Meet the 2015 M's

The Mariners are a popular pick to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001, thanks to a strengthened offense and strong pitching. Can this team improve on last year's 87-win season? Here's the projected opening-day lineup. See more Mariners coverage.

Commentary by Scott Hanson • Graphics by Rich Boudet • Development by Audrey Carlsen

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16
Austin Jackson, CF

  • Age: 28
  • Height: 6-1
  • Weight: 203
  • Bats: Right

Best Case

He gives the team a legitimate leadoff hitter, with an on-base percentage around .350, more than 100 runs scored and about 20 stolen bases.

Worst Case

He hits like he did after the trade to Seattle in midseason. In 223 at-bats with the M’s, he had an on-base percentage of .267 and six extra-base hits.

What's Likely

His defense will be fine, but he will strike out too much and have an on-base percentage of about .320.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2014 .256 71 153 4 47 20 .308 .347
Career .274 466 794 46 248 89 .336 .402
Photo by Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times
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7
Seth Smith, RF

  • Age: 32
  • Height: 6-3
  • Weight: 210
  • Bats: Left

Best Case

As the left-handed bat in a platoon with Justin Ruggiano, Smith will have an OPS similar to the .792 that he has had against right-handers the past three seasons.

Worst Case

He struggles to hit .250, which would not be unusual as his combined average for 2012-13 was .246.

What's Likely

He is serviceable, but that’s it, hitting about .250 with 12 HRs. But Ruggiano will be a pleasant surprise.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2014 .266 55 118 12 48 1 .367 .440
Career .265 359 657 85 321 20 .347 .453
Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images
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22
Robinson Cano, 2B

  • Age: 32
  • Height: 6-0
  • Weight: 210
  • Bats: Left

Best Case

He stays healthy, hits for an excellent average and his power numbers improve with teams being less likely to pitch around him.

Worst Case

After eight seasons in which he has played in at least 157 games, he finally has to miss significant time.

What's Likely

Another really good season. He hits about .315 with 20 home runs and about 95 runs batted in, all while playing great defense.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2014 .314 77 187 14 82 10 .382 .454
Career .310 876 1836 218 904 48 .358 .499
Photo by Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times
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23
Nelson Cruz, DH

  • Age: 34
  • Height: 6-2
  • Weight: 230
  • Bats: Right

Best Case

He has no trouble transitioning from hitter-friendly Camden Yards to pitcher-friendly Safeco Field and has more than 30 home runs and 100 RBI.

Worst Case

His numbers take a drastic drop. Before last season, he had more than 28 homers in a season just once and had never driven in more than 90 runs.

What's Likely

About 25 home runs with 80 to 85 RBI. It’s less than fans expect but a big improvement in the cleanup spot.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2014 .271 87 166 40 108 4 .333 .525
Career .268 491 940 197 597 69 .328 .501
Photo by Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times
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15
Kyle Seager, 3B

  • Age: 27
  • Height: 6-0
  • Weight: 210
  • Bats: Left

Best Case

He continues to show steady improvement and finally avoids long slumps. He hits about .290 with 25 home runs and 90 runs batted in, all while playing excellent defense at third base.

Worst Case

He has a miserable start (he was hitting .156 through three weeks last season) and is not able to recover.

What's Likely

Another solid season with good power numbers, but a couple of slumps keep his average around .265.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2014 .268 71 158 25 96 7 .334 .454
Career .262 234 519 70 264 32 .328 .429
Photo by Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times
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20
Logan Morrison, 1B

  • Age: 27
  • Height: 6-2
  • Weight: 240
  • Bats: Left

Best Case

He stays healthy and resembles the hitter he was in September last season when he hit .342 with five HRs.

Worst Case

He has injury problems again. When healthy, he struggles to hit for average and without the power you would hope for from a first baseman.

What's Likely

A season similar to last year when he hit .262 with 11 HRs and 38 RBI in in 336 at-bats. That’s OK for a middle infielder, but not a first baseman.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2014 .262 41 88 11 38 5 .315 .420
Career .251 200 410 53 200 8 .333 .426
Photo by Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times
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13
Dustin Ackley, LF

  • Age: 27
  • Height: 6-1
  • Weight: 205
  • Bats: Left

Best Case

He avoids the prolonged slumps that have plagued him, hits about .285 with 15 homers and 70 RBI, and his defense continues to improve.

Worst Case

He gets off to a poor start, and his confidence, which always seems fragile, is shattered.

What's Likely

After hitting well in spring training, his offensive numbers improve. He hits about .270 with 15 HRs in a platoon with Rickie Weeks.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2014 .245 64 123 14 65 8 .293 .692
Career .245 227 448 35 182 29 .309 .676
Photo by Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times
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3
Mike Zunino, C

  • Age: 24
  • Height: 6-2
  • Weight: 220
  • Bats: Right

Best Case

His average rises to about .240 and he continues to hit for power with about 25 home runs. His defense and his handling of the pitching staff remain among the best in the American League.

Worst Case

His average continues to hover around .200, and the struggles at the plate begin to affect his defense.

What's Likely

The future star will improve his batting average to about .230, and he will hit more than 20 home runs.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2014 .199 51 87 22 60 0 .254 .404
Career .203 73 124 37 74 1 .265 .383
Photo by Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times
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5
Brad Miller, SS

  • Age: 25
  • Height: 6-2
  • Weight: 200
  • Bats: Left

Best Case

He has a good start and solidifies himself as the team’s starting shortstop, hitting about .270 with 15 HRs.

Worst Case

He has another poor start and looks lost at the plate, as he did for a good chunk of last season. The Mariners demote him and bring up Chris Taylor.

What's Likely

He will do enough to keep his job, hitting about .250 with 12 home runs and playing average defense.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2014 .221 47 81 10 36 4 .288 .365
Career .241 88 162 18 72 9 .302 .389
Photo by Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times
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34
Felix Hernandez, P

  • Age: 28
  • Height: 6-3
  • Weight: 225
  • Throws: Right

Best Case

He stays healthy and puts up a season similar to last year, which again would make him the best pitcher in the American League. And this time there is no surprise at awards time as he wins the Cy Young.

Worst Case

He gets injured, and the years of heavy workload begin to take their toll. His win total drops, and his ERA and WHIP move up.

What's Likely

Last year was the best of his career, and it seems unlikely he could be that good again. But look for 15 to 18 wins and an ERA under 3.00.

W-L ERA GS IP CG BB Ks
2014 15-6 2.14 34 236 0 46 249
Career 125-92 3.07 303 2060.2 23 572 1951
Photo by Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times
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