The Seattle Mariners beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-3 on Sunday afternoon at the Peoria Sports Complex, improving to a still-disappointing 6-16 this spring.
While the M’s haven’t been great from a win-loss standpoint, it’s hard to judge them considering so many of the team’s top players have been gone for the World Baseball Classic.
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One guy who hasn’t been gone, and who has performed, is utility man Brendan Donovan. Acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason for prospects Jurrangelo Cijntje, Tai Peete and a Comp B draft pick, Donovan went 4-for-4 with three RBIs on Sunday. He’s now hitting .452 this spring and is expected to be a major part of the lineup when the regular season begins on March 26.
Now 29 years old, Donovan is a four-year veteran of the Cardinals. He hit .287 in 2025 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs while posting a .353 on-base percentage and a 119 OPS+. He was also named an All-Star for the first time in his career and was a finalist for the Silver Slugger. He’s a career .282 hitter who had only a 13.0 percent strikeout rate last season, something the M’s are hoping to improve upon in 2026.
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He has two years left of team control and can play all over the diamond, though he figures to begin the year at third base. He’s also expected to be the team’s leadoff hitter, lengthening the lineup and forcing Randy Arozarena back into a run producing spot behind Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor. He’ll also help mitigate the loss of Jorge Polanco, who signed a two-year deal with the New York Mets this offseason.
Seattle Mariners second baseman Brendan Donovan (33) bats against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Peoria Sports Complex. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
We had Cardinals broadcaster Chip Caray on the ‘Refuse to Lose’ podcast back in February, and here’s what he said about Donovan:
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“You guys are going to love him. You know, my daughter just got married, but if she was single and wanted to date a baseball player and he was single, he’s exactly the kind of guy I would want my daughter to hang out with. Fantastic family guy. A military kid, was born in West Germany. His dad was in the army, I believe. Brendan does a lot of work with police officers and men and women in uniform.
He’s a grinder. He’s always in the right place at the right time. He knows how to play. He is probably mad at himself if he doesn’t come off the field and his uniform isn’t dirty. He has a blue collar, hard work ethic that I think every fan, and certainly those in Seattle will admire. And the fact that he’s so versatile and can play a lot of different positions defensively is going to give Dan Wilson a lot of options. He can lead off, he’s not going to hit for a ton of power, but he’s a doubles machine.
He’s an adequate runner. He’s got a very strong and accurate arm. And he’s a guy that’s just not afraid. I think he’s a perfect fit for where the Mariners are and where they needed to go. He doesn’t have to be the guy, but he’s going to do a great job of setting up the table for the Julio Rodriguez’s and Cal Raleighs of your organization. And he’s going to give you everything he’s got defensively, whether it’s at second base, the outfield, or occasionally at third base.”
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