Seattle Mariners: Ryon Healy can be explosive in more ways than one
Emerald City Swagger is in the middle of our 2018 Seattle Mariners player reviews. We start with the position players, then move on to the pitchers. Today is first baseman, Ryon Healy.
Anyone who was wondering what type of player Seattle Mariners first baseman Ryon Healy was coming into the season got their answer. He is a dang good player who can hit the cover off the ball and also plays a good defensive first base. Healy had a great year at the plate, power wise. Sure there were ups and downs, like any other MLB player, but when he was on, he was on.
Who can possibly forget August 12 when Healy hit a solo shot against the Astros in the top of the ninth with two outs to tie the game and eventually send it to extra innings? It was one of the most clutch hits we’ve seen from someone in of a Mariners uniform in a long while.
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The former Oregon Ducks player finished with a career-low batting average of .235 but had 116 hits along the way in only 133 games. His voice and presence in the clubhouse was also part of his role with the Mariners. Healy’s energy was infectious to his teammates. He might have gotten more at-bats if M’s manager Scott Servais hadn’t decided to Robinson Cano some time at first base.
If Healy needs to work on one thing, it’s managing the highs and lows of a long baseball season. He tended to get very down on himself when he was struggling. Many times this year, the raw emotion would come out after a strikeout, an error, or a popup off his bat. It’s fine to have emotion. In fact, it is encouraged and it is popular opinion that raw emotion is something baseball lacks.
However, that emotion should not affect his play. It seemed like when things weren’t going so well for him, Healy would struggle to get his confidence and mindset back. That is a big problem for a professional. Last year was only his third season in baseball so that is something that he’ll only improve on.
Next. Seattle Mariners: The disappearing bat of Guillermo Heredia. dark
Healy was able to string a good season together and showed signs of a good all-around hitter. He asserted himself as a vocal leader for the team and it was a joy to watch him this year. The best thing about Healy is that he is young and will only get better, which bodes well for the Mariners.