10 mins agoSeattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez is coming off of a down year rooted in a power slip, though he also only stole 24 bases compared to 37 in 2023. But dropping from 32 home runs to 20 was not the third-year trend anyone had hoped for. He also missed a couple of weeks due to a right ankle sprain, which combined with Seattle's horrid offense, led to 101 fewer plate appearances than in '23. The Mariners' team batting average of .224 was only better than the White Sox (.221). This left Rodriguez with only 76 runs scored and 68 RBI after clearing 100 in each category the year before. Positive regression for the entire team should help, though they've yet to bolster their lineup through free agency as of late January. Still, Rodriguez's struggles with lifting and pulling the ball with any authority through the summer were the central issues. In July 2024, Because of his track record and a red-hot September that saw the old J-Rod return. He thwacked seven home runs (and five doubles) for a .328 average and 46 R+RBI in his last 26 games as his pull rate climbed toward 40 percent again. The 24-year-old also went a perfect 6-for-6 on steal attempts. This 40 HR/35 SB pace, mixed with past performance and getting another year into his prime, provides ample reason for most to buy back in. Early January ATC projections grant him 27 home runs and 27 steals over 147 games, underscoring the expected return of pop alongside the wheels.--Nick Mariano - RotoBaller