The Ty France period is over. On Sunday, the Seattle Mariners positioned the previous All-Star on waivers, opening the door for prospect Tyler Locklear to take over on a regular basis duties at first base.
France has struggled this season, recording eight house runs and 31 RBI whereas batting .224/.313/.351 in 339 plate appearances. The 29-year-old, who can refuse project to the minors, might be headed for the open market, as he is unlikely to be claimed by one other group incomes $6.7 million this season.
The selection to maneuver on from France is a bitter tablet to swallow however one that will have been a very long time coming.
It has been a tough 2024 for the six-year veteran, who was batting .224/.313/.351 with eight house runs and 31 RBI (339 plate appearances). Nonetheless, since receiving his first All-Star nod in 2022, France has recorded 20 homers and 89 RBI by his final 245 video games (1,004 plate appearances), slashing .242/.329/.361.
With France within the rearview, 2022 second-round choose Tyler Locklear, known as up on Sunday, will get an opportunity to fill the void at first base. Although, this would possibly not be his first style of main league ball.
Locklear spent roughly two weeks with the large membership in June however, for probably the most half, failed to seek out his groove. Over 32 plate appearances, the 23-year-old batted .200/.250/.433 with 12 strikeouts and just one stroll.
Nonetheless, Locklear showcased energy in the course of the brief stint, smashing two of his six hits out of the yard.
Locklear is the sixth-ranked prospect within the Mariners system, in line with MLB.com. In 71 minor league video games with Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma, he slashed .283/.389/.504 with 44 RBI, 34 extra-base hits and 12 house runs.