The Seattle Mariners made strides offensively last season, yet they still found themselves lacking in production from the leadoff spot. Despite ranking in the top 10 for runs scored, their leadoff hitters were near the bottom of the league, sitting at 27th in OPS and 24th in both on-base percentage and wRC+.
This season, the Mariners are looking to shake things up with the addition of Brendan Donovan, who is expected to step into the leadoff role. Donovan brings a fresh approach to the top of the lineup, and his impact could be significant.
Upgrading the Leadoff Spot
Last year, the Mariners had to quickly adjust their leadoff strategy when Victor Robles suffered a fractured shoulder early in the season. They experimented with Julio Rodríguez and Dylan Moore before J.P.
Crawford took over for an extended period. By late July, Randy Arozarena was the choice to finish the season.
Despite their efforts, the team’s leadoff hitters ended up with a lackluster .237/.311/.348 slash line and a .659 OPS. Arozarena, in particular, struggled with a .218 average and a .302 on-base percentage in that role.
Enter Donovan, whose career numbers-.282/.361/.411 slash line and .772 OPS-suggest a significant upgrade. While Mariners’ leadoff hitters hit 15 home runs last season compared to Donovan's 162-game career average of 13, Donovan's knack for hitting doubles (32 on average) surpasses the 28 from Seattle's leadoff spot in 2025.
The expectation, as discussed by Mike Salk on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk, is that Donovan will get on base more often, hit more doubles, and generally put more pressure on opposing teams. “He’s just a better hitter, just a flat-out better hitter than what they had at that position last year,” Salk noted.
A Different Kind of Threat
One striking difference Donovan brings is his ability to avoid strikeouts. He averages 89 strikeouts over 162 games, a stark contrast to the 165 amassed by Mariners’ leadoff hitters in 2025. “It’s a crazy difference,” Salk emphasized.
Donovan's patience and contact ability make him a formidable presence at the plate, capable of wearing down pitchers. Despite averaging fewer pitches per plate appearance than Crawford and Arozarena, Donovan excels in making those pitches count. His ability to extend at-bats and capitalize on them with hits and walks sets him apart.
While he may not be a home run threat, Donovan’s understanding of T-Mobile Park could make him a real nuisance for opposing teams. By getting on base and tiring out pitchers, he sets the stage for the hitters following him to capitalize on those opportunities.
In summary, Brendan Donovan's presence in the leadoff spot could be a game-changer for the Mariners, providing the consistency and pressure they’ve been missing. Keep an eye on how he shapes the team’s offensive dynamics this season.