Where have all the strikeouts gone?
The Mariners are striking out less often than last year. Can they keep it up?
It’s not exactly a secret that strikeouts have plagued the Mariners’ lineup for several seasons.
In 2023, Seattle’s 25.9-percent strikeout rate was second highest in MLB. Last year, the team tied for worst in baseball with woeful Colorado (26.8%). But things have moved towards better - only Sacramento has reduced strikeouts more than the Mariners have in 2025.
Most Improved SO% (2024 to 2025)
SAC (-5.1%)
SEA (-3.6%)
NYM (-2.4%)
CHC (-2.3%)
BOS (-2.3%)
TBR (-2.0%)
Leading the charge
Multiple holdovers from last year’s roster are striking out considerably less often than they did in the season prior. Let’s consider the most improved of the bunch: Jorge Polanco, Leo Rivas, Julio Rodríguez, Luke Raley, and Mitch Garver.
In the seasons leading up to Polanco becoming a Mariner, strikeouts were on the rise. But after undergoing offseason knee surgery, the 12-year veteran has improved more than any qualified hitter.
Polanco’s Annual SO%
2017 - 14.3%
2018 - 18.6%
2019 - 16.5%
2020 - 15.5%
2021 - 18.3%
2022 - 21.3%
2023 - 25.7%
2024 - 29.2%
2025 - 14.7%
Still, Polanco’s improvement is so extreme that it’s reasonable to wonder whether his current strikeout rate can be sustained for an entire season.
After striking out at an uncharacteristically high rate in 2024, Rivas has been much better this season (20.6%). This aligns with what the Venezuelan produced with Tacoma last season (19.2%).
Rodríguez’s improvement dates back to the end of 2024, which suggests the 24-year-old likely benefited from Hall of Famer Edgar Martínez becoming Seattle’s hitting coach last August.
To see what I mean, let’s consider Rodríguez’s strikeout rate during the 34 games prior to Martínez’s arrival and what the 2022 AL Rookie of the Year did in the final 34 contests of the season.
Julio’s SO% Before & After Edgar
Before: 25.8%
After: 21.1%
Fifty-one games into the 2025 campaign, Rodríguez’s 19.5-percent strikeout rate is significantly better than what he averaged over his previous three campaigns (25.2%). Perhaps we’re witnessing the next step in the two-time Silver Slugger’s evolution.
The currently-injured Raley experienced a huge drop in strikeouts after last year’s All-Star break. There’s a chance that his late-season improvement has carried over into 2025.
Raley’s 2024 SO% Splits
First half: 32-percent
Second half: 23.6-percent
The 23.8-percent strikeout rate Raley maintained prior to suffering an oblique injury last month is essentially the same as the second half of 2024. That said, I suggest taking a wait-and-see approach with the 30-year-old. He appeared in just 24 games prior to landing on the injured list.
Garver experienced a decline in strikeouts once Martínez arrived and his strikeout rate is even lower this year (26%). The nine-year veteran is also walking more frequently (15.6%). Still, I wouldn’t classify these numbers as encouraging. At least, not yet.
It’s Memorial Day weekend and Garver has just two extra-base hits. Among 301 hitters with 90-plus plate appearances, his .275 SLG ranks 283nd. Discouraging production from a hitter with a .479 SLG between 2021 and 2023.
Men in the middle
Six Mariners haven’t experienced an appreciable change to their strikeout rates: J.P. Crawford, Víctor Robles, Cal Raleigh, Dylan Moore, Miles Mastrobuoni, and Randy Arozarena. Let’s focus on Moore and Raleigh.
Moore is the Mariner who experienced the greatest improvement following Martínez’s arrival. The right-handed hitter had a 33-percent strikeout rate prior to the leadership change. Afterwards, he was much better (24.3%).
That said, Moore’s monthly strikeout rate in 2024 was a roller-coaster ride and it hasn’t changed for the better this season. In March and April, the Gold Glover was an average-ish 21.8-percent. But this month, just 12 of 283 hitters with 40-plus plate appearances are worse than Moore.
Still, Moore’s 26.9-percent strikeout rate this year is noticeably better than his previous three seasons combined (29.8%). Perhaps positive change is underway thanks to the influence of Martínez and new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer. Then again, it’s possible the manner in which manager Dan Wilson is utilizing the 32-year-old is paying dividends.
Raleigh’s strikeout rate in 2024 was unchanged compared to the season prior. However, the Florida State alum was demonstrably better after last year’s Mid-Summer Classic.
Raleigh’s 2024 Strikeout Rates
First half: 33%
Second half: 21.5%
Raleigh’s 27.1-percent strikeout rate this year is much higher than what he achieved in the second half of 2024. Yet, the switch-hitter has managed to be one of the most productive bats in MLB. His 14.9-percent walk rate, .258 AVG, and 172 wRC+ are all career highs.
Perhaps Martínez and Seitzer have steered Raleigh towards his offensive breakout. Maybe what we’re seeing is more about a player’s relentless drive to self-improve. Then again, it could be a combination of both factors.
Heading down the wrong road
Three newcomers are striking out significantly more often than in 2024: Rowdy Tellez, Donovan Solano, and Leodys Tavares.
Tellez’s 26-percent strikeout rate is the California native’s highest since his first full season in 2019. The picture is even bleaker for the 37-year-old Solano. His 25-percent strikeout rate is the worst of a big-league career dating back to 2012.
Tavares has struck out significantly more often with the Mariners (33.9%) than he did with the Rangers last year (21.2%). But the switch-hitter has just 56 plate appearances with Seattle. Therefore, we should allow the sample size to grow before assessing.
Looking ahead
The Mariners have done a nice job of reducing strikeouts, which matters greatly. Sure, hitters like Raleigh and Arozarena are capable of being effective run producers even with a strikeout rate that’s a bit on the high side. But from a team perspective, holding down the swing and miss matters.
When the Mariners ranked last in strikeout rate in 2024, they scored the 10th-fewest runs in baseball. This year, decreasing strikeouts by nearly four-percent has led to being ranked tenth best in the same category. With this in mind, it’s going to take a collective effort of every hitter to maintain the lineup’s current success.
So far, so good. We can check back at the All-Star break to see how things are going.
My Oh My…
Mariner hitters still have the seventh most strikeouts in MLB. Better than last year but still not great. Good to see that Julio has cut way down though.