Mariners notebook: Taking a look at the infielders in the outfield

With Nelson Cruz, Franklin Gutierrez and James Paxton out and Mike Zunino heading to instructional league, the Mariners have a lineup that I don’t think anyone could have predicted three weeks ago let alone at the beginning of the year. It includes a reliever on the hill, a catcher who started the year in Double-A and three outfielders who entered the organization as infielders. Without a doubt one of the more interesting lineups we have seen in awhile.

Plenty to be seen as well. Shawn O’Malley is getting another look in center field, and why not? I think everyone has liked what they have seen in his start, and it is just that, a small sample start. But it’s still been impressive as he’s gone 7 for 12 with four runs, a double, a home run and four RBIs. He has been getting on base at a .684 clip (13 of 19 plate appearances) and played an impressive center field, especially when you consider it is not a position where he has much experience. On Tuesday we saw him leave his feet to snare two balls, something outfield coach Andy Van Slyke was excited to see.

“He made two terrific plays,” Van Slyke said during my pregame radio interview. “And again we are talking instinct there. That’s an instinctive play. I could hit fungos for six hours straight and to have a player leave his feet in a game situation and make a play tells you what kind of instincts he has.”

Now what of Brad Miller, you might ask. Weren’t we to see him mainly in center the rest of the way? Well, tough to take a guy who is hitting well and fielding the position out of the lineup. O’Malley has earned these starts and extra looks. Right now he is looking like he could be one of the pieces of the puzzle for next year. As for Miller, any outfield time he gets is good outfield time for evaluation regardless of position. While he said it isn’t fair to make an evaluation with so little time under his belt, Van Slyke credits Miller for the progress he has made and hard work he puts in.

“So far so good,” Van Slyke said. “The wonderful thing about Brad Miller is if he’s not a successful major-league player at the level he wants to be successful it won’t be because of lack of effort. The kid really wants to play the game. He does want to play it right and he is willing to work at his craft, and if his craft is outfield, I know that Brad Miller will do everything he can to be the greatest outfielder he possibly can be.”

We will learn more about the infielders in the outfield as the month continues.

Lineup!

Ketel Marte, SS
Kyle Seager, 3B
Mark Trumbo, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Jesus Montero, DH
Bad Miller, LF
Stefen Romero, RF
Steven Baron, C
Shawn O’Malley, CF

Vidal Nuno, LHP

Notes

• Nelson Cruz once again took batting practice Wednesday and ran agility drills early but is still day-to-day in his return. Franklin Gutierrez took batting practice Wednesday.

• If James Paxton is able to start Sunday, Taijuan Walker most likely will be pushed to Monday.

• Nuno is on the hill Wednesday and is looking for his first win in his last 20 starts. Since July 2, 2014 he has gone 0-11 with a 3.63 ERA over 44 games, including going 0-10 with a 4.17 ERA in 20 starts.

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