Mariners Game Information — Feb. 24 at Chicago-AL (Spring #1)
HEY RICK AND DAVE…the Mariners play their first game of 2024 Spring Training today against the Chicago White Sox, but…DID YOU KNOW?…the Mariners boast one of the youngest groups of both position players and pitching staffs in the Major Leagues?…Seattle’s impact players younger than 30-years-old include 2-time All-Star, 2-time Silver Slugger Award winner and 2022 AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodríguez (age 23), catcher Cal Raleigh (age 27), who led MLB catchers with 30 home runs last season, All-Star pitcher George Kirby (age 26), fellow starters Logan Gilbert (age 27), Bryce Miller (25) and Bryan Woo (24), impact relievers Matt Brash (25), Andrés Muñoz (25) and Gregory Santos (24), outfielder Dominic Canzone (26), infielders J.P. Crawford (29), Josh Rojas (29), Ty France (29) and Luis Urías (26).
TODAY’S TILT…the Mariners begin 2024 Cactus League action with a road game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch…Seattle went 14–13–3 in 30 Cactus League games last Spring Training.
SPRING BREAKDOWN…the Mariners are set to play 33 exhibition games in 2024 (31 in Arizona): 29 Cactus League games, 2 prospect games (Spring Breakout on March 15 vs. San Diego and March 23 vs. San Diego) and 2 games at San Diego on March 25–26…Seattle is set to play 18 games at Peoria Stadium this spring.
ON THE AIR…today’s game against the White Sox will be broadcast live on Seattle Sports (710 AM) with Rick Rizzs and Dave Sims on the call…the game will also be televised live with Bonus Coverage from ROOT SPORTS…the game will also be televised on MLB.TV.
AGAINST THE WHITE SOX…the Mariners are 22–26–2 in 50 all-time matchups against the White Sox in Spring Training…Seattle is set to face off against the South Siders 4 times this spring: today at Chicago-AL, Feb. 29 and March 16 in Peoria, and March 23 at Camelback Ranch.
FAMILIAR FACES AND IMPACT ADDITIONS…of the 40 players on Seattle’s Major League, 40-man roster, 24 spent time in the Mariners organization in 2023…of the 16 newcomers, 14 are new to the organization while outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Levi Stoudt return to the Mariners…of the 24 returnees from last season (13 pitchers + 11 position players), all but one (outfielder Jonatan Clase) appeared in the Majors with Seattle last season…the 14 players completely new to the organization include 7 pitchers: Cody Bolton, Jackson Kowar, Mauricio Llovera, Gregory Santos, Collin Snider, Carlos Vargas and Austin Voth, and 7 position players: catchers Blake Hunt and Seby Zavala; infielders Jorge Polanco and Luis Urías; infielder/outfielders Luke Raley and Samad Taylor; and designated hitter/catcher Mitch Garver.
THE ROSTER…the Mariners Major League, Spring Training roster is at 73 players (40 players on the 40-man roster + 33 non-roster invitees)…the roster features 36 pitchers (21 on 40-man + 15 NRI) and 37 position players (19 on 40-man + 18 NRI)…of the 36 pitchers (21+15), 30 are right-handed pitchers (19+10) with 6 lefties (2+4)…a breakdown of the 37 position players: 8 catchers (4+4), 16 infielders (5+11), 10 outfielders (7+3) and 3 infielder/outfielders (3+0).
MLB NETWORK TOP 100…MLB Network named its “Top 100 Players Right Now”, with the Mariners landing 5 players in the Top 100: outfielder Julio Rodríguez (#10), right-hander Luis Castillo (#54), shortstop J.P. Crawford (#69), right-hander George Kirby (#75) and catcher Cal Raleigh (#93).
THE COACHING STAFF…manager Scott Servais enters his 9th season as Seattle’s skipper…returning to the Major League staff are Third Base Coach Manny Acta, Major League Coach & Director of Pitching Strategy Trent Blank, Hitting Coach & Director of Hitting Strategy Jarret DeHart, Infield Coach Perry Hill, First Base Coach Kristopher Negrón, Major League Field Coordinator Carson Vitale and Pitching Coach Pete Woodworth…additionally, Tony Arnerich transitions to Bullpen Coach…the Mariners added 3 coaches to their big-league staff: Bench Coach & Offensive Coordinator Brant Brown, Major League Pitching Strategist and Asst. Pitching Coach Danny Farquhar and Asst. Hitting Coach Tommy Joseph.
TOP PROSPECTS IN CAMP…three of the Mariners top-5 prospects according to Baseball America are in Major League camp: infielder Cole Young (#1 Mariners prospect, #44 in MLB), catcher Harry Ford (#2 Mariners, #51 MLB) and infielder Tyler Locklear (#5 Mariners)…in addition to the 3 in the top-5, right-hander Emerson Hancock (#9), outfielder Jonatan Clase (#10), infielder Ryan Bliss (#14), outfielder Alberto Rodriguez (#17), outfielder Spencer Packard (#20), infielder Brock Rodden (#22), right-hander Jimmy Joyce (#23), infielder Hogan Windish (#24), left-hander Reid VanScoter (#27) and right-hander Carlos Vargas (#30) round out the 13 players in Seattle’s top-30 (Baseball America) in MLB camp…MLB.com’s Top Prospects list will be announced on March 6.
OPENING MONTH OF THE SEASON…the Mariners will open the 2024 regular season at T-Mobile Park, with Opening Day against the Boston Red Sox on March 28…promotions during the first month of the season include 3 consecutive Julio Rodríguez “No Fly Zone” Bobblehead Nights from April 1–3 vs. Cleveland, with bobbleheads going to the first 10,000 fans each game…“Mariners Hoodie Night” on April 12 vs. the Cubs…“Salute To Armed Forces Night — Mariners Cap” on April 13 vs. the Cubs…3 consecutive Ken Griffey Jr. “Home Run Robbery” Bobblehead Nights from April 15–17 vs. Cincinnati…other promotions include “Mariners Turn Ahead The Clock Jersey Night” on April 26 vs. Arizona, “90s Night — Mariners Neon Hat Night” on April 27 vs. Arizona, 2 Little League Days (April 14 & 28), Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 and “Bark at the Park” on April 29 vs. Atlanta.
