WATCH: Seattle Mariners' Taylor Trammell Crushes Grand Slam in First AB of 2023
In his first plate appearance of the 2023 Major League Baseball season, outfielder Taylor Trammell blasted a grand slam off Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt in the top of the first inning of Sunday's game at Rogers Centre. Trammell's grand slam put the Mariners up 4-0 early.
Trammell was activated from the 10-day Injured List Sunday morning, after missing the last six weeks with a broken hand. In a corresponding roster move, the Mariners placed right-handed pitcher Easton McGee on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain.
Trammell was one of baseball's best prospects just a few years ago. In 2018, he was was the MVP of the All-Star Futures Game, while he was in the Cincinnati Reds' farm system. Trammell was moved in a trade to San Diego a year later, in a three-team deal in which the Reds acquired Trevor Bauer. Then in 2020, Trammell was dealt along with Ty France, Andres Munoz and Luis Torrens to the Mariners in exchange for Austin Nola, Austin Adams and Dan Altavilla.
Since making his big league debut in 2021, Trammell has struggled to find his footing at the Major League level. Through his first two seasons and 94 career games, Trammell is slashing .196/.284/.686.
There still is hope for Trammell to be a high-impact player, though. Outfielder Jarred Kelenic similarly made his big league premier in 2021, and was quickly humbled once he reached the show. Kelenic entered 2023 with a career slash line of .168/.251/.589. After a very strong showing at spring training, Kelenic is playing like an All-Star, slashing .322/.375/1.019 with seven home runs and 14 RBI in 25 games this season.
The M's never gave up on Kelenic and have not given up on Trammell either. Perhaps Trammell will break out in 2023 too.
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