In the fight to make more effort for the Mariners the team needs to add…

The Seattle Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez has been struggling under the weight of expectations and pressure, especially during the recent road trip where he had difficulty getting on base. Unlike previous seasons where injuries affected his performance, this time it seems to be more of a mental block.

While the entire team has been underperforming offensively, Julio’s situation stands out due to the high expectations placed on him after his impressive start in the MLB. The pressure to live up to his early success and the hopes of the fan base can be overwhelming, leading him to push himself even harder, potentially risking injury.

Julio’s chase rate has shown a significant increase in his first two seasons, rising from 33.5% in 2022 to 37.4% in 2023, and currently hovering just below 36% this season. Additionally, his walk rate has steadily declined each subsequent season, going from 7.1% to 6.6% and now 6.1% this year. This trend indicates a natural inclination to seek big moments rather than adopting a more cautious approach.

While walks may not grab headlines or hold the same allure as home runs or game-changing hits, they play a crucial role in a player’s performance. However, due to the way pitchers have been attacking Julio, it has become increasingly challenging for him to find hittable pitches within the strike zone. This observation was highlighted by Mariners Hall of Famer Alvin Davis when analyzing Julio’s plate performance this season.

Furthermore, the lack of a consistent and formidable threat in the lineup behind Julio has further compounded the issue. This absence not only hampers his ability to maintain a disciplined approach but also limits the number of quality pitches he receives. The batters who have had the most starts behind Julio this year include Cal Raleigh, Jorge Polanco, Mitch Haniger, Mitch Garver, and Ty France.

Among these players, only France has a wRC+ (109) that ranks in the top 80 in baseball among qualified hitters on the Mariners. Additionally, both Raleigh and Garver rank in the top 10 in strikeout rate. Moreover, Polanco’s plate appearances behind Julio were primarily concentrated in the first month of the season, where he struggled with a batting average of .170, a slugging percentage of .290, and 37 strikeouts in 100 at-bats.

This highlights the importance of adding an impact bat to the lineup. Whether it be the power of players like Pete Alonso or Vladimir Guerrero Jr., or the consistency demonstrated by individuals such as Issac Paredes or Yandy Díaz from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Mariners need someone who can alleviate the pressure on Julio by posing a genuine threat to opposing pitchers.

In the sixth inning on Wednesday against the Rays, a notable display of skill was witnessed. With two outs and a runner on first, Julio faced a challenging situation as the Mariners were trailing 1-0 with only one hit in the game so far. Despite falling behind 0-2, Julio demonstrated resilience by fouling off several pitches and eventually earning a nine-pitch walk.

Following this, Raleigh made a significant impact on the game by hitting a go-ahead three-run homer. This sequence of events highlights the potential for the Mariners to support Julio and enhance their offensive capabilities. By strengthening the lineup behind him, the team can prevent pitchers from walking Julio, ultimately relieving pressure and enabling him to showcase his full potential at the plate.