Mariners showing some concerning signs on defense

Run prevention has been a major part of the Seattle Mariners’ identity during their franchise-best run of five straight winnings seasons.

Mariners prospect Felnin Celesten on a tear for High-A Everett

Much of that has been because of the organization’s ability to develop pitching and the benefit that comes with playing 81 games a year at pitcher friendly T-Mobile Park. But defense also factors into that equation.

So far this year, it’s been a struggle for the Mariners in the field.

Entering Monday, they were last in baseball with minus-17 outs above average and second to last with a minus-11 in Statcast’s fielding run value metric.

Injuries have also been an issue for the M’s early this season, but insider Shannon Drayer feels the defensive struggles are more troubling to see.

“They have three players that are in the bottom 15 on the outs above average right now, and this is a team that needs that defense for the pitching,” Drayer told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Monday. “So, I would be a little more concerned about this than the injuries at the this point, and this is more controllable, I feel, than the injuries are.”

The three Mariners in the bottom 15 league-wide in outs above average are shortstop J.P. Crawford (minus-4), right fielder Luke Raley (minus-4) and third baseman Brendan Donovan (minus-4).

Even star center fielder Julio Rodríguez hasn’t looked like his Gold Glove-caliber self patrolling the outfield, posting minus-three outs above average thus far. That’s tied for the worst mark among center fielders with at least 50 innings in the field.

“Some of them are tough plays that he hasn’t made that we’re used to him seeing, others you’re looking at routes, you’re looking at (that) it looks like he is misjudging things at times out there, which is very out of character,” Drayer said.

Drayer believes some of the team’s defensive struggles can be traced to it falling short of its sky-high expectations early this year.

“They put in the work. We see that every day, particularly with the infielders. They have a very regimented routine that they do every day, and (infield coach) Perry Hill works with them all very close,” Drayer said. “But I do think that at times there can be a mental aspect to the defense, and I think that some of the results and what we’re seeing, it’s chicken and egg. You play better defense, you win more games, you feel better about it and maybe you’re a little bit more on your game right now. But I do think that a lot of the struggles that we saw early have contributed. They’ve taken it out to the field.”

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player in this story. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

Seattle Mariners coverage

• What Mariners’ Emerson Hancock says has been key to his breakout
• Mariners add LHP from their next opponent on waiver claim
• Cal Raleigh missing time with soreness in side
• Mariners prospect Montes showcases power with three-HR game
• Seattle Mariners to honor Randy Johnson with statue in 2027

Related

As MLB enters final week, AL West lead belongs to a .500 Texas Rangers teamMariners update status of Andrés Muñoz after closer exits with injuryKade Anderson goes 7 scoreless in 2-1 Mariners win over RockiesMariners move closer to elimination with 5-3 loss to RockiesSeattle Sports Radio Info: How to find Sunday’s Seahawks, Mariners gamesMariners’ lineup vs Rockies features a first