Pollock’s postseason experience a valuable addition

PEORIA, Ariz. — After ending the multi-decade postseason drought that hung over Seattle just like the clouds town is thought so properly for, the Mariners entered Spring Coaching with a starvation to make sure that their style of the playoffs would flip into one thing extra filling.

Seattle spent the offseason strategically making strikes to bolster its roster, assured that its core can carry it into the following part of the group’s growth: changing into a perennial postseason contender. The one place group that noticed probably the most turnover in that effort was the outfield.

Whereas the November commerce for Teoscar Hernández drew probably the most consideration, adopted by the departure of longtime Mariner Mitch Haniger in his first style of free company and the December deal that despatched away Jesse Winker in change for anticipated beginning second baseman Kolten Wong, Seattle made a quieter acquisition that might find yourself paying dividends through the 2023 season.

AJ Pollock, the 35-year-old veteran with a World Collection title to his title from his 2020 season with the Dodgers, signed a one-year contract value $7 million with the Mariners in January. After turning down a $13 million participant possibility with the White Sox for the ’23 marketing campaign (accepting a $5 million buyout), Pollock selected Seattle because the place the place he would possibly be capable to have the best impression.

Although it’s nonetheless the early days of spring camp, the Mariners have already seen what he has to supply.

“Bringing in veteran gamers is necessary, however you’ve received to get the best ones in right here,” mentioned supervisor Scott Servais. “Definitely, he’s received playoff expertise; he’s been on actually good groups. I feel it’s a very good match for him, and I do know it’s a very good match for us. … He’s introduced so much to our clubhouse.”

Along with all three years with the Dodgers (2019-21), Pollock first reached the postseason in ’17 with the D-backs, the staff he performed with for seven seasons, incomes each an All-Star nod and a Nationwide League Gold Glove Award; he was chosen by Arizona within the first spherical (seventeenth general) of the 2009 MLB Draft.

So he has been across the sport lengthy sufficient to know what it takes to achieve its highest echelons.

“It’s not a lot that I’m going to have a distinct perspective. It’s simply that once I say one thing, could be the identical factor as another person, however you may in all probability have a look at as, ‘Yeah, I imply, I’m talking from expertise,’” Pollock mentioned. “I really feel like I’ve skilled being on good groups, I’ve skilled being on unhealthy groups and I’ve skilled being within the center, and I really feel like I’ve a fairly good grasp on groups and stuff that I’ve seen work and stuff that I’ve seen not work.”

Throughout the Mariners’ outfield image, Pollock is predicted to tackle a platoon function, partnering with the left-handed-hitting Jarred Kelenic primarily in left subject. Kelenic, the membership’s No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline in 2021 — forward of reigning AL Rookie of the Yr Julio Rodríguez — was a first-round Draft decide as properly. But one more reason why having Pollock round could possibly be a boon for the 23-year-old coming into a pivotal yr with Seattle.

“What I’ve seen is that he’s an all-around good dude,” mentioned Kelenic, who has been placing collectively a standout spring. “I’ve loved spending time with him and choosing his mind and speaking to him, as a result of he’s undoubtedly a really sensible particular person. However on the identical time, I’ve received my routine that will get me proper; he has his.

“He’s large on simply ensuring that I’m being myself. I’ve heard him say it just a few occasions: ‘Simply be you.’ That’s simply form of what I’ve been doing.”

At this stage of his profession, Pollock isn’t frightened as a lot about enjoying time, realizing that there are many methods he could make a distinction for the Mariners. Nonetheless, he’s spending the spring with the identical drive that has given him endurance within the large leagues.

“I don’t ever wish to put together like I’m a platoon participant; I put together like I’m an on a regular basis participant,” Pollock mentioned. “I’m not going to be too up or too down whether or not I’m getting at-bats or not. I really feel like these guys are going to speak to me once I’m going to get alternatives and once I could be sitting, and that’s enormous.”

And when the time comes, Pollock will attempt to assist the Mariners construct postseason endurance, too.

“Being on the stage the place the feelings are excessive and the stakes are actually excessive, I’ve been there and I’ve seen how gamers and coaches and everybody responds to that state of affairs,” he mentioned. “While you expertise that stuff, it’s going to solely show you how to.”