The 2011 season of the Seattle Mariners was their 35th in franchise history. The season ended with a record 67 wins and 95 defeats. Despite the high number losses, the Mariners ended the season with a positive record. They won the AL West, their highest total in franchise history, finishing the year with a record of 67-55. Here’s a look at their 2011 season. Hopefully you’ll find some interesting facts about them.
Anthony Rendon – Rendon was widely considered the best prospect in college baseball after his sophomore year. He suffered a serious injury to his ankle while playing for Team USA during the summer 2010. Despite this setback he still had a great offensive record in college. He is likely to have every chance to make it into the Mariners’ starting rotation. There are many questions about his durability. If he struggles, the Mariners will need someone else to step up.
Francisco Lindor – The Mariners loved him during the 2011 draft but chose another player. The Mariners drafted Rendon ahead of Lindor, who was expected to be their first-round pick. But the Mariners were hesitant to pass on Lindor, and instead selected a left-handed pitcher from the University of Virginia, Danny Hultzen. In the end, the Mariners chose Lindor, but it wasn’t the right decision. The Mariners considered drafting Lindor higher than consensus but decided to draft a left-handed pitcher at the University of Virginia. The Cleveland Athletics drafted Lindor, and chose another pitcher.
The Seattle Mariners finished 2011 with a record of 67-95. They were 39-45 at home and 28-50 on the road, finishing fourth in the American League West. They scored 556 runs and gave up 675. Justin Smoak and Miguel Olivo, who both hit 20 home runs, were the team’s top two players. Felix Hernandez led the team with 14 wins, while Doug Fister recorded a 3.33 ERA.
Despite having the best pitching staff in baseball, the Mariners were forced to make some key additions to their roster this offseason. Ryan Langerhans, Luis Rodriguez were both added from the non-roster roster. The Mariners were slow to confirm their roster earlier in the offseason as players with late waiver claims could still get in. These roster additions make the 2011 Mariners season more exciting and compelling than ever.
Danny Hultzen was a mid-first round talent whose college numbers indicated he would have a major league career in a few years. Despite his poor stuff and mediocre control Hultzen showed signs that he was improving with his command. After struggling in Triple-A, he was pulled from the game because of flu. His struggles in Triple-A added to the pressure on him, which made it even more difficult for him to live up his draft status.
Although it was expected that Gerrit Cole from UCLA would be the first overall pick to Pittsburgh, the Mariners had their top pick in the draft so they decided to take him. Despite the uncertainty over the right-hander, the Mariners brought a 17-year-old shortstop from Florida’s Montverde Academy to Safeco Field for a workout. The Mariners’ scouts were impressed by his glove, athleticism, and personality.