Mike Zunino is an easy guy to root for at least. In college, he excelled on both sides of the ball en route to his selection as the 3rd overall pick by the Mariners in the 2012 draft, which created some assurance that a hodgepodge of a catching crew would finally be solidified. That may have also accelerated his minor league career though, limiting him to fewer than 300 PA between AA and AAA before making his MLB debut.
That rush to the majors drew the ire of fans as Zunino struggled offensively and couldn’t seem to turn it around, but some keen adjustments, particularly to low and away pitches, during the 2016 season helped resurrect his status.