PEORIA, Ariz. -- Mitch Haniger likes the way things have started out this spring in Mariners camp. And the Mariners liked the way Haniger kick-started his own season Friday at chilly Peoria Stadium.

Haniger launched a two-run homer to left-center in his first at-bat as the Mariners rolled to an 8-1 victory over the A’s in their first complete game of the spring. Add in the five runs in the first two innings Thursday before rain wiped out their opener, and the Mariners racked up 13 runs and 20 hits in their first 10 innings of Cactus League play against the A’s.

“First day, I don’t expect much,” Haniger said after homering and drawing a walk in two plate appearances in his debut Friday. “I’m just trying to swing at good pitches; that’s all you can ask of yourself. Luckily I barreled a good one up in the zone and it went over the fence.

“It’s all downhill from there,” he said with a smile. “It’s tough to top that.”

After Dee Gordon drew a leadoff walk, Haniger’s homer brought a little warmth to a Mariners dugout huddled in unseasonable 47-degree cold.

“Dee walks, Hanny homers. That’ll work,” said Kyle Seager, who had a double and single in his own two at-bats.

Haniger stands at the heart of Seattle’s reworked roster, as general manager Jerry Dipoto labeled him as one of the key core pieces going forward while former stars Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Jean Segura and others were dispatched for young prospects and future payroll flexibility.

Haniger, who earned his first American League All-Star berth and posted Seattle’s highest WAR last year at age 27, has embraced the youth movement around him.

“It’s been good. I love the energy,” Haniger said. “The young guys seem really eager to learn and get better. I’ve been really impressed with some of these guys. You wouldn’t think some of them were in High-A last year.

“We even have a guy who was drafted last year who is in the room -- the catcher Cal [Raleigh] really impressed me. I saw his live BP and he was crushing balls. That’s pretty cool for those guys. I would always just say to talk to the older guys, that’s always what I did, just try to gain as much info as I could and see if their approach or philosophy works for you.”

Haniger isn’t one of the “older guys” just yet, but he’s certainly a player worth modeling. A late bloomer to the big leagues, Haniger has turned himself into one of MLB’s rising stars by transforming his swing and approach through hard work and an analytical approach.

Manager Scott Servais sat down and picked Haniger’s brain last season about his approach and the Mariners wound up hiring new hitting coach Tim Laker, who worked with Haniger in past offseasons, as well as other assistants who are helping introduce more data about swing paths and how to keep the bat level and in the hitting zone as long as possible for any hitters who are interested.

“They’re doing a really good job in the meetings talking about what we should be accomplishing every day and having a goal,” Haniger said. “Our hitters’ meetings have more in-depth approach and scouting reports this year. That’s pretty cool to see. I’m a big fan of all that stuff.

“Some guys don’t like all the information and you have to figure out if that’s your thing or not. I know for me, I love as much info as I can get on the opposing pitcher or team. Some guys like to keep it simple. Some guys can swim in their own head if they have too much info and can’t separate it when they go in the box. You just have to figure out what works for you.”

It’s all been working for Haniger lately as he hit .285/.366/.493 with 38 doubles, 26 home runs and 93 RBIs last year. And one Cactus League game into 2019, he’s showing no signs of letting up.