Mariners predicted to have 2 top-5 players in MLB in 2026

The Seattle Mariners clearly have a talented major league roster.

It just might even be better than most MLB fans realize.

MLB.com broke down player projections for the 2026 season, and writer David Adler points out that the Mariners may not have just one of the five best players in baseball. They might have two.

Cal Raleigh comes in with the third-highest projected Wins Above Replacement for position players, at 5.9. He's projected for 38 home runs, which could wind up on the low side.

"Raleigh's historic 60-homer season as a catcher in 2025 translates to a top-five hitter projection in 2026 -- Steamer projects the Mariners star for the third-highest position player WAR behind only Judge and Bobby Witt Jr., and for the fourth-most home runs behind Ohtani, Judge and Kyle Schwarber," Adler writes.

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But then there's Julio Rodriguez, projected for 5.3 WAR, fifth among position players, including projections for 30 homers and 23 steals.

"While Raleigh provides elite slugging at one premium position in catcher, his teammate Rodríguez provides electric all-around play at another premium position in center field," Adler writes. "J-Rod is projected for the fifth-highest WAR among position players thanks to his power, speed and defense in center, making Seattle the only team with two projected top-five players."

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Rodriguez is a player that has been known to frustrate Seattle fans at times, but the reality is that he's still likely on an upward trend line given his age, and he's already had an incredible start to his career.

If Julio is indeed one of the best players in baseball in 2026, the Mariners could be looking at a very special season.

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