Seattle Mariners: Arms race to fill out starting rotation
The Mariners have one of the best farm systems in the game. Gilbert came up from the minors last season and staked his claim to a spot in the rotation. Even with his departure, the cupboard of highly regarded starter prospects is hardly bare. Four players top the list.
George Kirby
Seattle used a first round pick to select George Kirby from Elon College. Right now that’s looking like a good choice. He is the organization’s fourth-ranked prospect and is rapidly climbing through M’s minor league system. In 2021 Kirby pitched at High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas, posting a combined 2.53 ERA and 1.079 WHIP.
Kirby has all the tools which include a triple-digit heater. His control continues to improve as experience catches up to his raw talent. Scouts love the way Kirby fools hitters with his changeup. The 23-year-old also throws a decent curveball and slider. One day he’ll be a top of the rotation guy, but for 2022, a spot in the bottom could work nicely as a stepping stone.
George Kirby is through 4IP, 1H, 0R, BB, 5K, 66-46. pic.twitter.com/GXdquqeUMF
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) September 19, 2021
Emerson Hancock
Another year, another college pitcher goes in the first round to Seattle. The M’s chose University of Georgia pitcher Emerson Hancock with the sixth overall pick in 2020. Due to the pandemic, last year was his first minor league season and that was cut short by shoulder issues.
When he did pitch last season, Hancock looked great. Maybe that has to do with the toolbox he has. Hancock throws two different fastballs that have their own break. He mixes those up with an outstanding curve and a slider that he uses as an out pitch. That probably won’t get him to the Bigs out of spring training because of the inexperience but he’ll make a run at it.
Matt Brash
Of all the M’s young pitchers, Matt Brash might have the best shot at making the team this spring. Not bad for someone Dipoto got as a player to be named later in the 2020 deal that sent Taylor Williams to San Diego in 2020.
Brash, like Kirby and Hancock, split the season between Everett and Arkansas. The difference is that he excelled more than the others after his promotion. The Canadian import has a 95 MPH fastball, with great movement that will get him to the Majors one day. He used it to strike out 13.1 batters per 9 innings in 2021. His control needs work as does his secondary pitches.
Juan Then
With all the big names in the system, Juan Then tends to get overlooked. He is on the Mariners’ 40-man roster, so a call means they don’t need to place someone on waivers to clear a spot for him. But it would be a huge jump for Then to reach the Majors this season. He didn’t pitch well at High-A Evertt and then got blown up in the Arizona Fall League.
Then has a plus fastball, clocked at a high of 99 MPH. His slider is pretty good too. To be a legit MLB pitcher, Juan Then needs to develop a dependable third pitch. He throws a changeup but it’s a work in progress.
Related Story: Setting expectations for Kelenic in 2022
Where do you think the Seattle Mariners’ fifth and sixth starters will come for? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.