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Mariners Stars Struggle Early, But No Need to Panic
Early season slumps for Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, and Josh Naylor have Mariners fans worried, but these are likely just temporary setbacks.
Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:18pm
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The Seattle Mariners entered the 2026 season with high expectations, but several of their star players have struggled mightily out of the gate. All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh, rising superstar center fielder Julio Rodriguez, and new free agent first baseman Josh Naylor have all gotten off to slow starts at the plate. However, the article argues that these early-season slumps are likely just temporary and not indicative of any long-term decline for these talented players.
Why it matters
The Mariners were seen as a World Series contender this season, so the early struggles of their top hitters have caused concern among the fanbase. However, the article cautions against overreacting to small sample sizes, noting that elite hitters like Raleigh and Rodriguez have historically started slowly before heating up as the season progresses. Naylor's slow start is also attributed to the normal adjustment period for a new player in a new uniform.
The details
Cal Raleigh, the Mariners' All-Star catcher and 2025 AL MVP runner-up, has gotten off to a slow start, hitting just .179 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs through the first 12 games. However, the article notes that Raleigh played a career-high 159 games last season and participated in the World Baseball Classic before the regular season, which likely contributed to his early struggles. Julio Rodriguez, the Mariners' rising superstar center fielder, is hitting just .077 through his first 26 at-bats, but the article points out that slow Aprils have been a trend for Rodriguez, who has historically heated up as the season progresses. Finally, new free agent signing Josh Naylor is hitting just .094 with 0 home runs and 2 RBIs through his first 32 at-bats, but the article argues that this is a normal adjustment period for a player joining a new team and facing unfamiliar pitchers.
- Raleigh played a career-high 159 games in 2025 and logged 705 plate appearances.
- Raleigh posted a 2-for-15 line with 10 strikeouts during the World Baseball Classic, and the struggles carried over into the regular season.
- Rodriguez hit just .202 in April 2025 before surging to .321 in August and .272 in September.
- Naylor signed with the Mariners in free agency last November after being acquired in a trade deadline deal in 2025.
The players
Cal Raleigh
The Mariners' All-Star catcher and 2025 AL MVP runner-up, known for his power hitting.
Julio Rodriguez
The Mariners' rising superstar center fielder, who finished 6th in the 2025 AL MVP voting.
Josh Naylor
The Mariners' new free agent signing at first base, who won the Tip O'Neill Award as Canada's best MLB player in 2023.
The takeaway
While the early-season struggles of Mariners stars like Raleigh, Rodriguez, and Naylor have raised concerns among the fanbase, these are likely just temporary setbacks. Elite hitters like Raleigh and Rodriguez have proven track records of heating up as the season progresses, and new additions like Naylor typically need time to adjust to a new team and pitchers. With a long season ahead, there's no need for Mariners fans to panic just yet.
