PEORIA, Ariz. — Among all the things Kyle Seager learned as a big-leaguer last season, the most important was remembering to be himself.

Seager watched how the top big-league hitters went about their business.

"The best hitters, they know what they are," said Seager, who vaulted to the majors last season with only a few weeks of Class AAA experience. "They don't try to do things that aren't them. If they're power guys, they figure out how to hit for power consistently. Average-double-guys, they figure out how to do that. A guy who can run a little bit, they figure out how to do more with that. They know what they are and they've gotten very consistent doing what they do."

Seager knows exactly what type of hitter he wants to be, with no plans to change: someone who can hit for average with doubles-type power, but not a home run bopper.

The challenge for the Mariners is to figure out exactly what he is as a fielder.

And until they do, his chances of sticking with the major-league squad this spring could be limited.

Seager came up as a second baseman, though the presence of Dustin Ackley caused the squad to convert him to third base. That worked out last year when Chone Figgins struggled and then got hurt.

But Figgins now is healthy and the team has indicated he will get the bulk of the playing time at third base. That leaves Seager looking to be the backup at multiple positions, including third base, shortstop and second.

"They've kind of prepared me for everything," he said. "I've been preparing to play multiple positions."

Trouble is, several other players have as well. The Mariners have veterans Carlos Guillen and Luis Rodriguez capable of playing the infield corners while Japanese import Munenori Kawasaki is looking to handle the middle infield backup work.

All are on minor-league deals, but if one or two impress this spring, Seager could be out of luck. Teams generally prefer their younger prospects to play every day — or at least four or five times per week — and they'll send them to the minors if that can't be arranged.

To get Seager that type of playing time, he'd have to at least win the backup third base job and then look for a game or two per week behind Ackley at second and Brendan Ryan at shortstop. That will be tough if either Guillen or Kawasaki makes the squad.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge said assuring Seager — who hit .258 with a .691 on-base-plus-slugging percentage last season — gets decent playing time could factor into whether he makes the team.

"We'll take that into consideration," Wedge said. "Like I said, we're going to play him at second base, we're going to play him at third base. We're going to give him a good look here.

"He gained some invaluable experience, but having said that, he's come up here in a hurry. He didn't get a great deal of minor-league time. He's a good hitter. He's a student of the game. And he's continuing to work hard to understand the game even that much better at this level."

Seager continued to learn about the finer aspects of playing third base on Monday, taking part in a rundown drill in which multiple scenarios and positioning was explored. The Mariners have discussed making him a "super-utility" type of player, but they're already doing that with Figgins to some extent.

There's also the possibility the team could eventually shift Seager back to his natural second base spot and move Ackley to an outfield job, like he had in college. But that won't happen this year and there's little point even thinking about doing it until Seager shows he can hit consistently.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said the team will find a spot for Seager if he shows he's ready this spring. But there's a big gap to bridge. Last season, Seager posted inconsistent numbers but had one very big series in Cleveland with six extra-base hits.

Seager harbors zero hopes of becoming a home run hitter. He knows better than that.

"I'm not a power hitter by any means," he said. "So, you just kind of know what you are and don't try to do too much and be someone you're not."

Seager might know exactly who he is, but the next stage in his big-league career might have to wait until the Mariners figure out who a bunch of other players are first.

Notes

• Wedge told reporters Monday he had no news to report about the team's leadoff situation, one day after saying he'd announce something in a couple of days. Wedge said the team is exploring a number of options and still needs to talk to players involved, namely Ichiro, who is expected to be moved out of his leadoff role.

• Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma drew a large throng of spectators and media when he threw live batting practice for the first time Monday. Hitters tracked pitches against Iwakuma, but did not swing.

Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @gbakermariners.