Dae-Ho Lee Is Seattle Mariners' Most Underrated Player So Far In 2016

In all of the Seattle Mariners‘ existence, I don’t think there has ever been a more impactful bat off the bench, as well as celebrated as if he is a million-dollar starter, than Dae-Ho Lee.

It is nothing new to celebrate Lee, but the continuation of his limited at-bats as a backup first baseman is a bit baffling. Whatever the case may be, Lee has made sure to utilize the limited at-bats he has had.

He continued his hot streak last night in the historic win by the Mariners, who not only had the biggest comeback in their history, but also had the first 10-run comeback since 2009. To say it was surprising to see the Mariners come back from such a deficit (they were down 12-2 and won the game 16-13 at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres) would be the understatement of the year. Lee played a big part in the comeback, coming in for Adam Lind, who was 0-for-2 on the night. Lee was 3-for-3 with a home run, two runs and four RBIs.

Lee currently has the highest average on the team (with at least four at-bats) with a .301 average. He is also fifth on the team in home runs with eight, and that’s with only 83 at-bats. Robinson Cano leads the team with 16 home runs in 215 at-bats. With those averages, and if Lee had the same amount of at-bats as Cano, he would lead the team. Lee is hitting a home run about every 10 at-bats while Cano is hitting one about one in every 13 or so at-bats.

That is when comparing him to arguable the best player on the Mariners, let alone his competition at first base (yes, I called it a competition), Lind. It’s not as if Lind is playing horribly, as he is sporting a .255 average with six home runs and 23 RBIs. That is in 137 at-bats, though. How the continuation of Lee as the backup continues is beyond me, but I have covered that in the past.

Even with his limited role, Lee finds a way to impact almost every game. His defense has been well above what had been expected, as he has not committed a single error. It is players like Lee who the Mariners will count on to continue their success they have had this season. Although Lee should be the starter, having two qualified first basemen is something most clubs do not have the luxury of having.

Hopefully Lee’s role will grow as the season continues, but there is no way to complain about the production he has had to this point. The fans love him (Dae-Ho Lee Grail Shirts have become quite popular), the team loves him and I don’t see that changing in the near future. There should be no underestimating Lee, as he is a true weapon at the plate for the Mariners.