Julio Rodríguez has not traditionally been the fastest starter in his Seattle Mariners career, but that may be changing.
At least when it comes to power.
Cal Raleigh Show: What we learned from the Mariners catcher
Seattle’s 24-year-old superstar center fielder connected for his second home run of the young season on Friday afternoon, taking new San Francisco pitcher Justin Verlander deep to the opposite field in the Giants’ home opener at Oracle Park.
Advertisement
Watch it here.
That’s no easy ballpark to homer in, either. With a 78 park factor on home runs through last year, Oracle Park is the hardest place to go yard in all of baseball. For comparison, the Mariners’ T-Mobile Park has a 96 home run park factor, which is 19th in MLB.
Making it all the more impressive is Rodríguez hit his homer against a nine-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and a former MVP. Sure, Verlander is 42, but he’s still Justin Verlander, less than a couple years removed from posting a 3.22 ERA.
Entering this year, Rodríguez had struggled to hit for power in the early months of the season. He had just six career home runs in the months of March and April, five of which came in 2023. But he got on the board this year with a mammoth homer to the upper deck in left field at T-Mobile Park last Sunday, which was the first time he’d ever left the park in March. Now he’s flexed his ability to go the way with Friday’s oppo taco.
Advertisement
Watch: Julio Rodríguez blasts first HR of the 2025 season
With the solo shot off of Verlander, Rodríguez improved his season slash line to .217/.400/.565 for a .965 OPS in eight games (30 plate appearances). Also worth mentioning is the potential for more patience this year. With five walks already, Rodríguez sports a nice 16.7% walk rate. For his career, Rodríguez’s walk rate is 6.8%.
The Mariners are in San Francisco for a three-game set, which in addition to being their first road trip of 2025 will be their shortest. The M’s will be right back in Seattle on Monday for three games against Verlander’s old team, the Houston Astros, followed by three more against another AL West rival, the Texas Rangers.
Seattle Mariners news and analysis
• Mariners make roster move ahead of road opener • The Mariners whose stocks are rising and falling after opening week • Mariners getting ‘good signs’ that bullpen could be a strength • A new update on Mariners reliever Matt Brash’s return • Passan: What Seattle Mariners, Cal Raleigh each get out of extension
SEATTLE – It is the end of an era for Top Pot in Queen Anne as the cafe announces its closure of the location on Friday.
Top Pot Doughnuts and Coffee at 325 West Galer Street has been running for nearly two decades in the Seattle neighborhood.
Advertisement
Top Pot Queen Anne, storefront by Colleen K. and donuts by Judi M. via Yelp.
The cafe will officially close on Sunday, Apr. 27. Owners say the lease is ending, but did not immediately provide more details on the cause of the closure.
“This cafe has been home to so many memories–from your morning rituals to late afternoon pick-me-ups – and we’re truly grateful for your support and loyalty over the years.”
Advertisement
The statement, released on social media heading into the weekend, continued with reassurance to customers that their remaining nearby locations will remain open for business, such as those in Ballard, South Lake Union, 5th Avenue or various others in the metro area.
The Source: Information for this article comes from Top Pot Doughnuts.
Advertisement
MORE TOP STORIES FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Seattle driver plummets off multi-story parking garage, 77-year-old rescued
Thousands attend Seattle ‘Hands Off!’ rally against Trump, Elon Musk
Sue Bird named to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Trump tariffs live updates: Global markets plunge as countries scramble to respond
Advertisement
USPS mail delivery changes begin: Here’s what to know
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Advertisement
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
It’s unclear whether Texas offensive tackle/guard Kelvin Banks Jr. will still be available for the Seattle Seahawks when it comes time for the No. 18 overall pick in next week’s NFL Draft.
A surprise player who could fall to Seahawks at No. 18
But if he’s still on the board, former NFL quarterback Brock Huard has a simple three-word message for the Seahawks.
“Draft Kelvin Banks,” Huard said during his draft profile Wednesday on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.
Advertisement
Huard certainly isn’t the only one who shares that viewpoint. During an appearance on Brock and Salk last week, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller was asked which offensive lineman the Seahawks should take if Banks, North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel and Alabama guard Tyler Booker are each still an option at No. 18.
“I’d want Kelvin Banks,” Miller said. “He’s my No. 8 overall player, so that’s easy. I would run to the podium. … I think Kelvin Banks could be an All-Pro guard if you want to put him at left guard. He’s 6-foot-5. He’s got a big wingspan. He’s great in the run game. Has mobility in the pass game.
“If you could put him at guard next to a good tackle? Man, you could have something really special.”
A highly accomplished lineman
The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Banks started 42 games at left tackle over a highly accomplished three-year career at Texas. Along the way, he allowed just four sacks in 1,544 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Advertisement
As an 18-year-old true freshman in 2022, Banks earned second-team All-Big 12 honors. In 2023, he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection. And as a 20-year-old this past season, he was a first-team All-American who won the Lombardi Award as the nation’s top offensive lineman. In addition, he won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top lineman on either side of the line of scrimmage this past fall.
And as Huard pointed out, he’s still incredibly young for all he’s accomplished.
“He’s not reached his ceiling,” Huard said. “To think he’s gonna come into this league as a 21-year-old with 42 starts at an All-American level, and do so as a 21-year-old, with that movement, that athleticism? You’re gonna get the best of Kelvin for the next three, four, five years.”
‘Best-case scenario’
While Banks played left tackle at Texas, some think he’s better-suited to slide inside to guard in the NFL. That versatility would benefit the Seahawks by giving them added flexibility as they work to revamp their struggling O-line.
The big question, of course, is whether Banks makes it down to No. 18.
Advertisement
ESPN’s Field Yates predicts the San Francisco 49ers to draft him at No. 11 in his latest mock draft. Miller ranks him as the eighth-best overall prospect, but projects in his latest mock draft that he’ll fall all the way to the Green Bay Packers at No. 23.
Huard certainly hopes the latter scenario plays out. Along with left tackle Charles Cross and right tackle Abraham Lucas, Banks could potentially give the Seahawks a formidable trio up front.
“The best-case scenario?” Huard said. “Charles Cross, you play left tackle. Abe, you play right tackle. Or maybe Abe, you slide in and play right guard and (Banks) plays right tackle. I’ve got athlete, I’ve got athlete, I’ve got athlete. I’ve got stud, I’ve got stud, I’ve got stud.
“I’ve got clay that I’ve not had to mold on the offensive line in a long, long time in Seattle. Draft Kelvin Banks.”
Listen to the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Tune in to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
Advertisement
Seattle Seahawks news and analysis
• Seahawks GM: What Lock’s return means for QB room, draft plans • Brock: Free agents Seattle Seahawks could turn to after the draft • Seahawks Draft Targets: Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer on his top prospects • A dream trade-up target for Seattle Seahawks in NFL Draft • Brock on Seahawks Draft: A Seattle native with big O-line upside
