the envelope, please!!

:::drumroll:::

STARTING ROTATION
FELIXhernandez
HISASHIiwakuma
JOEsaunders
BRANDONmaurer
BLAKEbeavan

CATCHERS
JESUSmontero
KELLYshoppach

INFIELDERS /DH
DUSTINackley
ROBERTandino
BRENDANryan
JUSTINsmoak
KYLEseager
KENDRYSmorales

OUTFIELDERS / DH
FRANKLINgutierrez
MICHAELsaunders
MICHAELmorse
JASONbay
RAULibanez

BULLPEN
CARTERcapps
CHARLIEfurbush
KAMERONloe
LUCASluetge
OLIVERperez
STEPHENpryor
TOMwilhelmsen

____________________________________________________________

So….

Are the awesome offensive spring stats sustainable? Of course not.
SSS being one reason, the light, desert air being another.

But, seeing batters, from rookies to vets working together, trying things and getting results at the very least breeds confidence. And, while that may not be half the battle of sustained success, it IS a vital element.

And, from what I’ve heard, this team is really gelling . . .
throughout Spring Training the young were learning from the old and even vice-versa. Relationships have been forming, roles are being established (beyond batting order, rotation spots and bullpen/bench slots) and responsibilities (on and off the field) are being taken.

Yes, it’s been a good spring for our guys . . .
with success and failure and lots of learning from both – as it should be. Will it all translate to wild success in the regular season? Maybe not, but it’s a good start and certainly makes everyone, players and fans alike a little more excited for the possibilities.

____________________________________________________________

FWIW ~

Smoak and Guti have faced the best “opponent quality” this spring . . .
Baseball Ref new ST stats

____________________________________________________________

Really cool story as Spring Training draws to a close . . .

Longest tenured Mariner employee retires

And it’s those people that kept Genzale coming to work for 37 years. He was the guy doing the laundry, making sure players were fed, getting uniforms in lockers and keeping things in order for everyone else. But with that came relationships with baseball personalities big and small.

“It’s all about them,” Genzale said earlier this spring. “They make the whole baseball world go. Managers, coaches, trainers, front office, players, it’s all about the people you’re associated with and knowing you’re a part of it. That’s been the best part of the game of baseball.

“I’m a people person, so I fit into that mode, with all these different personalities and ethnic groups and everything that goes with it. If you’re versatile enough to get along with people, you’ll enjoy what you do. And that’s what spurred me to stay in the game as many years as I have, because I enjoy talking to people and being your friend as best I can.”

____________________________________________________________

PLAY BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!