Few players in contemporary Toronto Blue Jays history have ever arrived with the pure, high-velocity emotional intensity of Brett Lawrie. Originating from Langley, British Columbia, the former junior national team star bore the significant burden of being a home-grown Canadian prospect. Drafted sixteenth overall by Milwaukee in 2008, he was transferred to Toronto in a major trade, directly exchanging him for starting pitcher Shaun Marcum in December 2010. Transitioning from second base to the hot corner, Lawrie's highly aggressive style and unwavering energy immediately captivated a fan base eager for a dynamic spark plug.

His debut in late 2011 was overwhelmingly impressive. Skipping the usual rookie period, he posted a remarkable .293 batting average with nine home runs over just 43 games. He rode that momentum into a much-anticipated 2012 season, which marked the pinnacle of his Major League career.

In 2012, Lawrie's sophomore season showcased exceptional defense and high-leverage plays. He played third base with a fearless, aggressive approach, leading American League third basemen with 15 Total Zone Runs and earning the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. Offensively, he posted career-best stats with 135 hits, 26 doubles, and three triples, along with a solid .729 OPS. Known for his spectacular plays at Rogers Centre, his intensely physical style also took a significant toll on his body.

Lawrie spent two additional seasons at third base in Toronto but never quite matched his breakout year's offensive and defensive performance. Ongoing injuries like severe oblique strains, ankle problems, and hand injuries repeatedly limited his playtime, diminishing his quickness in the field and affecting his batting rhythm. His natural energy—sometimes leading to well-known, high-stakes disputes with umpires and teammates—made him a divisive yet memorable figure on the field.

His chapter in Canada ended abruptly in November 2014 when the front office traded Lawrie to Oakland for Josh Donaldson, a move that proved highly successful as Donaldson won the AL MVP in 2015 and helped the Blue Jays reach the postseason. Lawrie's career was cut short by injuries after brief stints in Oakland and Chicago before turning 27.

Lawrie had 345 hits, 61 doubles, 43 home runs, and 139 RBIs as a Blue Jay, with a .265/.315/426 line (101 OPS+). He used his aggressive range to achieve a 5.7 dWAR.

When Zach Eflin became a free agent after the 2022 season, he was widely respected across the league as a reliable mid-rotation pitcher who had spent seven years overcoming recurring knee issues in Philadelphia. Eager to help him reach his full potential, the Tampa Bay Rays made a bold move in the open market, offering him a three-year, $40 million deal — the largest free-agent contract guaranteed to an outside player in franchise history. Eflin quickly showed his appreciation for this incredible show of faith by delivering what is truly the standout performance of his career.

Entering the forefront of the St. Petersburg rotation in 2023, Eflin effectively managed opposing batters through a combination of immaculate control and an elite, substantial sinker. He pitched a career-high 177.2 innings over 31 starts, establishing himself as a leading workhorse for Kevin Cash. He led the entire American League with 16 wins and complemented this traditional success with remarkable efficiency, ultimately finishing sixth in the AL Cy Young Award voting. In an organization globally recognized for its pitching development, Eflin swiftly developed into a trusted leader within the pitching staff.

He returned in 2024 to provide another highly durable, frontline baseline, logging 19 starts and maintaining a crisp 4.09 ERA over 110 innings through the first four months of the summer. However, with the ballclub fading out of the postseason picture and operating with an eye toward future payroll flexibility, the front office adhered to its signature long-term playbook. Prior to the July trade deadline, the Rays traded the veteran right-hander to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for a trio of prospects.

As a Ray, Eflin made 50 appearances (all starts). He compiled a stellar 21–15 record with a 3.72 ERA and an immaculate 1.08 WHIP, striking out 271 batters against just 37 walks over 287.2 innings pitched.

A college standout at Florida State, Taylor Walls didn't have to travel far when the Tampa Bay Rays grabbed him with their third-round pick in 2017. Since making his big-league debut in 2021, the versatile infielder has given the club masterclass defense wherever he is plugged into the dirt, bouncing effortlessly between second base, third base, and shortstop. While his offensive baseline has historically leaned toward the lighter side, his premier glove is an absolute game-changer that routinely forces him into Kevin Cash's plans.

That defensive genius was on full display in 2022 when Walls led all of the American League with a massive 2.8 defensive bWAR. He backed up those defensive instincts during an injury-shortened 2024 campaign, leading all American League shortstops with 15 total zone runs above average despite logging just over 620 innings at the position. For Walls, his value has always been built on preventing runs rather than driving them in.

The 2025 season provided a highly encouraging step forward. Appearing in 101 games, Walls turned in the most offensively productive stretch of his career. While his baseline approach remained patient, he lifted his batting average to a personal-best .220 and drove in a career-high 38 RBIs, fueled by a scorching hot June in which he delivered 17 RBIs—the most by any Rays shortstop in a single month in nearly four years. He paired that offensive bump with 14 stolen bases and another 2.5 bWAR season before a late-summer groin strain prematurely ended his campaign in August.

As the Rays look toward the horizon of the upcoming 2026 season, Walls stands as the projected anchor of the Tampa Bay infield.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists and consistently look to update them when necessary and based on necessity. As such, we are delighted to present our post-2024 revision of our top 50 Seattle Mariners.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball, we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the American League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles that are not reflected in a stat sheet.

Please note that our algorithm has changed, which yielded minor changes throughout the baseball lists.

Last year, the Mariners rocketed to a hits tart, but faltered in the second half and did not make the playoffs.  The season would still see three new entrants and some elevations.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes

1. Ken Griffey Jr.

2. Edgar Martinez

3. Ichiro Suzuki

4. Felix Hernandez

5. Randy Johnson

You can find the entire list here.

Outfielder Julio Rodriguez rocketed up from #35 to #20.

Shortstop J.P. Crawford moved to #26 from #31.

Pitcher Logan Gilbert is the highest debut at #37.

Catcher Cal Raleigh enters at #39.

The third new entrant is Pitcher George Kirby, who comes in at #45.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.