish of The Seattle Times) and I talked to him after Game 3 in Kansas City that was just a disaster,” Drayer said, referring to an 8-6 loss to the Royals on May 24 as a game the Mariners should have won. The Mariners dropped to 25-29 with that defeat.

“He stood in that locker room and insisted that they’re in great shape.”

The next day, the Mariners started a winning streak that was up to six games entering Monday.

“Somebody had to have that attitude,” Drayer continued. “Somebody had to have that confidence and had to have that little bit of extra. And he carries that regardless.”

Mike Salk said it was just like something he had seen from Rodríguez before the 2025 season.

“(That’s) the same thing he did before last year started in spring training,” said Salk, whose show spends a week each year broadcasting from Mariners spring training in Arizona. “(There was) a lot of frustration around the team and the offseason, (and) Julio’s like, what are you talking about? We’re going to be great. I love this team. Everyone’s like, OK. And then he was absolutely right.”

Responded Drayer: “And it’s not that he’s just right, but somebody’s got to have that attitude. And he has that and he’s a great person to have that and carry himself that way.”

Hear the full discussion in the podcast below. Catch Brock and Salk from 6-10 a.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports.

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