The Husky Haul
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Washington Baseball alum Braden Bishop called up

By Herbert Nightingale

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 26: Omar Narvaez #22 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after scoring off a groundout to fielders choice by Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners in the eleventh inning to defeat the Texas Rangers 5-4 during their game at T-Mobile Park on April 26, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 26: Omar Narvaez #22 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after scoring off a groundout to fielders choice by Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners in the eleventh inning to defeat the Texas Rangers 5-4 during their game at T-Mobile Park on April 26, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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On Wednesday, April 30, the Seattle Mariners called up former Washington baseball star outfielder Braden Bishop from Triple-A Tacoma

Braden Bishop, a former standout with Washington baseball, was called up to replace outfielder Mallex Smith, who had been struggling both on the field and at the plate. Bishop, a third-round pick out of UW in 2015, is an excellent defender and now just needs to prove he can hit.

Bishop will never be considered a power hitter, however, in 2017 he hit 34 doubles between high A and Double-A. He began 2018 in Double-A, where he was named Player of the Month in June. It looked like the Mariners would promote him to Triple-A Tacoma, but in July he was hit on the forearm and missed the rest of the season.

Despite the injury, the Mariners felt that Bishop was ready enough to be added to the 40-man roster before spring training. Bishop had such a good spring that the Mariners had him on the roster when the team went to Japan to open the season against the Oakland A’s. The Mariners were allowed to have 28 players to start the season in Japan but they had to cut down to 25 when they returned to Seattle to play the Boston Red Sox. Bishop was one of the three who got sent to Tacoma.

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When the Mariners recalled him on April 30th, he had a .267 through 21 games, with seven doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI’s. At least until the Mariners feel Mallex Smith is ready to return, Bishop should be playing a lot of baseball in Seattle. Expect him to be used as a defensive replacement early on, but he could see more time as the season progresses. He’s an important player for the Mariners plans for the future, and they feel like he’s ready for the Show.

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