Victor Robles Making a Case for Himself
Not much went right for the Seattle Mariners in their 2-1 loss against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. One thing that did go right is the performance of outfielder Victor Robles.
Robles has been an asset for the Mariners since they acquired him. And he's proving it on a consistent basis.
Robles was signed by Seattle as a free agent back on June 4 after he was released by the Washington Nationals — a team he won the World Series with back in 2019.
Robles was struggling with injuries this season with the Nationals. When he was healthy, he wasn't performing. He was batting .120 for Washington in 14 games and 25 at-bats. He had no multi-base hits and just two RBIs.
Ever since Robles has made the 2,758-mile move from Washington to Seattle, he's played exceedingly well. Even while getting limited playing time.
Robles has batted 11-for-29 in 21 games for Seattle (.379 average) with four doubles, a home run and three RBIs.
Victor Robles goes upper tank! #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/4H06yzmVTS
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 7, 2024
Robles' main role on the team is to be a bat against left-handed pitchers and as a fill-in outfielder in case of injuries.
Ironically, Robles has done the best against righties recently. In his last three starts against right-handed pitchers, he's gone 5-for-8 with a home run, two doubles, two RBIs and has scored twice.
In Robles' lone start in July against a lefty, he went 0-for-2.
In a tweet from @EastCoastMs_, Robles led the Mariners in wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) during a week that the team went 5-2.
Seattle Mariners players wRC+ in the past week (July 4th-July 11th):
— EastCoastM’s🔱 (@EastCoastMs_) July 12, 2024
Victor Robles: 441
Julio Rodriguez: 340
Cal Raleigh: 234
Mitch Haniger: 128
Jorge Polanco: 127
JP Crawford: 125
The Mariners are 5-2 over this time span. The core can take this team to the promise land🤷 pic.twitter.com/mbTjadqvuG
With the All-Star break and trade deadline coming in the next two weeks, the odds are slim for Robles to supplant outfielders Mitch Haniger, Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley as a consistent starting corner outfielder. At least until the dust settles from the trade deadline.
But the stats don't lie. Even if it is in a limited sample size, Seattle doesn't have a lot to lose giving Robles an extended look in the starting lineup.
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