The Seattle Mariners wrapped up the 2023 season on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over the Texas Rangers.
The Mariners had a productive season, going 88-74, but they failed to make the playoffs after making a playoff run in 2022.
Despite the sting and disappointment of falling short, there were plenty of positives for Seattle, including the continued development of shortstop J.P. Crawford.
Crawford, who was one of the first pieces the M's acquired after they launched their rebuild in 2019, really came into his own at the plate, hitting .266 with 19 homers and 65 RBI. He also hit at the top of the order after Julio Rodriguez was struggling in that role and solidified the leadoff spot.
Furthermore, he led the American League in a surprising category: walks.
Per @MarinersPR on social media before the season finale:
.@JP_Crawford leads the American League in walks (94), with a chance to become the first @Mariners player in franchise history to lead the league in walks.
Read more in today's Game Notes:
Crawford ended the year with the 94 walks, one ahead of Nathaniel Lowe (Texas, 93) and two ahead of Alex Bregman (Houston, 92).
It's surprising to see Crawford lead the league given that he's not a power-hitter and that he only played 145 games, whereas Lowe and Bregman each played in 161.
The Mariners are armed with a young core and nucleus and should still be very formidable in 2024. If Crawford is able to take another offensive jump, they get that much scarier in the American League West.
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