The Seattle Mariners have kicked off October by claiming first baseman/outfielder Michael Toglia off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. The 28-year-old switch-hitter missed a significant portion of the 2026 season due to a dislocated right shoulder sustained during a diving catch. During preparations for surgery, doctors discovered a torn labrum, necessitating season-ending surgery after just 10 games with Cincinnati.
Toglia was highly regarded coming out of Gig Harbor High School in 2016 and again after an impressive collegiate career at UCLA. The Colorado Rockies selected him 23rd overall in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft following a strong .307/.410/.573 batting line and excellent defensive work at first base. Standing 6’5″, Toglia’s athleticism drew comparisons to prospects like Evan White, with many expecting him to expand his versatility by playing some outfield, given that his skill set seemed wasted solely at first base.
While his minor league progress mirrored some of White’s struggles, Toglia’s strikeout rate surged to around 30%, despite impressive home run numbers before his MLB debut in 2022. His debut season was tough, and he has struggled to find consistency since, posting a .198/.275/.384 line with 42 home runs over 1,095 plate appearances—a .286 weighted on-base average (wOBA) that raises concerns. Notably, almost all of his career has been spent at hitter-friendly Coors Field, except for the brief stint with Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark, yet these favorable environments haven’t translated to solid production. Combined with defensive challenges roaming the spacious Coors outfield and subpar first base defense, Toglia ranks worst in MLB in wins above replacement (WAR) at -3.5 since 2020.
So, why did Seattle decide to pick him up?
Toglia’s profile is somewhat akin to that of former Rockies outfielder/first baseman Nolan Jones, who the Mariners acquired in the Luis Castillo trade with Chicago. Both players share skillsets that overlap with those of current Mariners Luke Raley and Lazaro Montes—players who have shown greater success in the majors so far. Additionally, after a midseason demotion in 2024, Toglia’s adjustments made a marked improvement, with his Baseball Savant metrics indicating significant promise.
Toglia boasts enormous raw power and has shortened his swing over the last couple of seasons, acknowledging he doesn’t require huge swings to make an impact. His swing length has aligned with league averages, while his bat speed and hard-hit rates rank among the best. He doesn’t chase pitches excessively, and most of his strikeouts come from his selectivity and patient approach that naturally raise his strikeout numbers. Given this profile, he resembles Luke Raley from the left side of the plate and Mitch Garver from the right.
Still, Toglia has yet to translate these tools into consistent major league success. His best season, which included the swing adjustments in 2024, peaked at a 99 wRC+ with 25 home runs and 10 steals over 116 games and 458 plate appearances. Seattle likely sees the potential for him to become a solid big-league contributor. Jerry Dipoto, known for giving former top 100 prospects opportunities, has given Toglia a chance. For Toglia to capitalize, however, he must improve his in-zone contact rate without the advantage of playing in some of the most hitter-friendly parks in baseball.
Fan Take: This move is exciting because it shows the Mariners’ commitment to unearthing hidden talent and betting on players with untapped potential. Toglia’s progression, if successful, could become a compelling story of perseverance and skill refinement, adding depth and intrigue to the evolving landscape of the game.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
