Looking For Potential Breakout Stars On The 2015 Seattle Mariners
Sep 12, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) hits an RBI-double against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Like Ackley, Zunino was taken with one of the draft’s first three picks. Like Ackley, he has yet to live up to his offensive ceiling. But unlike Ackley, Zunino plays elite up-the-middle defense. And he’s already shown that his most important offensive trait is just about fully developed.
Zunino’s 2014 was characterized best by two things he did at the plate: strike out and hit home runs. He took those J.P. Arencebia comparisons and made a charicature of them, hitting 22 home runs but with 33.2% strikeouts. His overall line of .199/.254/.404 was pretty gross, but hiding underneath it all was a bonafide slugger. Who, you know, plays incredible defense behind the plate.
What happens if Zunino stops striking out and learns to take a walk? He becomes Buster Posey, or something like it. If Zunino can get on base, then he’s just about a complete player at the game’s most demanding position. A star, to say the least. While completely embarrassing himself in 75% of his plate appearances, 2014 Mike Zunino still managed 1.7 WAR. Imagine if his OBP was, say, .300. Still below average, but enough to let his power and defense turn him into a star.