Pair of Former Seattle Mariners on Doorstop of World Series – USFTB

October 21, 2026 2 Min Read

The Tampa Bay Rays are just one win away from the World Series after beating the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 at Progressive Field on Sunday afternoon.

If the Rays do get to the World Series, it will be their first appearance in the Fall Classic since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. They’ve never won the World Series.

With the Rays knocking on the door, that means a pair of former Seattle Mariners are also knocking on the door: Pitcher Casey Legumina and infielder Ben Williamson.

Now 29 years old, Legumina was an eighth-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Gonzaga. He made his major league debut in 2023 with the Cincinnati Reds and came to the Mariners in 2025.

With Seattle, he made 48 appearances in 2025, going 4-6 with a 5.62 ERA. Though his ERA was unsightly, he was better than his numbers indicated, as he had a FIP of 4.38. He struck out 55 batters in 49.2 innings, flashing high-end velocity and a good slider.

However, he struggled out of the gate for the Mariners in 2026, going 0-1 with a 4.63 ERA in 11.2 innings. Because he was out of options, he had to be designated for assignment and he was traded to the Rays. With Tampa, he was 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in 47 games. He struck out 46 batters in 60.0 innings.

He is not on the ALCS roster and has not appeared in a playoff game.

A second-round pick of the Mariners in 2023 out of William and Mary, Williamson debuted in 2025. A light-hitter who is also a solid defender, he played in 85 games for the M’s at third base, hitting .253 with just a .604 OPS. He was sent down to the minor leagues once the Mariners acquired Eugenio Suarez at the trade deadline.

There was a thought that he would be the starting third baseman in 2026, but the Mariners traded him as part of the three-team trade that netted them Brendan Donovan right before spring training.

Williamson played in 88 games for the Rays, hitting .238 with three home runs. He didn’t grade as highly on the defensive side of things, but he was a useful utility piece for Tampa, and he made an excellent play at second base in Sunday’s win.