Meet the 2021 Mariners starting lineup

The 2021 MLB season is finally here. With a roster full of young talent (and more on the way), the Mariners will look to end their 19-year playoff drought. Here's a look at who you might see take the field on opening day.

By Scott Hanson | Card illustrations by Rich Boudet

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17
Mitch Haniger, RF

  • Age: 30
  • Height: 6-2
  • Weight: 199
  • Bats: Right

What the Mariners need

For a return of the player he was in 2018, when he looked like someone the team could build around. He was struggling in 2019 before a ruptured testicle ended his season in June. Two more surgeries kept him out all of last season.

Did you know?

Set the Archbishop Mitty High School (San Jose, Calif.) career receiving record in football with 85 catches for 888 yards and seven TDs.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2019 .220 46 54 15 32 4 .314 .463
Career .267 203 353 62 189 17 .348 .480

Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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25
Dylan Moore, 2B

  • Age: 28
  • Height: 6-0
  • Weight: 185
  • Bats: Right

What the Mariners need

Anything close to his offensive performance last season, when he had eight homers and an OPS of .855 in 137 at-bats in his role as a utility player. He is now the everyday second baseman, and if last year was not an aberration, he won’t be relinquishing that role anytime soon.

Did you know?

Has played every position in the field except catcher for the Mariners.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2020 .255 26 35 8 17 12 .358 .496
Career .224 57 86 17 45 23 .323 .427

Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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15
Kyle Seager, 3B

  • Age: 33
  • Height: 6-0
  • Weight: 216
  • Bats: Left

What the Mariners need

A potent bat in the middle of the lineup – something in the range of 30 homers, 90 runs batted in and a batting average around .250. The Mariners will also count on him to be a leader as one of the most experienced players on the team and provide his usual very good defense.

Did you know?

He ranks fourth in team history in home runs (207).

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2020 .241 35 49 9 40 5 .355 .433
Career .256 632 1267 207 706 52 .326 .443

Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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1
Kyle Lewis, CF

  • Age: 25
  • Height: 6-4
  • Weight: 205
  • Bats: Right

What the Mariners need

Continued progression from last season, when he was named American League Rookie of the Year. Lewis got off to a terrific start last year, but struggled mightily in September, hitting .147. Was that an anomaly or did pitchers begin to figure him out?

Did you know?

While at Mercer University, he listed his favorite athlete as Adam Jones, a former Mariners center fielder.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2020 .262 37 54 11 28 5 .364 .437
Career .264 47 73 17 41 5 .347 .477

Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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23
Ty France, DH

  • Age: 26
  • Height: 5-11
  • Weight: 217
  • Bats: Right

What the Mariners need

To continue the hot hitting he displayed during spring training. That might be realistic, considering he hit .305 in 141 at-bats with San Diego and with the Mariners, who acquired him in late August in a six-player trade. He played first, second and third base last season so M’s can move him around.

Did you know?

Hit .399 with 27 home runs in 296 at-bats with Class AAA El Paso in 2019.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2020 .305 19 43 4 23 0 .362 .453
Career .265 39 86 11 47 0 .326 .431

Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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2
Tom Murphy, C

  • Age: 29
  • Height: 6-1
  • Weight: 218
  • Bats: Right

What the Mariners need

For him to hit close to how he did in 2019, with his 18 home runs coming in just 260 at-bats. That might be asking a lot, considering he missed all of last season with a broken foot and had by far his most productive season of his career in 2019.

Did you know?

Began his professional career playing for the Tri-City Dust Devils in 2012 after being drafted in the third round by Colorado.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2019 .273 32 71 18 40 2 .324 .535
Career .250 51 114 28 74 3 .301 .493

Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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3
J.P. Crawford, SS

  • Age: 26
  • Height: 6-2
  • Weight: 199
  • Bats: Left

What the Mariners need

Continued great defense after Crawford won a Gold Glove and a little bit more production offensively. His OPS has gone down the past two seasons, which is not a good trend. It would certainly help if he cut down on his strikeouts and took a few more walks.

Did you know?

Father Larry was a defensive back in the Canadian Football League. Older sister Eliza played softball for Cal State Fullerton.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2020 .255 33 52 2 24 6 .336 .338
Career .231 101 170 12 88 14 .325 .359

Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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12
Evan White, 1B

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

What the Mariners need

A vast turnaround offensively while continuing to play the great defense that won White a Gold Glove last season. No matter how good the defense is, the Mariners need much more out of their first baseman than a .176 batting average and a .599 OPS. The strikeout rate was particularly alarming, with 84 in 182 at-bats.

Did you know?

Both of his parents played college basketball.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2020 .176 19 32 8 26 1 .252 .346
Career .176 19 32 8 26 1 .252 .346

Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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20
Taylor Trammell, LF

  • Age: 23
  • Height: 6-2
  • Weight: 213
  • Bats: Left

What the Mariners need

For the rookie to play well enough in April that Seattle does not feel the need to rush Jarred Kelenic into the lineup. Trammell had 110 stolen bases in his four seasons in the minor leagues, and his speed could be a big boost for the Mariners if he can get on base.

Did you know?

Committed to play college baseball at Georgia Tech but signed with Cincinnati after being drafted No. 35 overall in 2016.

Avg R H HR RBI SB OBP SLG
2020 * .234 61 102 10 43 20 .340 .349
Career .270 251 419 33 195 110 .363 406
* Minor-league stats
Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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7
Marco Gonzales, SP

  • Age: 29
  • Height: 6-1
  • Weight: 197
  • Throws: Throws Left

What the Mariners need

For him to pitch like the No. 1 starter he has become, and continue to be durable. Gonzales has improved in each of his four seasons with the Mariners. The 0.94 WHIP last season was by far the best of his career. Had 64 strikeouts and seven walks, giving him a league-best 9.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Did you know?

He led Rocky Mountain High in Fort Collins, Colorado, to four straight 5A state titles as a pitcher, first baseman and outfielder.

W-L ERA GS IP CG BB K
2020 7-2 3.10 11 69.2 1 7 64
Career 41-27 4.09 88 516.2 2 128 420

Photo by Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
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