The Seattle Mariners have had a lot of success in recent years, and one of the biggest reasons for that is the emergence of star outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Rodriguez has been a key part of the Mariners’ lineup since he was called up in 2021, and he’s been one of the most consistent players on the team. As the Mariners look to continue their success in 2023, let’s take a look back at Rodriguez’s season and examine what worked and what didn’t for the young star.
First, let’s start with what worked for Rodriguez in 2023. He posted a .310 batting average, which was the highest of his career and good for third in the American League. He also had a career-high 25 home runs and 83 RBIs, both of which were good enough to be among the league leaders. He also had an impressive .902 OPS, which was good for fourth in the AL. Rodriguez also had a career-high 13 stolen bases, showing that he can be a threat on the basepaths as well.
Now, let’s take a look at what didn’t work for Rodriguez in 2023. He struck out a career-high 158 times, which was the second-highest total in the AL. He also had a career-low .348 on-base percentage, which was below the league average. He also had a career-low .478 slugging percentage, which was also below the league average. Finally, he had a career-low .826 OPS, which was well below the league average.
Overall, it was a mixed season for Rodriguez in 2023. While he had some impressive numbers, he also struggled in some areas. The Mariners will need him to continue to improve if they want to remain competitive in the AL West. With his talent and potential, there’s no doubt that Rodriguez can become an even better player in the coming years.