Three-time All-Star center fielder Julio Rodriguez is predicted to have another standout year.
The face of the Seattle Mariners for the better part four seasons now has been center fielder Julio Rodriguez.
Despite catcher Cal Raleigh's transcendent 2025, which included him setting the MLB single-season home run records for catchers and switch-hitters (60) and finishing second in the American League MVP race, Rodriguez has been front-and-center when it comes to discussions involving the Mariners.
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Since he made his major league debut in 2022, Rodriguez has been named an All-Star three times, and he has received MVP votes in multiple years.
Rodriguez is coming off his third All-Star season in 2025. He scored 106 runs in 160 games, and hit 31 doubles, four triples, and 32 home runs with 95 RBIs. He slashed .267/.324/.474 with a .798 OPS and stole 30 bases in 36 opportunities.
In the playoffs, Rodriguez scored six times in 12 games, and he hit two doubles and four homers - with nine RBIs. He slashed .208/.309/.500 with an .809 OPS.
Rodriguez was also one of the most valuable players in baseball this past season. He finished with a 5.7 fWAR (FanGraphs WAR), which ranked fifth in the major leagues among outfielders. He finished behind notable players such as back-to-back AL MVP Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Corbin Carroll and Jarren Duran.
And according to a recent projections model, Rodriguez might be due for another solid season in 2026.
FanGraphs' ZiPS projections model has Rodriguez leading the Mariners with a 5.6 fWAR in 2026. The model has Rodriguez slightly ahead Raleigh (5.4 fWAR) and two WAR ahead of first baseman Josh Naylor (3.2), who Seattle signed to a five-year, $92.5 million contract this offseason.
FanGraphs' 2026 Seattle Mariners ZiPS ProjectionsFanGraphs has Rodriguez finishing '26 with 94 runs, 29 doubles, two triples and 29 home runs with 98 RBIs to go with 27 steals in 33 opportunities. The model predicts a slash line of .266/.326/.463 and a .789 OPS.
These numbers would indicate a slight step back for Rodriguez in '26 compared to this past season but still an All-Star caliber year. With Naylor now on the team full-time and top prospect Colt Emerson potentially in the fold, there could also be less pressure on Rodriguez, as well as Raleigh, to carry the load for the team offensively next season.
If Rodriguez makes his fourth All-Star team in his fifth season, it would place him in a very rare category of player that includes names of Hall of Famers such Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Cal Ripken Jr.
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