A surprise contribution can make a huge impact on a team over the course of a full MLB season. Last year, it was Jorge Polanco, who had pretty low expectations entering the season, but quickly proved so valuable at the plate that he was in the lineup every day regardless of where they had to play him on the field. He was instrumental in the Mariners’ push to win the AL west and their playoff victory over the Tigers in the ALDS. Enter Dominic Canzone.
So far this season, he has been confined to a platoon role with Robles and Refsnider in the RF/DH positions. But he is coming off a 2025 season that showed incredible improvement over his previous self, and has started off 2026 on fire. In 82 games last season, his hard-hit rate, bat speed, exit velo, and strikeout rate all improved drastically. His BABIP was over .350, a large increase from 2024, but it appeared to be mostly due to improved skills, not luck. He was worth 1.5 fWAR, slashed .300/.358/.481, and had a wRC+ of 141 during the regular season, but then struggled in the playoffs. For many, that was a sign that it was just a fluke, and that he would regress significantly in 2026. But as of 4/3/26, he is batting .333 with two home runs, two singles, a double, a walk, and only two strikeouts in his first 15 at-bats. At the same time, Robles and Refsnider have gotten off to painfully slow starts at the plate.