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New Seattle Mariners Coach Kevin Seitzer Discusses ‘Aggressive’ Hitting Philosophy

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New Seattle Mariners Coach Kevin Seitzer Discusses ‘Aggressive’ Hitting Philosophy


During the last month of the season, there was an argument to be had that the Seattle Mariners offense was one of the most improved in baseball.

For most of the season, the lineup struggled with strikeouts, inconsistency and injury. There wasn’t a set lineup until August.

The offense ended up leading the league in strikeouts (1,625), but improved after hitting coach Edgar Martinez and Dan Wilson was hired on Aug. 22.

Seattle ranked within the top 10 of the league in several offensive statistics after Martinez and Wilson took the reins. But it was reported that Martinez wouldn’t be back with the team in a full-time capacity in 2025, leaving the team looking for its fourth hitting coach in two seasons.

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The Mariners found Martinez’s replacement in the form of decade-long Atlanta Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer. Seitzer will be reporting to Martinez. The latter will oversee the hitting program as Senior Director of Hitting Strategy. He’ll travel with the team in a limited capacity, per reports.

Seitzer went on the Foul Territory podcast on Tuesday to talk about his new role and what his approach will be with Seattle.

“I’m in the beginning stages of digging in on these guys. But just going off what Edgar’s told me and (the) front office when we’ve had conversations through the interview process and after I got the job, some of the things they were saying is just Edgar got them in the middle of the field and using the off-gap. Getting back on the fastball, there was a lot of sitting on pitches, taking percentage of counts, or percentage of pitches in certain counts, and then kind of selling out to that. … Edgar just got them hunting the fastball, staying in the middle of the field the other way and just (being) aggressive. And for me, that’s my No. 1 M.O.. You got to have hitters that are aggressive. But the more you have a plan of where you’re hunting that fastball and trying to stay in the middle of the field it helps with timing, helps with recognition, helps repeat that good swing path to stay inside the ball more consistently.”

Martinez was praised by players like JP Crawford and Julio Rodriguez for his simplified approach at the plate. Martinez will have a say in how the hitting program is constructed throughout the season. But based on Seitzer’s comments, it seems like his philosophy falls in line with Martinez’s.

Seitzer coached two National League MVPs in Freddie Freeman (2020) and Ronald Acuna (2023) and his offenses averaged a ninth-place finish in batting average in his decade in Atlanta.

If that success translates to the Pacific Northwest, then the Mariners’ offense will be much more effective in 2025.

MLB INSIDER FLOATS POSSIBLE INFIELD FITS FOR THE MARINERS: The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal discussed possible moves that would net the Seattle Mariners high-tier infielders. CLICK HERE

MARINERS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE 2025 COACHING STAFF: The Seattle Mariners confirmed reports that a long-time and well-accomplished Atlanta Braves hitting coach will be joining the coaching staff for 2025. CLICK HERE

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POPULAR BASEBALL SITE PROJECTS BOUNCE BACK 2025 FOR JULIO RODRIGUEZ: The Seattle Mariners face of the franchise could be in for a bounce-back 2025 per FanGraphs’ ZiPS projections.CLICK HERE

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast by clicking HERE.





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The Honorable Brandon Lee Gowton Picks for Seattle at #32 | Field Gulls

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The Honorable Brandon Lee Gowton Picks for Seattle at #32 | Field Gulls


BLG has been widely known as one of the better SBNation blog editors and works
over at Bleeding Green Nation. During the off-season, he’s been writing his mock
draft blog and just wrote up–a rather lengthy–mock pick for the Seahawks at
#32.

Personally, not enamored with the pick, but he does a VERY deep dive into the
offensive and defensive makeup of the Hawks, trying…



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Brock: 2 drafts fits at edge rusher for Seattle Seahawks

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Brock: 2 drafts fits at edge rusher for Seattle Seahawks


After months of build up, the Seattle Seahawks are less than 48 hours from being on the clock for their first pick of the NFL Draft, as long as they hold on to pick No. 32 in the first round.

Seahawks Draft: A mid-round edge rusher with elite length

While the offensive line has long been a need for the Seahawks in drafts, this year running back, edge rusher and cornerback are among their top positions of need.

Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard highlighted a pair of players who could help bolster the Seahawks’ edge group as he continued his draft profile series Tuesday during Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.

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In this edition of Huard’s draft profiles, he looked at Michigan edge rushers Derrick Moore and Jaishawn Barham, who also played on the same team together in high school at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore.

Huard pointed to the connection head coach Mike Macdonald, a former Michigan defensive coordinator, and many members of his coaching staff have to the Michigan program.

“They know these guys, they know them inside and out,” Huard said. “They typically like they’re Michigan men, and these are two physical guys that have all the attributes you’re looking for on the edge.”

The high-floor pick

Moore is coming off a decorated four-year career at Michigan where he piled up 24.5 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, eight passes defended and three forced fumbles in 53 games.

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This past season, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Moore totaled 10.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles while earning first-team All-Big Ten honors.

“I think this is a pretty fair quote about him: ‘Unselfish, well-rounded, high floor.’ Is he a high-ceiling guy? Not as much as Barham, but he’s a very high-floor guy,” Huard said.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has Moore ranked as the No. 65 prospect in this years draft. ESPN has him ranked 60th.

“He is just your fierce, tough, edgy, productive (player),” Huard said. “He played in space a little bit more. They are field-boundary scheme at Michigan at times. He’s been more of the field rusher, more against your left tackle. And (he’s) just got more in the tool bag… He’s been a defensive end. He’s pretty well versed in it. He’s going to have a bigger tool bag, I think, than both Boye (Mafe) and Derrick Hall had, and he’s going to be a second, late-second-round (pick). Rugged, tough Michigan guy.”

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The high-ceiling pick

Barham spent his first two college seasons at Maryland, which included earning Freshman All-American honors in 2022, and transferred to Michigan in 2024. He played linebacker at Maryland and in his first season at Michigan before making the move to edge for his final college season.

In 12 games at a new position in 2025, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Barham amassed 10 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.

“Jaishawn Barham is a little bit more of a wild card, and one of the scouts that was quoted in some of the prep for this said he may bloom with the right coaching,” Huard said.

Huard recalled seeing Barham as a freshman at Maryland while he was doing color commentary for FOX and being in awe of how physically mature he already looked.

“I remember being on the field, as a freshman, looking at him going, ‘There’s just no way. There’s no way humanly possible that that guy played high school football the year before,’” Huard said.

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Jeremiah has Barham ranked as the No. 77 prospect in the draft. ESPN has him ranked 88th.

“He is a higher ceiling guy you’re going to have to coach up,” Huard said. “He doesn’t come with years and years and years of experience on the edge.”

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft coverage

• An under-the-radar Seattle Seahawks need Brock Huard sees
• NFL Draft: What – and who – Seahawks could get by trading back
• Why Hasselbeck says Seahawks are in great spot to trade back
• Seattle Seahawks open to trading top pick for bigger draft class
• A player Seahawks could trade for another draft pick

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West Seattle Tool Library to host annual tool sale this Saturday, April 25 | The White Center Blog

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West Seattle Tool Library to host annual tool sale this Saturday, April 25 | The White Center Blog


The West Seattle Tool Library will host its annual tool sale this Saturday, April 25, offering hundreds of tools at discounted prices during its largest fundraiser of the year.

The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in West Seattle (map below), according to organizers.

Shoppers can expect a wide selection of items, including power drills, saws, hand tools and gardening equipment. Proceeds from the sale will support the nonprofit’s mission to provide community access to tools and hands on learning opportunities.

“It’s a fun day for everyone and a great way to support a local resource that empowers neighbors with tools and learning opportunities,” said Dale Becker, president of the West Seattle Tool Library board of directors.

Becker added that the sale also offers “a great chance to pick up tools at excellent prices, perfect for those starting a collection or simply adding to one.”

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This year’s sale coincides with the Cooper Artist Garage Sale, creating an opportunity for visitors to explore multiple community events in one day.

Organizers said donations of working tools are still being accepted during regular library hours to support the fundraiser. The workshop will be closed from April 22 through April 26, and the Wednesday Fix It Workshop will be canceled. The workshop is scheduled to reopen April 28.

For more info, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2059705868142923

About West Seattle Tool Library

The West Seattle Tool Library provides affordable access to a wide range of tools and educational resources, enabling community members to complete home, garden, and DIY projects while promoting sustainable reuse and a sense of community.

The West Seattle Tool Library is a local non-profit organization that provides affordable access to a wide range of tools and educational resources, enabling community members to complete home, garden, and DIY projects while promoting sustainable reuse and a sense of community.

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