CLEVELAND — Catcher Mike Zunino’s hot start at Triple-A Tacoma is already prompting questions regarding a possible promotion back to the big-league club.
Not so fast.
Yes, the Mariners have noticed. Manager Scott Servias monitors the Rainiers as part of his duties (other coaches have that responsibility for other affiliates). And he and others are fully aware of Zunino’s hefty production.
“He’s having a good week,” Servais said. “Good for him. This is what he needs to get some confidence back and feel good about himself. I’ve talked to a few people who have seen him recently.
“The big thing that both of those people said to me is he’s having fun. I think that says a lot. As much as he struggled here the last couple of years, it has to be fun and enjoyable going to the park … it’s nice to get some results.”
Zunino, 25, was picked Monday as the Pacific Coast League’s player of the week for April 7-17 and then went out and hit two more homers and drove in four more runs.
Entering Tuesday’s game at El Paso (Padres), Zunino was batting .447 (17-for-38) with six homers and 15 RBI in nine games. Asked whether Zunino might be in a line for a recall, Servais said: “We won’t see him tomorrow.”
And laughed.
The point is clear. Nothing has changed; the Mariners still see this season as a development year for a catcher who turtled against big-league pitching, they believed, because he was promoted too quickly by the previous administration.
Zunino batted .193 (with a .252 on-base percentage) in 295 big-league games from 2013-15, which is why the Mariners moved to acquire Chris Iannetta and Steve Clevenger through off-season trades.
“It needs to be a process for (Zunino),” Servais said. “And if he does take an 0-for-10, how is he responding to that? … But Mike needed to get off to a good start, which he did. Have success and (experience) confidence-building.
“It’s really, really good for him. And for us.”
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