Now that the postseason is underway, it is so tough knowing that the Mariners had missed the playoffs again which makes them have the longest playoff drought in all of professional sports! The Seattle Mariners ended the season 68-94 which was a huge setback from the previous season where they were just short of making the playoffs. It just seems like the team has been in rebuilding mode so many times during this 18-year playoff drought. However, the young core for this team looks promising in some key players who are already making an impact in the majors.
Kyle Lewis, Justus Sheffield, Shed Long, and JP Crawford were great additions this season as they are the people that will help with the future development of the Seattle Mariners. Kyle Lewis made a huge appearance to the big show as the man hit six home runs in his first ten games in the MLB, according to an article from cbssports.com. He became just the fourth player to begin his career like that. Everyone knew that the 2016 first overall pick would eventually make an impact on the roster, but injuries have been obstacles for him during his days that go back to when he was on the Everett AquaSox.
The pitchers struggled this year after such a hot start to the regular season in early May. Justus Sheffield will hopefully be in the rotation next year as well as top prospect Justin Dunn. Both Justin's made a long-awaited appearance at the end of the season when our season was already over with. Justin Dunn had a tremendous performance during the final homestand of the 2019 season as his slider looked sharp and he didn't look intimidated at all. Nonetheless against a playoff-caliber team in the Oakland Athletics where he had three strikeouts in just two innings of work!
It should be exciting for Mariners fans to see them play now that the top prospects and strong farm players are starting to get their feet wet into the MLB. Jerry Dipoto had made a lot of moves last offseason in order to create a strong foundation through the farm system and it won't be long until they become everyday players. I know it's so hard to be true to the blue as a fan but Dipoto is steering this team in the right direction and hopefully, the team can replicate what the Houston Astros did when establishing a dynasty.
