All you need to know about what happened to Kolten Wong, who has been a massive letdown for the Seattle Mariners.
In December 2022, Seattle Mariners traded Jesse Winker, marking the end of a troubled season-long saga for the team. In return, the Mariners acquired Kolten Wong, a former Gold Glove-winning second baseman, from the Brewers. This move was expected to bolster the team, as Wong was seen as a reliable replacement for Adam Frazier in both offense and defense.
However, despite initial optimism and willingness to give Wong time to adjust, his performance has been far from satisfactory. In fact, he is currently enduring the worst season of his career, struggling both at the plate and in the field. The expectations for Wong’s defensive prowess, given his previous success with 13 and 17 defensive runs saved in 2018 and 2019, have not been met.
Instead, he has accumulated a career-low of -8 defensive runs saved in just 254.2 innings played this year. This decline in defensive performance has been a significant concern, particularly considering it worsened from the previous year.
Furthermore, Wong’s offensive contributions have been dismal. With a slash line of .177/.259/.208, he has a meager OPS of .468 and an OPS+ of 36, which are by far the worst of his career. His struggles are evident in various statistical categories, such as average exit velocity and hard-hit percentage, where he ranks in the bottom percentiles. These statistics reflect the difficulties Wong has faced, contributing to his overall struggles during the 2023 season.
When was Kolten Wong drafted into the MLB?
Kolten Wong entered the MLB when he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, chosen as the 22nd overall pick. He swiftly rose through the Cardinals’ minor league system and made his debut in the major leagues on August 16, 2013.
Kolten Wong was born on October 10, 1990, in Hilo, Hawaii. He attended Kamehameha Schools in Kea’au, Hawaii, where he played baseball and excelled as a multi-sport athlete. After graduating from high school, Wong went on to play college baseball at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He had an impressive collegiate career with the Rainbow Warriors, earning numerous accolades and establishing himself as one of the top players in the country.
Throughout his career, Wong established himself as a highly-skilled second baseman renowned for his exceptional defensive capabilities. His agility, range, and adeptness in turning double plays made him an invaluable asset on the field. Wong’s defensive prowess was acknowledged when he earned the prestigious Gold Glove Award in 2019, highlighting his excellence as a fielder.
Offensively, Wong showcased a combination of speed and contact-hitting skills. He consistently contributed to his team’s offense by making solid contact with the ball and utilizing his speed to steal bases. Wong had multiple seasons in which he recorded double-digit stolen bases, demonstrating his ability to disrupt pitchers and create scoring opportunities for his team.
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