.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
The Seattle Mariners seem likely to put out a lineup this season that isn't anything like what old-school baseball minds would've done.
But this is 2026, and so Brendan Donovan, Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez all find themselves in new-age spots in the lineup.
To be clear: It all makes a lot of sense. It's just fascinating to consider through the lens of long-time baseball thinking about who goes where in a lineup.
This is how the Fangraphs Roster Resource page projects the Mariners to line up to begin the season (with J.P. Crawford held out of this lineup construction against a right-handed pitcher due to injury):
- Brendan Donovan 3B
- Cal Raleigh C
- Julio Rodriguez CF
- Josh Naylor 1B
- Randy Arozarena LF
- Luke Raley RF
- Dominic Canzone DH
- Leo Rivas SS
- Cole Young 2B
MORE: Cal Raleigh was supposed to play for the Braves
Donovan isn't fast, which used to be a prerequisite for the top of the lineup. He's simply a pure hitter who gets on base. Fangraphs projects him to be 19% better than a league average hitter (by wRC+) in 2026.
Raleigh would've never hit second in the old days, not as a catcher coming off a 60-HR season. He likely would've batted fourth, or potentially third.
Rodriguez would've been a leadoff candidate in this lineup with his power-speed combo, but now he takes up the third spot.
Naylor looks a lot like a classic cleanup hitter with his heft, although he's more of a well-rounded hitter than you'd assume.
The rest of the lineup isn't too unusual, and really, it's a group that can pair with a strong pitching rotation to win a lot of games.
More MLB news:
- The contract reason Pirates are keeping Konnor Griffin in the minor leagues
- Juan Soto might lead MLB in a brand new stat
- Giants snap embarrassing 19-year streak that tied MLB record
- MLB's future of the shortstop position is immensely bright
- Do the Red Sox have a Garrett Crochet problem?
- 4 MLB teams that can unseat the Dodgers
English (US)