Christmas in May, Seattle Mariners to start Logan Gilbert on Thursday
Chris Phillips
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Heralded Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Logan Gilbert makes his Major League debut Thursday night, The additions of him and Jarred Kelenic make it seem like Christmas in May.
It’s Christmas in……May? Sure, why not. Everyone loves getting gifts to open on Christmas morning. The Seattle Mariners are getting two BIG presents on Thursday. The organization’s top-hitting prospect Jarred Kelenic and pitching prospect Logan Gilbert arrive in Seattle Thursday night to make their Major League debuts.
Mariners fans have been clamoring for these two players to get the call up for weeks and months. Some wanted Kelenic to make the major league club right out of spring training. Gilbert got less time in spring training than others but that was probably due to the M’s setting their rotation including the battle between Justin Dunn and Nick Margevicius for the sixth slot.
Gilbert got just one start at Triple-A Tacoma. He squared off against San Diego’s affiliate who was starting their top pitching prospect, Mackenzie Gore. The M’s future ace pitched five innings of one-run ball, striking out five and only allowing four hits. In that game, Gilbert looked like the Mariners’ number one pitching prospect. Unlike, Gore who gave up three runs, walked three, and struck out three.
Right time, right place
A combination of Gilbert’s strong performance and several injuries to the M’s starting pitchers are the reason Gilbert is getting an earlier than expected call to the Majors. At this point, it’s unclear how long Gilbert will go in his debut. It’s feasible to think that if he is efficient, Gilbert can go at least six innings.
However, it’s more logical to think that he probably pitches five innings or less. Pitching in Triple-A is different than pitching in the Big Leagues. Cue Kevin Costner’s scene in Bull Durham where he’s talking about being in The Show. Some good fortune for Gilbert is that he’s facing off against the Cleveland Indians who don’t have a high-powered offense.
In fact, they are tied with the Seattle Mariners in team batting average at .208. The Indians have also scored five fewer runs than the Mariners. All this is to say that Gilbert is taking the rubber in a favorable spot. Good coaches put their players in positions to succeed. This start is about as optimal as possible.
Waiting for Kelenic and Gilbert to arrive in the Emerald City has been the longest Christmas Eve in history. Now, Christmas Eve is finally over, and Christmas day is finally here. If everything goes according to plan, in regard to the projection of both Kelenic and Gilbert, Thursday is going to be a date that will go down in Mariners history. Quite possibly right behind Ken Griffey Jr.‘s MLB debut.
Related Story: Jarred Kelenic reaches The Show
What do you think about the Seattle Mariners bringing up Kelenic and Gilbert? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.