Mariners' Julio Rodriguez doing everything he can to shut up the haters

Billy Heyen

Mariners' Julio Rodriguez doing everything he can to shut up the haters image

Julio Rodriguez is, for whatever reason, one of those players.

He's a guy that a segment of the Seattle Mariners fanbase loves to hate.

He's also one of the best players in baseball, and sometimes, the hate is probably a bit much.

Take this reality: Rodriguez leads all MLB centerfielders in Fangraphs' Wins Above Replacement this season.

Check out the leaderboard:

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Rodriguez has the occasional blunder on the bases, sure.

And maybe he strikes out now and again.

But his overall skillset is incredible, and he's still only 24 years old.

Conceptually, Rodriguez isn't even in his prime yet.

So maybe it's time for the haters to quiet down.

Julio is special, and he likely will be for a long time.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle