Luke Raley had essentially a lost season in 2025, but perhaps his hot spring will carry momentum in the 2026 regular season. If it does, that could be a big win for the M's.
On Thursday, I wrote a column about spring training results for the Seattle Mariners.
Everyone says that they don't matter, but for certain players, I believe they do. Thursday's column discussed the poor springs for both Victor Robles and Mitch Garver and why they could matter moving forward.
However, it can also work the other way, and I'm hoping that's the case for M's outfielder Luke Raley.
Acquired before the 2024 season from the Tampa Bay Rays, Raley had an excellent 2024, hitting 22 home runs and becoming an integral part of the team's lineup. But because of multiple injured list stints, Raley's 2025 season was essentially lost. He hit only .202 with four home runs and was left off the American League Championship Series roster.
But his Cactus League performances should offer him plenty of confidence heading into the regular season. Entering play on Friday, he's hitting .286 with three home runs. He's also hitting the ball exceptionally hard - routinely.
Seattle Mariners right fielder Luke Raley (20) at bat in the third inning against the San Diego Padres during a Spring Training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Matt Kartozian-Imagn ImagesI said the following on Friday's edition of the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast:
"...but when I'm trying to assign importance to spring results for players, I look at Luke Raley as a test case for saying, "Okay, that guy, I believe, needed some confidence coming into spring," right? Spent last year injured, right? Two separate injured list stints. He clearly wants to come into this season, this spring, and prove that he is healthy. He would like the confidence of being healthy. Then he would like the confidence of playing well and performing well, and turning that health into positive performance, and with that, then hopefully that can set him up for a good season ahead.
I think that the confidence factor for Luke Raley was important this spring, and that I think he needed to gain it. Well, you know what? Here he is. He's hitting .286, .388 on-base percentage, three home runs, eight RBIs. He's hitting the ball hard. Constantly you look at him, he's hitting the ball over 100 miles an hour. I just think it's important for him to get some positive momentum to help put himself at ease, right."
About his role moving forward
As long as Raley continues to hit well, he figures to get plenty of chances in 2026. It's likely that he and Dominic Canzone form a right field/designated hitter pairing against right-handed pitching, with Robles and Rob Refnsynder doing the same against lefties.
The Mariners open up the season on March 26 against the Cleveland Guardians.
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