Mariners Notebook: Randy Arozarena named Hank Aaron Award finalist

Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena’s career year at the plate has been recognized with his name being among the ten finalists announced Monday morning for the Hank Aaron Award, which has been given to the best overall offensive performer in each league since 1999. This is Arozarena’s first time being nominated for the award.

Cal Raleigh, Josh Naylor undergo offseason surgery

Arozarena, who earned his third All-Star selection in 2026, led the Mariners in hitting posting a .281/.381/.484 slash line. His 151 wRC+ was tied for second best in the American League with Boston’s Willson Contreras, trailing only Houston’s Yordan Alvarez (181), and he finished third in fWAR (5.5) behind Alvarez (6.8) and Bobby Witt Jr (7.0).

Arozarena, who finished the year with full-season career highs in batting average, slugging percentage and wRC+ while posting a career-low strikeout percentage (21.6% down from 26.9% the previous year), gave much credit to his hitting coaches the final week of the season.

“Listening to advice from the veterans and coaches like Edgar (Martínez), Kevin (Seitzer), and (Bobby) Magallanes when he was here, I think I focused more on listening to them rather than trying to do things by my own strength. I felt really good with them, and I tried to execute the plan they gave me—to stay focused toward the center of the field so I could cover the entire field.”

The award will be presented Nov. 11 in Las Vegas during a special presentation at the MLB Awards, which will be aired on the MLB Network.

Rick Rizzs gets his road

“Rick Rizzs Road” will be unveiled Tuesday in a ceremony at Dodd Field in Issaquah, home of Issaquah Little League, at 4:30 pm.

The road to Issaquah Little League baseball, formerly known as School District Road, will be changed to Rick Rizzs Road at its intersection with NW Holly Street.

And when in Issaquah… pic.twitter.com/QzfpePbZGP

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) September 27, 2026

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