\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"### **Launch it like Lewis**\n\nLewis has shown a capacity for elite exit velocity, with five of his home runs coming off the bat at 105 mph or harder, including the 110.9 mph shot off Verlander on Opening Day. His career hard-hit rate of 41.7 percent is solidly above average (around 37 percent), and FanGraphs reported that it was 53 percent in the Minors last season.\n\nWhat stands out even more is how Lewis generates lift. Six seasons into Statcast’s tracking of launch angle, it’s no secret that driving the ball in the air is how a hitter does damage. But a metric called sweet-spot rate allows us to be more precise. Balls on the ground are rarely extra-base hits, but balls hit too high in the air are usually outs. The sweet spot is the happy medium between 8-32 degrees of launch angle that in 2019 produced a 1.175 slugging percentage and 78 percent of MLB’s extra-base hits.\n\nEntering Thursday, Lewis had hit 45.6 percent of his career batted balls within that sweet spot, the 12th-highest rate out of 220 qualifiers since last Sept. 1. Again, we’re talking about a grand total of 57 batted balls here. But these underlying numbers tell us far more than the raw results.\n\nThe list of 11 hitters in front of Lewis on that list includes Ronald Acuña Jr., Yoán Moncada, Kris Bryant, Mookie Betts, Nick Castellanos and 2019 American League home run champ Jorge Soler. The MLB leader with a 43.8 percent sweet-spot rate in ‘19 was none other than Mike Trout.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2020-07-25T22:25:05.19Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-07/25/9959e980-45dc29b6-51e81d4d-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Kyle Lewis launches a solo home run over the right-field fence to trim the Mariners' deficit to 6-2 in the top of the 6th","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:40","slug":"kyle-lewis-solo-home-run","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2020","title":"Season 2020","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-641786","title":"Kyle Lewis","person":{"__ref":"Person:641786"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-136","title":"Seattle Mariners","team":{"__ref":"Team:136"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"opening-week","title":"Opening Week","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"mlb-top-prospects","title":"MLB Top Prospects","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed","title":"2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-in-game","title":"Yahoo In-Game","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"1-yahoo-fantasy-feed","title":"1-Yahoo Fantasy Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-fantasy","title":"Yahoo Fantasy","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/n5xvrw1qtcy7ddsfiiyt"},"title":"Kyle Lewis' solo home run","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/kyle-lewis-solo-home-run"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Hitting the ball in the sweet spot, in and of itself, does not guarantee power. You still have to hit the ball hard -- which Lewis can. Just look at the players with the most barrels \\-\\- batted balls with an optimal combination of exit velocity and launch angle -- since Lewis made his MLB debut last Sept. 10. He’s in good company.\n\n**Most barrels hit since Sept. 10, 2019** \n1) Jorge Soler (KC): 14 \n**2-T) Kyle Lewis (SEA): 12** \n2-T) Eloy Jiménez (CHW): 12 \n2-T) Kyle Schwarber (CHC): 12 \n2-T) Corey Seager (LAD): 12 \n6-T) Bryce Harper (PHI): 11 \n6-T) Nick Castellanos (CIN): 11 \n6-T) Nelson Cruz (MIN): 11\n\nWhen you hit the ball like this, good things tend to follow. Among the aforementioned group of hitters since last Sept. 1, through Wednesday, here is where Lewis ranked in terms of productivity _on balls put in play_. Expected batting average (xBA) and expected slugging percentage (xSLG) are based on the quality of contact, rather than the actual results.\n\n**BA:** .536 (2nd, behind Moncada) \n**xBA:** .479 (T-1st with Soler) \n**SLG:** 1.054 (1st) \n**xSLG:** 1.008 (3rd, behind Acuña, Soler)","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2020-07-05T23:10:00.883Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-07/05/699572cc-e82488b3-176bfd24-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Kyle Lewis talks about the improvements he made in the offseason and Scott Servais discusses Lewis' potential","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:02:39","slug":"lewis-servais-on-mariners-goals","tags":[{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-136","title":"Seattle Mariners","team":{"__ref":"Team:136"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-641786","title":"Kyle Lewis","person":{"__ref":"Person:641786"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"interview","title":"interview","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"spring-training","title":"Spring Training","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/eddyffld2vpq7v3s7eul"},"title":"Lewis, Servais on Mariners' goals","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/lewis-servais-on-mariners-goals"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"### **Feel the breeze**\n\nThere is a “but” here.\n\nNotice that in the stat above, we highlighted the words, “on balls put in play.” That’s because getting bat on ball has been a bit of a challenge for Lewis. The 6-foot-4 slugger slugger struck out 29.4 percent of the time in Double-A last year, and that has risen to 38.3 percent so far in the Majors, including 37.5 percent in 2020.\n\nMLB average is 23 percent, and in 2019, only two qualified hitters were at 30 percent or above: then-Mariner Domingo Santana and the Rangers’ Rougned Odor. Neither was especially effective overall.\n\nIt’s possible to overcome that sort of sky-high K-rate, but it is difficult. Margin for error is small. Of the 27 individual player seasons with at least a 34 percent K-rate (minimum 400 plate appearances), just 11 have come with a wRC+ that was at least league average (100). And those are the ones who managed to stay in the lineup.\n\n**Best offensive seasons with a 34% K-rate or higher** \n_Min. 400 PA_ \n1) Miguel Sanó (2019 MIN): 137 wRC+, 36.2% K-rate \n2) Mike Zunino (2017 SEA): 126 wRC+, 36.8% K-rate \n3) Miguel Sanó (2017 MIN): 125 wRC+, 35.8% K-rate \n4) Joey Gallo (2017 TEX): 119 wRC+, 36.8% K-rate \n5) Adam Dunn (2012 CWS): 115 wRC+, 34.2% K-rate","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2019-09-25T04:17:28.126Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-09/24/8df763ed-0606a24d-5c5b855e-CSVM-DIAMONDTMP-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Gerrit Cole strikes out Kyle Lewis looking for his 314th strikeout of the year, the most in a single season by an Astros pitcher","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:34","slug":"cole-s-314th-strikeout","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2019","title":"Season 2019","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-117","title":"Houston Astros","team":{"__ref":"Team:117"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-543037","title":"Gerrit Cole","person":{"__ref":"Person:543037"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"milestone","title":"milestone","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-in-game","title":"Yahoo In-Game","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed","title":"2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-fantasy","title":"Yahoo Fantasy","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"1-yahoo-fantasy-feed","title":"1-Yahoo Fantasy Feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/imxiwr7rhltwhdcyaz6i"},"title":"Cole's 314th strikeout","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/cole-s-314th-strikeout"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"That prompts two questions. Can Lewis cut down those strikeouts? Or, barring that, can he be the rare breed of hitter whose quality of contact is elite enough to be worth all the whiffs?\n\nOn the downside, Lewis swings and misses a ton. He’s come up empty on about 40 percent of his swings, one of the highest rates in MLB since his debut, though not out of line with the likes of elite sluggers such as Sanó and Aaron Judge.\n\nWhat’s interesting about Lewis’ approach in the very early going in 2020 is that he has been far more selective. Here were his swing rates by location, through Thursday:\n\n**2019:** 47.9 percent overall, 33.7 percent out of zone, 67.9 percent down the middle \n**2020:** 39.3 percent overall, 27.8 percent out of zone, 75.0 percent down the middle \n\nLewis told FanGraphs’ David Laurila back in March that he felt he had “grown” in terms of determining when to swing.\n\n“I feel I’m better able to make good decisions on pitches in the damage zone,” Lewis said.\n\nThrough seven games this season, Lewis has drawn as many walks (three) as he did in 18 games in 2019. The continuation of that trend could do a lot to keep Lewis productive at the plate.\n\nThe 11th overall pick in the 2016 Draft out of Mercer (Ga.) University, Lewis missed significant time due to injury early in his Minor League career. Even now, he has only a bit more than 1,300 professional plate appearances, so it would hardly be a shock if he continues to refine his approach as he gains experience\n\nTime will tell. For now, Lewis has put MLB on notice that he is a hitter to watch.","type":"text"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/mariners-kyle-lewis-a-hitter-to-watch-in-2020","contentType":"news","subHeadline":"Kyle Lewis crushing the ball early in his Mariners career","summary":"Kyle Lewis knows how to make an entrance.\nThe Mariners’ No. 10 prospect showed that last September, when he homered in each of his first three Major League games, and six of his first 10. He is showing it again early in the 2020 season. After a power-packed Summer Camp,","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":"","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"andrew-simon","title":"Andrew Simon","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-136","title":"Seattle Mariners","team":{"__ref":"Team:136"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-641786","title":"Kyle Lewis","person":{"__ref":"Person:641786"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"player-tracking","title":"Statcast","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"mlb-top-prospects","title":"MLB Top Prospects","type":"taxonomy"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/zdrymkodsjzza6rr24xe","title":"Mariners' Kyle Lewis a hitter to watch in 2020"},"getTeamsBySportId({\"ids\":[1]})":[{"__ref":"Team:133"},{"__ref":"Team:134"},{"__ref":"Team:135"},{"__ref":"Team:136"},{"__ref":"Team:137"},{"__ref":"Team:138"},{"__ref":"Team:139"},{"__ref":"Team:140"},{"__ref":"Team:141"},{"__ref":"Team:142"},{"__ref":"Team:143"},{"__ref":"Team:144"},{"__ref":"Team:145"},{"__ref":"Team:146"},{"__ref":"Team:147"},{"__ref":"Team:158"},{"__ref":"Team:108"},{"__ref":"Team:109"},{"__ref":"Team:110"},{"__ref":"Team:111"},{"__ref":"Team:112"},{"__ref":"Team:113"},{"__ref":"Team:114"},{"__ref":"Team:115"},{"__ref":"Team:116"},{"__ref":"Team:117"},{"__ref":"Team:118"},{"__ref":"Team:119"},{"__ref":"Team:120"},{"__ref":"Team:121"}],"getHeaderFromForgePath({\"contentSource\":\"MLB\",\"headerPath\":\"/_navs/header/sea/global-nav\",\"paletteKey\":\"t136-base-palette\",\"propertiesKey\":\"t136-global-properties\"})":{"__typename":"Header","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Single-Game Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/single-game-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Promotions","linkUrl":"/tickets/promotions","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Ticket Memberships","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Premium Ticket Memberships","linkUrl":"/tickets/premium","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Suites","linkUrl":"/tickets/premium/suites","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Groups & Hospitality","linkUrl":"/tickets/group-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mobile Ticketing","linkUrl":"/tickets/mobile/how-to-access","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Current Season Ticket Members","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/holders","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"My Mariners Account","linkUrl":"https://am.ticketmaster.com/mariners/","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Concerts at T-Mobile Park","linkUrl":"/tickets/concerts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift cards & Commemorative Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/gift-cards","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticketing Policies","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/holders/policies-procedures","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy & Sell Tickets on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/seattle-mariners-tickets?aid=15988&pid=integration&rid=1&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mariners_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Themed Ticket Specials","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Value Games","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/value-games","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"J-Rod Squad","linkUrl":"/tickets/specials/jrod-squad","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"rewards","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Season Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Current Season Ticket Members","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/holders","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Premium Seating","linkUrl":"/tickets/premium","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Ticket Benefits","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/holders/benefits","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Meet the Sales Team","linkUrl":"/tickets/account-managers","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"SplitSeason Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/split","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1583944649;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"My Mariners Account","linkUrl":"https://am.ticketmaster.com/mariners/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Ticket Member FAQ","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets/faq","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Digital Ticketing","linkUrl":"/tickets/mobile","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Ballpark app","linkUrl":"/apps/ballpark","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1638421140;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Community Resource Center","linkUrl":"/fans/resource-center","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Spring Training Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-02","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Regular Season Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-03","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Sortable Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/list","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Downloadable Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/downloadable-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Printable Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/printable-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Events","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Broadcast Affiliates","linkUrl":"/schedule/broadcast-affiliates","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"gameday","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"T-Mobile Park","linkUrl":"/ballpark","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Getting to T-Mobile Park","linkUrl":"/ballpark/transportation","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"A-to-Z Guide","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/guide","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gate & Bag Policy FAQ","linkUrl":"/ballpark/gate-bag-policy-faq","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Lost & Found","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/guide#l-content","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"T-Mobile Park Virtual Venue","linkUrl":"http://mariners.io-media.com/web/index.html","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"The T-Mobile 'Pen","linkUrl":"/tickets/the-pen","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Eats at T-Mobile Park","linkUrl":"/ballpark/top-eats","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Beverage Finder","linkUrl":"/ballpark/beer-finder","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"T-Mobile Park Experiences","linkUrl":"/ballpark/experiences","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Hall of Fame","linkUrl":"/fans/hall-of-fame","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"T-Mobile Park Concert Series","linkUrl":"/tickets/concerts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"T-Mobile Park Event Calendar","linkUrl":"/ballpark/events/calendar","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Facility Rental","linkUrl":"/ballpark/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Partnerships","linkUrl":"/sponsorship/partnership-opportunities","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Team Stores","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/team-stores","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Sustainability","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/sustainability","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Scores","linkUrl":"/scores","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Stats","linkUrl":"/stats","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Stats","linkUrl":"/stats/team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Prospect Stats","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/prospects/stats?teamId=136","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Affiliate Stats","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/prospects/stats/affiliates?teamId=136","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Roster","linkUrl":"/roster","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"40-Man Roster","linkUrl":"/roster/40-man","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Depth Chart","linkUrl":"/roster/depth-chart","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Player Name Pronunciations","linkUrl":"/team/pronunciation","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Player Social Media","linkUrl":"/social#player-accounts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Player Walk-Up Music","linkUrl":"/ballpark/music","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Non-Roster Invitees","linkUrl":"/roster/nri","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Coaches","linkUrl":"/roster/coaches","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top 30 Prospects","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/prospects/mariners","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Transactions","linkUrl":"/roster/transactions","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Injury Updates","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/topic/mariners-injury-report","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Starting Lineups","linkUrl":"/roster/starting-lineups","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Draft Results","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/all/team/mariners","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Front Office","linkUrl":"/team/front-office","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Broadcasters","linkUrl":"/team/broadcasters","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pronunciation Guide","linkUrl":"/team/pronunciation","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1635750000;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Minor League Affiliates","linkUrl":"https://www.milb.com/about/teams/by-affiliate#mariners","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Video","linkUrl":"/video","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Most Popular","linkUrl":"/video/topic/t136-default-vtp","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Reviews","linkUrl":"/video/topic/mariners-reviews","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Manager Postgame","linkUrl":"/video/topic/mariners-manager-postgame","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Cut4","linkUrl":"/video/topic/mariners-cut4","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Game Recap","linkUrl":"/video/topic/mariners-game-recap","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Curtain Calls","linkUrl":"/video/topic/mariners-curtain-calls","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Podcasts","linkUrl":"/fans/podcasts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Network","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/network","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch Live In-Market","linkUrl":"https://commerce.mlb.com/in-market/mariners/activate","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1583944649;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"News","linkUrl":"/news","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Official Releases","linkUrl":"/news/topic/mariners-press-releases","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Game Notes","linkUrl":"/news/game-notes","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Probable Pitchers","linkUrl":"/roster/probable-pitchers","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1633288200;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Pipeline","linkUrl":"/news/topic/mariners-pipeline-coverage","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Photo Stream","linkUrl":"/team/photos","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"RSS News Feed","linkUrl":"/feeds/news/rss.xml","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners History","linkUrl":"/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners History Feature Series","linkUrl":"/news/topic/mariners-history-trivia","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB News","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/news","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":"globe","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Community","linkUrl":"/community","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Community Programs","linkUrl":"/community/community-programs","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"The On BASE Hometown Nine","linkUrl":"/community/on-base/hometown-nine","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Training Centers","linkUrl":"/fans/training-center","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Donate to Mariners Care","linkUrl":"/forms/mariners-charitable-foundation-donations","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Charitable Donations","linkUrl":"/community/charitable-donations","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Non-Profit Ticket Donations","linkUrl":"/community/ticket-donations","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Social Justice Commitments","linkUrl":"/community/social-justice","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Black Lives Matter","linkUrl":"/community/black-lives-matter","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Community Impact Grants","linkUrl":"/community/impact-grants","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Care Requests","linkUrl":"/community/mariners-care-requests","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Care Equipment Donation Grant","linkUrl":"/community/equipment-donation","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Care Community Tour","linkUrl":"/community/tour","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Wives Charities","linkUrl":"/community/mariners-wives-charities","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"On BASE","linkUrl":"/community/on-base","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Together","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/mlb-together","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Fans","linkUrl":"/fans","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Tridents Up","linkUrl":"/tickets/tridents-up","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Street Fleet","linkUrl":"/community/tour","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Social Media","linkUrl":"/social","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Text Alerts","linkUrl":"/fans/text-alerts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Virtual Baseball Bash","linkUrl":"/fans/virtual-baseball-bash","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1612771140;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Welcome Back Fans","linkUrl":"/fans/update","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1625281200;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Care Charity Series","linkUrl":"/fans/charity-night","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1601276340;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Hot Stove Show","linkUrl":"/fans/hot-stove-show","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1612771140;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"ROOT Programming","linkUrl":"/fans/programming","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Scoreboard Messages","linkUrl":"/fans/scoreboard-messages","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1633108620;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Families","linkUrl":"/ballpark/families","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Kids","linkUrl":"/fans/kids","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Grand Slam Baseball and Softball Camps","linkUrl":"/fans/camps","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariner Moose","linkUrl":"/fans/mariner-moose","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Walk-up Music","linkUrl":"/ballpark/music","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1612771140;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Wallpapers","linkUrl":"/fans/wallpapers","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Newsletters","linkUrl":"/fans/newsletters","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Podcasts","linkUrl":"/fans/podcasts","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Official Mariners Blog","linkUrl":"http://marinersblog.mlblogs.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Vacations","linkUrl":"/tickets/travel","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Gift Guide","linkUrl":"/fans/gift-guide","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"appears:1572902880"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Apps","linkUrl":"/apps","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Standings","linkUrl":"/standings","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"appears:1654704000;expires:1657303200;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Vote","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-topnav-club-2022","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"watch","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/tv?&affiliateId=clubMENU","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV Offseason Package","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=clubMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games?&affiliateId=clubMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Link Account","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/partners?&affiliateId=clubMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/help-center?&affiliateId=clubMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/t-14893351+z-9767467-794195422?_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Jerseys","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/jerseys/t-14897739+d-4538558992+z-95-385196274?_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Caps","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/caps/t-36451140+d-8916990036+z-8-2682824587?_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Men's","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/men/t-14451173+ga-23+z-86096-1994173932?_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Women's","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/women/t-25906640+ga-68+z-966846-1339400880?_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Kids","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/kids/t-14239917+ga-70+z-907498-2135237965?_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Big & Tall","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/big-and-tall/t-36341128+es-79+z-969054-660025149?_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Trading Cards","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/trading-cards/d-4507487451+z-952513-2008381280?_s=bm-mlb.com-ShopButton-2024-TradingCards-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Collectibles & Memorabilia","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/collectibles-and-memorabilia/t-25673306+d-8916334416+z-8-1914399626?_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Home & Office","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/home-and-office/t-36566651+d-6794887811+z-93-1626804034?_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Clearance","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/t-14893351+z-9767467-794195422?os=1&_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"European Shop","linkUrl":"http://www.mlbshopeurope.com/stores/mlb/en/c/shop-by-team/american-league/seattle-mariners?portal=OSBGJ98M&CMP=PSC-OSBGJ98M","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift Certificates","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/gift-cards/x-462351+z-94899005-3509039474?_s=bm-mlbcom-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Authentics Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/seattle-mariners/new-era-caps-authentic-collection/t-14014406+br-909185+d-90618813+c-50060+z-9-589436477?_s=bm-mlb.com-Banners-2132019-NewEraAuthentic-160x160-sea","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Mariners Auctions - Bid or Buy","linkUrl":"https://mariners.auctions.mlb.com/?_gl=1*wrtrsj*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE2ODEzMTA3NTguQ2p3S0NBandyZG1oQmhCQkVpd0E0SHg1Z3o2dl9TZW54SkRtTFl4REpsRVBhTHRvSmlQUjFHZTY4SGpVWmYtU0lrTWdURmdDUU9kMmVSb0NnTk1RQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE2ODEzMTA3NTguQ2p3S0NBandyZG1oQmhCQkVpd0E0SHg1Z3o2dl9TZW54SkRtTFl4REpsRVBhTHRvSmlQUjFHZTY4SGpVWmYtU0lrTWdURmdDUU9kMmVSb0NnTk1RQXZEX0J3RQ..&utm_source=Nav+Auction+Tray+SEA&utm_medium=Club.com+Shop+Nav&utm_campaign=Club.com+permanent+Navigation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Auctions - Bid or Buy","linkUrl":"https://auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/showHomePage.action?sid=1101001&isynsharedsession=mki8i1dARcxDt3WwReTi6kJOREHftyZJNK-Xg3m10ZpEdaSACl02r4aCDzYhNvUm&utm_source=Nav+Auction+Tray+SEA&utm_medium=Club.com+Shop+Nav+MLB&utm_campaign=Club.com+permanent+Navigation","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Authentication","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/official-information/authentication","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Store Locations","linkUrl":"/ballpark/information/team-stores","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Teams","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/team","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Module","linkUrl":null,"linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Español","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/es/mariners","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]}],"cfPalette":{"__typename":"CF_Palette","headerMastheadBackgroundColor":"#005c5c","headerMastheadTextColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationBackgroundColor":"#0C2C56","headerNavigationBorderColor":"#005c5c","headerNavigationTextColorHover":"#ffffff","headerNavigationTextColor":"#ffffff"},"cfWebProperties":{"__typename":"CF_WebProperties","urlLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"//images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/t136_url_logomariners_url_svg/75d8af09460e3976d683c093a7d317e3/t136_url_logo.svg"},"headerMastheadTagline":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":"//images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/1AcznIxske1UIuIlr0cbnY/7f9c8e788953370df6fbfd540fcfae42/2024-TridentsUp-SiteTag-1.svg"},"headerPrimaryLogo":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadSponsorImage":{"__typename":"CF_Asset","url":null,"description":null},"headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth":"512px","headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight":"45px"}}},"Person:641786":{"__typename":"Person","id":641786},"Team:136":{"__typename":"Team","id":136,"division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"name":"Seattle Mariners","shortName":"Seattle","teamName":"Mariners"},"Team:117":{"__typename":"Team","id":117,"division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"name":"Houston Astros","shortName":"Houston","teamName":"Astros"},"Person:543037":{"__typename":"Person","id":543037},"Division:200":{"__typename":"Division","id":"200"},"Team:133":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":133,"name":"Athletics","shortName":"Athletics","teamName":"Athletics"},"Division:205":{"__typename":"Division","id":"205"},"Team:134":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":134,"name":"Pittsburgh Pirates","shortName":"Pittsburgh","teamName":"Pirates"},"Division:203":{"__typename":"Division","id":"203"},"Team:135":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":135,"name":"San Diego Padres","shortName":"San Diego","teamName":"Padres"},"Team:137":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","shortName":"San Francisco","teamName":"Giants"},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":138,"name":"St. Louis Cardinals","shortName":"St. Louis","teamName":"Cardinals"},"Division:201":{"__typename":"Division","id":"201"},"Team:139":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","shortName":"Tampa Bay","teamName":"Rays"},"Team:140":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":140,"name":"Texas Rangers","shortName":"Texas","teamName":"Rangers"},"Team:141":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":141,"name":"Toronto Blue Jays","shortName":"Toronto","teamName":"Blue Jays"},"Division:202":{"__typename":"Division","id":"202"},"Team:142":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":142,"name":"Minnesota Twins","shortName":"Minnesota","teamName":"Twins"},"Division:204":{"__typename":"Division","id":"204"},"Team:143":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":143,"name":"Philadelphia Phillies","shortName":"Philadelphia","teamName":"Phillies"},"Team:144":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":144,"name":"Atlanta Braves","shortName":"Atlanta","teamName":"Braves"},"Team:145":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":145,"name":"Chicago White Sox","shortName":"Chi White Sox","teamName":"White Sox"},"Team:146":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":146,"name":"Miami Marlins","shortName":"Miami","teamName":"Marlins"},"Team:147":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":147,"name":"New York Yankees","shortName":"NY Yankees","teamName":"Yankees"},"Team:158":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":158,"name":"Milwaukee Brewers","shortName":"Milwaukee","teamName":"Brewers"},"Team:108":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":108,"name":"Los Angeles Angels","shortName":"LA Angels","teamName":"Angels"},"Team:109":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":109,"name":"Arizona Diamondbacks","shortName":"Arizona","teamName":"D-backs"},"Team:110":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":110,"name":"Baltimore Orioles","shortName":"Baltimore","teamName":"Orioles"},"Team:111":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":111,"name":"Boston Red Sox","shortName":"Boston","teamName":"Red Sox"},"Team:112":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":112,"name":"Chicago Cubs","shortName":"Chi Cubs","teamName":"Cubs"},"Team:113":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":113,"name":"Cincinnati Reds","shortName":"Cincinnati","teamName":"Reds"},"Team:114":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":114,"name":"Cleveland Guardians","shortName":"Cleveland","teamName":"Guardians"},"Team:115":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":115,"name":"Colorado Rockies","shortName":"Colorado","teamName":"Rockies"},"Team:116":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":116,"name":"Detroit Tigers","shortName":"Detroit","teamName":"Tigers"},"Team:118":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":118,"name":"Kansas City Royals","shortName":"Kansas City","teamName":"Royals"},"Team:119":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":119,"name":"Los Angeles Dodgers","shortName":"LA Dodgers","teamName":"Dodgers"},"Team:120":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":120,"name":"Washington Nationals","shortName":"Washington","teamName":"Nationals"},"Team:121":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":121,"name":"New York Mets","shortName":"NY Mets","teamName":"Mets"}}}
window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbmariners","linkInternalFilters":"seattle,mariners"}
window.globalState = {"tracking_title":"Seattle Mariners","lang":"en"}
window.appId = ''
/*-->*/
This rookie is doing damage at the plate
This rookie is doing damage at the plate
Kyle Lewis crushing the ball early in his Mariners career
In seven games through Thursday, Lewis is batting a scalding .448/.500/.655, with multiple hits in five straight contests. He owns a career slugging percentage of .610 and is one of 13 players on record to go deep eight times in his first 20 games.
That won’t last, of course. We’re still talking about just 107 plate appearances in total. Baseball history is filled with hitters who started hot only to be left in the dust when the league inevitably adjusted.
But there are reasons for Seattle fans to be excited about Lewis, beyond the gaudy results thus far. The underlying numbers suggest a special type of hitter, albeit one who also faces questions about a highly visible weakness.
Here is a look at what makes the start to Lewis’ career so eye-popping, and what to watch for as he tries to make it stick.
Lewis has done it again! The #Mariners prospect is hitting .448 this season and has posted five straight multihit games. pic.twitter.com/a1fmWgun5g
Lewis has shown a capacity for elite exit velocity, with five of his home runs coming off the bat at 105 mph or harder, including the 110.9 mph shot off Verlander on Opening Day. His career hard-hit rate of 41.7 percent is solidly above average (around 37 percent), and FanGraphs reported that it was 53 percent in the Minors last season.
What stands out even more is how Lewis generates lift. Six seasons into Statcast’s tracking of launch angle, it’s no secret that driving the ball in the air is how a hitter does damage. But a metric called sweet-spot rate allows us to be more precise. Balls on the ground are rarely extra-base hits, but balls hit too high in the air are usually outs. The sweet spot is the happy medium between 8-32 degrees of launch angle that in 2019 produced a 1.175 slugging percentage and 78 percent of MLB’s extra-base hits.
Entering Thursday, Lewis had hit 45.6 percent of his career batted balls within that sweet spot, the 12th-highest rate out of 220 qualifiers since last Sept. 1. Again, we’re talking about a grand total of 57 batted balls here. But these underlying numbers tell us far more than the raw results.
The list of 11 hitters in front of Lewis on that list includes Ronald Acuña Jr., Yoán Moncada, Kris Bryant, Mookie Betts, Nick Castellanos and 2019 American League home run champ Jorge Soler. The MLB leader with a 43.8 percent sweet-spot rate in ‘19 was none other than Mike Trout.
Hitting the ball in the sweet spot, in and of itself, does not guarantee power. You still have to hit the ball hard -- which Lewis can. Just look at the players with the most barrels -- batted balls with an optimal combination of exit velocity and launch angle -- since Lewis made his MLB debut last Sept. 10. He’s in good company.
When you hit the ball like this, good things tend to follow. Among the aforementioned group of hitters since last Sept. 1, through Wednesday, here is where Lewis ranked in terms of productivity on balls put in play. Expected batting average (xBA) and expected slugging percentage (xSLG) are based on the quality of contact, rather than the actual results.
Notice that in the stat above, we highlighted the words, “on balls put in play.” That’s because getting bat on ball has been a bit of a challenge for Lewis. The 6-foot-4 slugger slugger struck out 29.4 percent of the time in Double-A last year, and that has risen to 38.3 percent so far in the Majors, including 37.5 percent in 2020.
MLB average is 23 percent, and in 2019, only two qualified hitters were at 30 percent or above: then-Mariner Domingo Santana and the Rangers’ Rougned Odor. Neither was especially effective overall.
It’s possible to overcome that sort of sky-high K-rate, but it is difficult. Margin for error is small. Of the 27 individual player seasons with at least a 34 percent K-rate (minimum 400 plate appearances), just 11 have come with a wRC+ that was at least league average (100). And those are the ones who managed to stay in the lineup.
Best offensive seasons with a 34% K-rate or higher Min. 400 PA
Miguel Sanó (2019 MIN): 137 wRC+, 36.2% K-rate
Mike Zunino (2017 SEA): 126 wRC+, 36.8% K-rate
Miguel Sanó (2017 MIN): 125 wRC+, 35.8% K-rate
Joey Gallo (2017 TEX): 119 wRC+, 36.8% K-rate
Adam Dunn (2012 CWS): 115 wRC+, 34.2% K-rate
That prompts two questions. Can Lewis cut down those strikeouts? Or, barring that, can he be the rare breed of hitter whose quality of contact is elite enough to be worth all the whiffs?
On the downside, Lewis swings and misses a ton. He’s come up empty on about 40 percent of his swings, one of the highest rates in MLB since his debut, though not out of line with the likes of elite sluggers such as Sanó and Aaron Judge.
What’s interesting about Lewis’ approach in the very early going in 2020 is that he has been far more selective. Here were his swing rates by location, through Thursday:
2019: 47.9 percent overall, 33.7 percent out of zone, 67.9 percent down the middle 2020: 39.3 percent overall, 27.8 percent out of zone, 75.0 percent down the middle
“I feel I’m better able to make good decisions on pitches in the damage zone,” Lewis said.
Through seven games this season, Lewis has drawn as many walks (three) as he did in 18 games in 2019. The continuation of that trend could do a lot to keep Lewis productive at the plate.
The 11th overall pick in the 2016 Draft out of Mercer (Ga.) University, Lewis missed significant time due to injury early in his Minor League career. Even now, he has only a bit more than 1,300 professional plate appearances, so it would hardly be a shock if he continues to refine his approach as he gains experience
Time will tell. For now, Lewis has put MLB on notice that he is a hitter to watch.