3 Mariners MVP candidates, and 1 player who should be benched
By Drew Koch
The Seattle Mariners finally made it back to the postseason in 2022, but in 2023, there may be some MVP buzz in the Emerald City.
The Texas Rangers may be leading the American League West Division at the moment, and the Houston Astros are the defending World Champions, but the Seattle Mariners have a roster that’s built to contend for the postseason.
After more than two decade, the M’s returned to the playoffs. Not since the days of A-Rod or Ichiro has there been this much buzz in Sea-Town. The Mariners are not only a good team, but they’ve got some individual stars as well.
However, not every player has been lighting it up to begin the 2023 season. Which three Seattle Mariners could be legitimate MVP candidates and who needs to be benched?
Mariners MVP candidate: Jarred Kelenic, OF
What a difference a year makes, huh? It seems like last season all the talk surrounding Jarred Kelenic focused on how big of bust he was and why did the Seattle Mariners ever trade for him.
Kelenic is making believers of people now, isn’t he. The New York Mets first-round pick back in 2018 is off to a rip-roaring start in 2023. Kelenic is hitting .362/.423/.723 and has four home runs and eight RBIs.
Kelenic leads the M’s in almost every meaningful hitting category. Kelenic is atop the stat sheet when it comes to home runs, slugging, and OPS and he trails first baseman Ty France by just a few points in on-base percentage.
But let’s step outside the team stats for moment. Jarred Kelenic leads the American League in slugging percentage and is second in OPS, behind only Matt Chapman of the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s also among the Top 10 in doubles and home runs.
Whether or not these numbers are sustainable or not, only time will tell. Strange as it may sound, the numbers reveal that Kelenic is among the best in the AL to begin the season.