Cano on a tear entering regular season
I moved the Seattle Mariners up from my originally rankings. Here’s why:
Maybe I’m overreacting, but damn Robinson Cano looks good. Cano’s biggest issue in the first half of 2015 was hitting curveballs. The second baseman batted .127 on resulting deuces, including a mere three extra-base hits in 55 at-bats when making contact. On pitches out of the zone, Cano held a 68 percent contact rate, his lowest mark since 2007.
In order for the M’s to reach the postseason, Cano will need to play as he did in the second half of last season where he performed like one of the league’s greats again – a .335 average with 15 home runs.
There are real concerns with the pitching staff outside of Felix Hernandez. On paper, Hisashi Iwakuma, Wade Miley, Taijuan Walker and Nate Karns looks like a nice rotation, but Seattle starters have disappointed this spring. This group has potential, don’t get me wrong, with the addition of Miley improving the depth top to bottom. However, Seattle had to give up shutdown reliever Carson Smith to get him, which leaves a bullpen filled with question marks.
The Mariners are betting on closer Steve Cishek to return to 2014 form, while 38-year-old Joaquin Benoit is penciled in the setup role. But beyond the back end guys, it’s a group casual fans scratch their heads at. Only one lefty – Mike Montgomery – is projected to be in the bullpen, a player who has appeared in 16 career big league games.
Next: 15-11: Under the radar?