BREAKING: Mariners fans Receives Big News on potential solution to first base problem
The Seattle Mariners’ offseason could arguably be summed up by their signing of Donovan Solano, a move that didn’t make a significant impact—especially when compared to other infield targets like Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso.
Ultimately, Solano is expected to share first-base duties with Luke Raley, leaving many Mariners fans questioning whether this duo will be enough in 2025.
But what if there’s another potential answer to the first base dilemma?
CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson recently compiled a list of breakout candidates for each MLB team, assigning a confidence level—high, medium, or low—to each pick. For the Mariners, he chose Tyler Locklear, giving him a medium confidence rating.
Tyler Locklear is highly rated by the Mariners and in general
Anderson begins by noting Locklear’s struggles following his MLB debut in June, particularly his 20 strikeouts in 49 plate appearances, which highlight his swing-and-miss tendencies. Additionally, being a right-handed first baseman presents its own challenges at T-Mobile Park.
That said, the Mariners saw enough potential in Locklear to select him in the second round of the 2022 draft. He ranked as the organization’s No. 6 prospect last year and is currently listed as the No. 10 first base prospect in MLB Pipeline.
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Offensively, Locklear’s raw power stands out, but scouts also praise his ability to hit to all fields. While his time in the Majors last season had its difficulties, the experience should be valuable for his growth. After posting a solid .260/.371/.430 slash line with an .801 OPS in 70 games at Triple-A Tacoma, he has certainly earned another shot.
Tyler Locklear’s potential could benefit the Mariners this year
Despite Locklear’s high strikeout rate in the Majors last season, Anderson remains optimistic about his strong swing decisions—a trait that stood out throughout his progression in the minors. Coupled with his impressive strength, Anderson predicts that Locklear will get “a prolonged look” at first base at some point in 2025.
In a way, hoping for Locklear to get an extended opportunity this season feels like a double-edged sword, as it would likely mean Solano and Raley struggled to produce. However, if Locklear truly is the Mariners’ future at first base and as talented as many believe, there’s an argument to be made that his time should come sooner rather than later.