No one was quite certain as to what Mitch Haniger would be able to do in 2021. While he had been a solid part of the Seattle Mariners lineup, Haniger had not played in nearly a year and a half. He missed the latter part of the 2019 campaign due to a ruptured testicle, then was lost for the 2020 season due to numerous surgeries and the pandemic shortened campaign. Haniger was one of the Mariners’ biggest question marks heading into this season.
As it turns out, there was no reason to be concerned about Haniger at all. He is in the midst of a historic season, as only two players – Willie Mays and Ted Williams – have ever hit more homers in a season after missing the previous year.
After missing all of last season, Mitch Haniger of the @Mariners now has 37 home runs this year.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 28, 2021
That's the 3rd-most HR in MLB history by a player who didn't play a game in any professional league the previous year, behind Willie Mays (41 in 1954) and Ted Williams (38 in 1946).
Mitch Haniger having impressive season with Seattle Mariners
In virtually any other season, Haniger would easily be the AL Comeback Player of the Year. However, with Trey Mancini having come back from Stage 3 colon cancer to be a productive player of the Orioles, Haniger is likely to finish a distant second.
This does not change the impact that Haniger has had upon the Mariners’ lineup this season. He has been a key part of their surprising push to the playoffs, producing a solid .252/.317/.482 batting line in his 669 plate appearances, hitting 37 homers and 23 doubles.
While the Mariners have looked to make their roster more dynamic, and have several intriguing top prospects on the way, they need that rock in the middle of their lineup. Haniger has been exactly that, the power threat that the lineup had been missing last season.
If the Mariners are to overcome their 1.5 game deficit and slip into the postseason, Haniger will be a large part of that success. His powerful bat has made a difference this season, and he is not showing any signs of slowing down.
Mitch Haniger is having a historic season with the Seattle Mariners. His powerful bat has made a difference with their playoff hopes.