Mariners fans are in for a surprise as they learn their team has been named the most underrated designated hitter (DH) in Major League Baseball (MLB). MLB.com's 2026 All-Underrated Team features two Seattle Mariners players, with shortstop J.P. Crawford and Dominic Canzone at DH standing out.
J.P. Crawford, a 31-year-old shortstop, has been a polarizing figure in Seattle. However, his impressive 108 OPS+ since 2021 ranks third among all shortstops with at least 700 games and 50% of appearances at the position. This aligns with our previous assessment, where we named Crawford as one of the Mariners' underrated players heading into the 2026 season, despite his strong performance in the previous season.
The real surprise comes with Dominic Canzone, who had a breakout year in his third season with the Mariners. Canzone's performance in September, with a .365/.414/.635 slash line and 1.048 OPS, was particularly impressive. His single-month bests and a 5-for-5 performance against the Kansas City Royals on September 16th, including the first three-homer game of his career, showcased his potential. However, his playoff performance was underwhelming, with just 3-for-28 and a solitary RBI in 10 games.
Despite Canzone's impressive September, there's a debate about his underrated status. Anthony Castrovince, the author, acknowledges the small sample size and even hints at a potential overrating, especially given Canzone's Italian-American background. He suggests that Kerry Carpenter of the Tigers or Iván Herrera of the Cardinals might be more underrated choices for the DH spot.
The Mariners' fans are left with a fascinating discussion, questioning whether Canzone's performance justifies his inclusion. The team's success and Canzone's potential make this a thought-provoking topic, inviting fans to share their opinions and interpretations in the comments.
