Willie Bloomquist – Seattle Mariners
Another veteran Mariner, Willie Bloomquist has been in the bigs forever. The former ASU Sun Devil and third round pick (1999), Bloomquist made his debut with Seattle in 2002, putting up as big of numbers as you can in only 45 at-bats. The infielder hit .455 over 12 games with four doubles, seven RBI and three stolen bases, setting unrealistically gaudy expectations for 2003 and beyond.
Bloomquist remained in Seattle through 2008 but never exploded like many hoped and elected for a 2-year deal with Kansas City, where he played in 2009 and 2010 until the Reds acquired him in mid-September 2010. His Reds career was brief, appearing in only 11 games down the stretch and swapped teams again during the 2010-11 offseason, signing with Arizona, spending three adequate seasons with the Diamondbacks.
Many lost track of Bloomquist following the 2013 season but he signed a modest 2-year contract with his hometown Mariners and has flirted with a near .300 average over 47 appearances.
Photo Courtesy: Brad Rempel/USA Today Sports
