Watch: Julio Rodriguez Hits Absolutely Mammoth Home Run to Give Seattle Mariners Lead on Sunday

Rodriguez had started the year in a 1-for-11 slump and had looked lost at the plate at times, but his at-bats looked better on Sunday preceding the home run. He flew out to deep right-center in his first at-bat.

The Mariners will need Rodriguez to get going if they are to make noise in the American League West again this season. After spending just over $10 million this offseason, the M's are counting on internal options and internal improvements, of which Rodriguez is a part of.

He hit .273 last season with 20 homers and 68 RBI. He's a two-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger. Prior to Sunday's game, Mariners on SI caught up with manager Dan Wilson to talk about what he has seen from Rodriguez in the early going.

You know, ​I ​was ​excited ​to ​see ​that ​hit ​to ​right ​field ​the ​other ​night. ​​He's ​been ​using ​the ​entire ​field ​all ​spring ​training, ​and ​that's ​where ​he ​really ​swings ​the ​bat ​well, ​when ​he's ​thinking ​that ​way. ​​And that's really ​what ​I ​think ​his ​mindset ​is ​when ​he ​gets ​in ​the ​box. ​So, ​I ​think ​it ​was ​great ​to ​see ​that, ​and ​hopefully ​that's ​the ​beginning ​of ​something.

The Mariners will play the Tigers at T-Mobile Park on Monday night at 6:40 p.m. PT.