MLB Network’s Morosi on Mariners: 1 good sign, 1 bad sign

The Seattle Mariners are hoping to put an end to their slow start by building off of their dramatic first series win, which came after the M’s roared back from a five-run deficit against the Houston Astros on Wednesday thanks to an eighth-inning grand slam by Randy Arozarena, a two-run double in the ninth by Julio Rodríguez, and lastly a walk-off walk by Arozarena.

‘He’s so electric’: Arozarena brings spark to Mariners

Even with that series victory over Houston, the Mariners enter play Friday with a 5-8 record, which ties them with the Athletics for last in the AL West.

There’s certainly a fair share of negative things standing out after Seattle’s first 13 games, but there are also some encouraging signs. Wyman and Bob’s weekly conversation on Seattle Sports with MLB Network insider Jon Morosi was reflective of that Thursday.

Let’s take a look at one good sign and one bad sign for the Mariners that Morosi discussed with hosts Dave Wyman and Bob Stelton.

One good sign: Julio’s hitting

Julio Rodríguez is meant to be the superstar on the Mariners’ roster, but it hasn’t always seemed that way in the early going of previous seasons. Coming into 2025, he’d never hit better than a .256 average in the months of March and April, and his best OPS in those months was .743 in 2023. For comparison, his career average is .275 and career OPS is .800.

Rodríguez has yet to take off in terms of hits (9 for 49, .184 average) so far this season, but he’s been more patient than usual (eight walks, .322 on-base) and is doing damage when he connects. He has five hits that have gone for extra bases, and when he hit his third home run of the year on April 6 – his 10th game of the season – it was the fastest he’d ever reached three homers in a campaign.

How Julio impressed in the clutch in stunning M’s comeback

Considering how Rodríguez struggled out of the gate in his first three seasons, what he’s doing now has piqued Morosi’s interest.

“Julio traditionally has been a slow starter,” Morosi said. “We have had numerous conversations the last couple of years on this program about, what’s going on with Julio? Why is it a slow start? The one thing I’ll say is while the average isn’t there, he is hitting for power more now than he did early last season. He’s at least hitting the ball and driving it in a way that you would expect him to drive the baseball. That’s a really good sign.

“It’s not just my reflexive optimism here. I really believe that if Julio’s making some loud contact early, eventually the average will pick up. And I’m encouraged by seeing the power from him.”

One bad sign: Starting pitching numbers

The Mariners are obviously built around their pitching, and the starting rotation has proven why with tremendous performances in recent seasons. But the depth beyond the starting five isn’t strong, and that’s been on display with George Kirby out of action with shoulder inflammation.

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With Emerson Hancock lasting just two outs in his lone start filling in for Kirby, and Luis F. Castillo then making a pair of starts after taking Hancock’s place, Seattle’s rotation as a whole has a 4.55 ERA and .242 opponent batting average, both of which rank 20th in MLB. The rotation also has a 1.32 WHIP, which is 18th in baseball.

In 2024, Mariners starters had a combined 3.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and .222 opponent average, all of which led MLB.

The low numbers aren’t completely on that fifth spot in the rotation, though. While Logan Gilbert (2.55 ERA) and Luis Castillo (2.12) have been good in three starts apiece, and Bryan Woo (3.75) has one quality start in his two games, Bryce Miller (5.73) has fallen short of a quality start both times he’s taken the mound.

So with the Mariners again ranking near the bottom of the league in many offensive categories, you can see why their record is below .500 right now.

“They have been a dangerous team for years now because their pitching is so good,” Morosi said. “They’ve had a fairly average start on the mound. They’ve given up right around an above-average number of runs to this point, which certainly encapsulates pitching and defense altogether, and that’s tough.

“Even in our optimistic projections for this team, we had said that what you need is for the pitching to be about as good, and for Julio to have more of a Julio year, and then for Arozarena and (Victor) Robles to be productive over a full season. Well, the Robles part already isn’t going to happen because he’ll be out (with an injury) long term, and the pitching hasn’t quite been as sharp as it’s been in the past. And part of that certainly might be health-related with the Kirby situation.”

As for Kirby’s status, he threw a bullpen session last weekend and was set to throw two more, which would lead into a “spring training-type progression,” according to Mariners general manager Justin Hollander.

Hear the full Wyman and Bob conversation with MLB Network insider Jon Morosi in the video or audio player near the top of this post, or in the podcast at this link. Catch Morosi weekly on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, which airs from 2-7 p.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports.

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