Dominic Canzone is having a tremendous spring, making his case to be in the Mariners line-up most nights. On Monday, Canzone hit yet another homerun, his third of the Spring. Canzone is hitting an even .300, going 9 for 30 with three home runs and nine runs batted in. Over those 30 at bats Canzone owns a .300/.333/.1033 slash line.
Canzone’s main competitor for the starting job in left field is Luke Raley, who is coming off a solid season with the Rays. However, Raley has struggled this spring, hitting just .107/.242/.349 without a homerun and just one run batted in over 28 at bats after going 1 for 2 on Monday.
While it’s early in spring and with Raley coming off a better season, it’s worth comparing the two overall performances in the past, starting with their basic stats last season (only season for Canzone in the Big Leagues):
| 2023 Stats | Luke Raley | Dominic Canzone |
| Batting Average | .249 | .220 |
| On Base Percentage | .333 | .258 |
| Slugging Percentage | .490 | .399 |
| HR | 19 | 6 |
| RBI | 49 | 21 |
| OPS+ | 126 | 81 |
| At Bats | 357 | 173 |
| bWAR | 2.3 | -0.1 |
Obviously, overall last year Raley was a far superior player for the Rays. However, it’s worth noting that it was Raley’s first successful year after two unsuccessful stints in the majors. Both are fairly young, so it could be that Raley had a breakout season. However, it could also be a one-year wonder. So, let’s look at how their Statcast numbers compare from last season.
| 2023 Statcast Numbers | Luke Raley | Dominic Canzone |
| xBA | .225 | .258 |
| xWOBA | .327 | .326 |
| xSLUG | .437 | .470 |
| Hard Hit Percentage | 45.7 | 42.6 |
| K Rate | 31.5 | 17.6 |
| BB Rate | 6.9 | 4.4 |
So, while Raley his overall numbers were far superior. The expected numbers might favor Dominic Canzone. This is even the case in a down year for Canzone and a breakout season for Raley. Which to me shows that Canzone has more potential. Still, we can look at their minor league numbers and see how they fared in their minor league career.
Over a six-year minor league career, Luke Raley owns a .865 OPS, while Canzone owns a .933 career minor league OPS over 4 minor league seasons. While both of those numbers are solid, it’s another sign to come for Canzone in the Major Leagues.
Canzone is just 26 years old and a big part of the future for the Seattle Mariners. He is under control until 2029, while Raley is under control until 2028, so that’s a small advantage for Canzone. Raley is a little bit older, but still considered in his prime at 29. This is too close to make a difference in the decision.
Conclusion:
To me Canzone has shown, even in the major leagues, that he has more potential. If you look at the rate of Canzone, his contact and the ability to hit the ball more often, good things should come for the left fielder. To me the promise in the bat, should give Canzone the most playing time in left field over Raley. Yes, Raley had the better season if you look at the general numbers, but if you look a little bit deeper, it’s Canzone who has the edge.
Also, if you look at the minor league numbers from Canzone, he has shown his ability to hit at every level. To me 173 big league at bats doesn’t change that. Canzone hasn’t got a real opportunity, playing very few games and being traded mid-season last year. A first full season with a new organization should benefit him (like it did with Raley with the Rays).
Still, Raley is a useful player. He can play Right Field, First Base and Left Field. Raley will get a lot of at bats, being a multi-position player for the Mariners. Something that also favors Canzone being the everyday left fielder. We will see Raley and Canzone in the lineup together a lot during the season.
