Julio Rodríguez dropped in Mariners lineup as former Rookie of the Year sees power slip, strikeouts rise

julio rodríguez dropped in mariners lineup as former rookie of the year sees power slip, strikeouts rise

Julio Rodríguez dropped in Mariners lineup as former Rookie of the Year sees power slip, strikeouts rise

In the second year of a contract extension that could be worth almost $200 million and coming off back-to-back top-10 finishes in the AL MVP balloting, struggling Seattle Mariners superstar Julio Rodríguez has been dropped to sixth in the lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Yankees:

Of  Rodríguez's 49 starts thus far in 2024, he batted second in Scott Servais' lineup 45 times and leadoff four times. As such, the drop to sixth in an offense that ranks near the bottom of the AL in runs scored is a jarring one for one of the most compelling young players in the game. Presently, Rodríguez has a 2024 slash line of .263/.311/.318 with just two home runs in 98 at-bats. That comes to an OPS+ of 86, which means that Rodríguez's park-adjusted OPS is 14% worse than the league-average mark. For context, Rodríguez coming into this season had a career OPS+ of 136, or 36% better than the league mean, over his first two seasons in Seattle. Here's more context:

Beyond the top-line numbers, it's also concerning that Rodríguez has seen his K% and whiff rate both spike. His value at the vital position of center and on the bases means he's still been a crucial part of the Mariners' success thus far, but they need Rodríguez to produce at the plate more in line with expectations. The hope, no doubt, is that the drop in the order will help him find his familiar level.

The encouraging news is that Rodríguez is still hitting the ball very hard and has deserved better, if not quite vintage, outcomes off the bat. That points to better days ahead for the 23-year-old.

Despite the struggles of Rodríguez in particular and the offense in general, the Mariners go into Thursday's slate with a 27-23 record and a three-game lead over the Rangers in the AL West. No doubt, though, improvement from Rodríguez would greatly aid the cause, and it may be necessary in a division that also houses the Rangers and Astros.

OTHER NEWS

21 minutes ago

Alpine’s F1 misfortunes carry over to Le Mans with early race catastrophes

22 minutes ago

Greens justify £350bn spending plan

22 minutes ago

George, Charlotte and Louis issue first ever royal statement with new Father's Day photo

22 minutes ago

Weather partly cloudy

22 minutes ago

Aston Villa transfer news: Why heroic Tammy Abraham return has no downside

23 minutes ago

Lakers News: Jerry West’s Legacy Honored by Former Lakers Champion in Emotional Tribute

23 minutes ago

With rain on the way, Lake Houston being lowered by a foot

23 minutes ago

Video: Dramatic moment armed German police close in on axeman near Euro 2024 fan zone in Hamburg before shooting him after he made firebomb threat just hours before Netherlands clash with Poland

26 minutes ago

Experts warn gardeners DON'T install artificial 'fake' grass this summer - here's why

26 minutes ago

Dramatic moment armed German police close in on axeman near Euro 2024 fan zone in Hamburg before shooting him after he made firebomb threat just hours before Netherlands clash with Poland

27 minutes ago

Peter Dutton’s plan to ditch 2030 emissions target would drive up power bills, Penny Wong says

27 minutes ago

‘I made millions for doing nothing!’: How rapper Vanilla Ice built a real estate and media empire — he's reportedly worth $20 million

27 minutes ago

Mavs knock on top-four door, extend Firebirds' misery

27 minutes ago

How to Debloat Windows 11 for Optimal Performance

27 minutes ago

Are Holland and Netherlands the same country? Here's why Virgil van Dijk's team are called by two names

27 minutes ago

Red Bull tipped to ‘walk it’ at Spanish GP under one key condition

27 minutes ago

Starting from scratch at 40? I’d use Warren Buffett’s golden rule to build wealth

27 minutes ago

Loving husband and father who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1989 and infected with Hepatitis C through contaminated blood products was unable to recognise his own children after being 'abandoned'  by the UK's healthcare system

27 minutes ago

How David Beckham is swapping the bright lights of the A-list for idyllic country living - just like The Good Life's Tom and Barbara

27 minutes ago

Edinburgh studio flat with bunk bed in kitchen hits the market for an eye-watering £950 a month

27 minutes ago

Can YOU find the three broken suitcases within 30 seconds? Test your eagle eyes with this tricky brainteaser

27 minutes ago

Dave Cassin: Ultra-fit bodybuilder husband suddenly dies after celebrating anniversary

27 minutes ago

What England's axed Euro 2024 players are getting up to on their summers off from Marcus Rashford partying out in Cannes to Jack Grealish jetsetting off to Dubai

27 minutes ago

Two boats crash into each other and man thrown overboard as brutal gales plunge Isle of Wight annual yacht race into chaos

27 minutes ago

The 'David vs Goliath' court battles... where the little guy wins: How huge corporations like McDonalds, Vogue and Louis Vuitton dragged small businesses into legal battles in a bid to 'protect their brands' - but common sense prevailed!

27 minutes ago

Families' fury over 'awful' overgrown cemetery as grieving relatives are forced to cut grass and weeds themselves with scissors to access loved ones' graves

27 minutes ago

We live near to landfill site that stinks of rotten eggs - the stench is making our lives a misery and causing a spate of illnesses

27 minutes ago

Interactive map reveals the cheapest Spoons in London for a pint during the Euros for just £2.24 - and the most expensive

27 minutes ago

Andy Murray selected for fifth Olympics as Emma Raducanu turns down Paris Games

27 minutes ago

UFL championship game: Odds, how to watch Birmingham Stallions vs. San Antonio Brahmas

27 minutes ago

Southgate jumps to England star's defence after Keane and Rooney criticism

27 minutes ago

Injury set to rule All Blacks star out of Super Rugby Pacific final

27 minutes ago

Las Vegas Strip Sphere signs huge rock band for new residency

27 minutes ago

Why animal activists want to cancel the RSPCA

27 minutes ago

'Panda swap' confirmed for Aussie zoo amid boost to China relations

27 minutes ago

2024 US Open Leaderboard Live: Updates, score for golf leaders at Pinehurst Sunday

27 minutes ago

Ex Odisha Guv Bhandare passes away: Naveen Patnaik condoles demise

27 minutes ago

‘Stay away’: Barnaby Joyce urges businesses not to play politics after Voice defeat

27 minutes ago

IDF backtracks on Rafah tactical truce after Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir lash out

34 minutes ago

Ex-Eastenders actor turned Labour lord Michael Cashman makes grovelling apology to Rosie Duffield for branding gender-critical candidate 'frit or lazy' after she pulls out of election events over harassment fears