Uncustomed Heroes of 2020: Mariners

I can't believe it. The Mariners were almost good this season.

If the Astros hadn't have won a few more games, the Mariners could have squeezed into their playoff spot. The Twins could have advanced in the playoffs, the entire scope of the playoffs could have been shifted, and maybe...MAYBE...THE YANKEES WOULD HAVE WON IT ALL in that timeline. 

Evan White is an oddity. He came in as a big, touted rookie, he had some amazing defensive numbers and a gold glove, but...he got NOTHING at the plate. Like, he had 28 RBIs, but he still couldn't get his average over .200. So unless he figures out how to hit, I'm not exactly sure what's gonna become to him.

2021 Prediction: At least some offensive production, I hope. He keeps the starting gig, though.

However, keeping the starting gig will be an obstacle for former international phenom Yusei Kikuchi. It's an understatement to say he hasn't exactly been up to expectations so far. Kikuchi had a 5.17 ERA with a 2-4 record and 49 strikeouts in 9 starts. Definitely not a high mark, especially compared to a lot of this rotation.

2021 Prediction: Will start the season in the rotation, but won't end it there.

Justus Sheffield is a much safer rotation bet, I think. After a solid debut last year, Sheffield had a 3.58 ERA, 48 strikeouts and 4-3 record in 10 starts. Of all the starters not named Gonzales, he had the highest WAR. Proof that there does exist hope that Marco Gonzales won't be the only competent starter on this team.

2021 Prediction: Of the three-man batch of young pitchers, Sheffield's gonna be the one who has the most okay 2021.

I do think good things are coming for Justin Dunn, though. Of Sheffield, Margevicius and Dunn, he seems to be the least starry of the three, but he packs a mean punch. Dude had a 4-1 record in 10 starts, despite a 4 ERA. Definitely capable of good things amidst a better Mariners team.

2021 Prediction: Major breakout year coming, complete with an ASG push.

The chief relief option post-purge was Yoshihisa Hirano, the former Diamondbacks reliever who's always been solid but never especially standout-ish. This year he was one of the closing options after Taylor Williams left, and got 4 saves out of it, despite an ERA over 5.

2021 Prediction: Will be one of the ninth inning options for the Ms next year, though may hand the job off to someone else.

One of the many trade returns the Ms landed this year was Ty France, an infield prospect from San Diego who was supposed to start at third in 2019...that is, before Manny Machado was signed and revamped the infield. France took playing time where he could in SD before coming over in the Austin Nola trade, starting a ton of games at 2nd, and taking off. In 23 games, France hit .302 with 26 hits and 13 RBIs. Definitely a strong statement for the former benchwarmer.

2021 Prediction: With a full year, France will impress people right off the bat, be a fantastic battery partner to J.P. Crawford, and lead this team to actual playoff berth.

 After the Brian Goodwin trade left him obsolete, Phil Ervin was sent to the Mariners, and there began to get some much-needed playing time. In 18 games, Ervin hit .205 with 4 RBIs and 8 hits, certainly not bad, but more than he had an opportunity to say in Cincinnati. 

2021 Prediction: Holds onto a starting gig and is rewarded for it.

Coming Tomorrow- Excerpts from a Marlins team that outweighed the odds and made the playoffs.