Photo Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

This 2019 Silver Slugger Just Became a Mariner

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Keith Brunner Jr | Last updated 12/26/23

The 2023 season was Mitch Garver ‘s best offensive season since he was named a Silver Slugger in 2019. He bounced back from his 2022 season after he had surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right forearm in July. Garver was an integral asset in helping the Texas Rangers win their first World Series championship last season. After winning it all, he soon became a free agent. Now, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Mitch Garver has signed with the Seattle Mariners for two years and $24 million.

If he can continue to build off of his 2023 campaign, Garver should find much more success in 2024. Aside from the highs, the soon-to-be 33-year-old catcher has also experienced some low points during his seven-year career. His veteran experience and his postseason success from last year will give the Mariners a lot of hope heading into next season.

BREAKING: Catcher Mitch Garver and the Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a two-year, $24 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to him, Mariners fans who get to celebrate an unexpected gift and everyone else.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 25, 2023

Mitch Garver Signs with the Mariners

Like most batters, Garver’s most successful pitch to hit was a fastball. Against the fastball, he recorded 44 hits and 12 home runs, with a slugging percentage of .581. In two-strike situations, the 2019 Silver Slugger struggled most against the slider, striking out 35 percent of the time. Garver also stumbled against curveballs and splitters. Nearly 30 percent of those pitches he struck out on. It will be challenging, but if Garver can adjust to some of the breaking ball pitches thrown at him, he could find much success in 2024.

Garver’s 2023 Stats

Last season, Garver played in 87 games. In 296 at-bats, he recorded 80 hits, 19 home runs, and 50 runs batted in with a .270 batting average. The 2023 season was his best statistical season since 2019. During the postseason in 2023, the 2019 Silver Slugger had 12 base hits, including three home runs, while scoring 14 runs. He struggled during the World Series against the Diamondbacks. Garver had just two hits in nineteen at-bats. In Game One of the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles, Garver had a homer and five runs batted in during an 11-8 win.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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