Mariners' Julio Rodriguez predicted as 'late bloomer' MVP candidate

May 4, 2026 - 20:00

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Mariners' Julio Rodriguez predicted as 'late bloomer' MVP candidate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez often slumps his way through April, only to heat up at the plate in May and June.

Fans of the AL West club are hoping that's the case again this year, as Rodriguez managed a .755 OPS with just two home runs last month.

Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer believes there's a big breakout coming for the three-time All-Star, despite noting his early struggles.

"The whole first half just isn't his jam, at least not when compared to the second half. For his career, he has a .738 OPS for the former and a .902 OPS for the latter," Rymer wrote Monday. "On a year-to-year basis, he's basically a late bloomer as an MVP candidate."

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In the previous seven days, Rodriguez hit .346/.346/.731 with six RBIs.

"His .336 OBP is a new personal best through the first 35 games of a season, and that can mostly be traced back to more controlled at-bats," Rymer added. "His overall swing rate is down nearly four percent from last year, and he's done a fine job of using the whole field."

The highest Rodriguez has finished in the AL MVP voting was fourth in 2023. It'll be tough to beat out Aaron Judge and Yordan Alvarez for first place, but a scorching hot summer could put him in the conversation.