Mariners Projected to Have 2 Top-5 MLB Players in 2026

Seattle's young core of Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez could make them a force in the American League.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 7:47am

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According to MLB.com's projections, the Seattle Mariners are poised to have two of the five best players in Major League Baseball in 2026. Catcher Cal Raleigh is projected to have the third-highest Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among position players, while center fielder Julio Rodriguez is projected to have the fifth-highest WAR. The Mariners are the only team expected to have two players ranked that highly.

Why it matters

The Mariners have struggled to reach the playoffs in recent years, but this projection suggests their young core of Raleigh and Rodriguez could make them a force to be reckoned with in the American League in the coming years. Having two elite-level players would give the Mariners a significant advantage over most other teams.

The details

Raleigh is projected to hit 38 home runs and post a 5.9 WAR, which would trail only Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. Rodriguez is projected for a 5.3 WAR, 30 home runs, and 23 stolen bases, making him one of the most well-rounded players in the game. Together, the two young stars could power the Mariners to new heights.

  • The MLB.com projections were released on January 31, 2026.

The players

Cal Raleigh

A catcher for the Seattle Mariners who is projected to have the third-highest Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among position players in 2026, with 38 home runs.

Julio Rodriguez

A center fielder for the Seattle Mariners who is projected to have the fifth-highest Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among position players in 2026, with 30 home runs and 23 stolen bases.

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What they’re saying

“Raleigh's historic 60-homer season as a catcher in 2025 translates to a top-five hitter projection in 2026 -- Steamer projects the Mariners star for the third-highest position player WAR behind only Judge and Bobby Witt Jr., and for the fourth-most home runs behind Ohtani, Judge and Kyle Schwarber.”

— David Adler, MLB.com Writer (MLB.com)

“While Raleigh provides elite slugging at one premium position in catcher, his teammate Rodríguez provides electric all-around play at another premium position in center field. J-Rod is projected for the fifth-highest WAR among position players thanks to his power, speed and defense in center, making Seattle the only team with two projected top-five players.”

— David Adler, MLB.com Writer (MLB.com)

What’s next

The Mariners will look to build around their young core of Raleigh and Rodriguez in the coming years, with the goal of ending their playoff drought and competing for a World Series championship.

The takeaway

The Mariners' impressive young talent, led by the projected top-5 performances of Raleigh and Rodriguez, suggests the team is poised to become a force in the American League in the near future. If these projections hold true, Seattle could be on the verge of a special season and a long-awaited return to the playoffs.