Three Reasons the Mariners Offense Might Improve in 2025:
1. Reducing Strikeouts: From 2023 to 2024, Mariners batters recorded an alarming strikeout rate of 26.3%, totaling 3,228 strikeouts, which set a new MLB record for the most strikeouts by a single team over two seasons. Furthermore, through the first 128 games of the 2024 season, they had the poorest batting average (.140) in two-strike counts across the league.
However, following Dan Wilson’s appointment as manager in late August, alongside Edgar Martinez as hitting coach, the Mariners saw some improvement. The team’s strikeout rate decreased to 23.7%, which is closer to the league average of 22.6%. In two-strike counts, they managed a batting average of .162, while AL teams had an average of .170 in the same scenario in 2024.
The refined approach introduced by Wilson, Martinez, and new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer has continued into this spring, with a strong focus on “battling with two strikes.” The Mariners are showing a serious commitment to reducing their strikeouts, and doing so could lead to increased run-scoring opportunities in 2025.
Three Reasons the Mariners Offense Could Dwindle in 2025:
1. Persistent Strikeouts: The tendency for Mariners hitters to strike out is ingrained in their playing style. An MLB talent evaluator forecasted, “They’re still going to strike out a ton.” Of the nine regulars projected in the Seattle lineup, seven are predicted to exceed the league’s average strikeout rate according to FanGraphs. Strikeouts have been a significant contributor to the Mariners’ offensive struggles in the past two seasons, and this trend is expected to continue unless they can prove otherwise.
2. A Reality Check for Bounce-Back Candidates: Victor Robles played a pivotal role for the Mariners in the latter half of last season after securing a starting position at the top of the lineup. In the final month, he was only outperformed by National League MVP Shohei Ohtani, finishing his season with an impressive 203 wRC+ over his last 34 games. In contrast, during his time with the Washington Nationals, he recorded a .667 OPS across 530 games. With an .860 OPS and 3.1 WAR in 77 games for Seattle, questions remain about which version of Robles will emerge this season.
3. Home Park Challenges: The Mariners have faced similar difficulties the past few seasons, especially in the challenging conditions of T-Mobile Park during early games. This environment can frustrate hitters, leading them to press and ultimately perform poorly offensively. Last year, both Garver and Polanco were adversely affected by the park’s attributes. While there were no significant additions to the offense, one potential plus may be the absence of new players adjusting to the challenges of hitting in Seattle. However, this also means there are no excuses left for the current lineup; they’ve had their experiences, and it’s time for them to adapt effectively.
