Seattle Mariners: After Logan Gilbert, the M’s #2 Starter is…
Chris Phillips
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The Seattle Mariners’ pitching is again good overall, but the starters have struggled. They have an ace, Logan Gilbert, but who’s the team’s number two starting pitcher?
Overall, the Seattle Mariners’ pitching has been good, but their starters haven’t been quite as good as expected. Staff ace Logan Gilbert is off to a tremendous start this year and in his young career. Currently, 4-0, over 33 innings (6 starts), with 33 strikeouts to just 11 walks, allowing only 2 home runs, a 1.09 WHIP, and a 1.36 ERA.
He is having a breakout season, and what many experts thought he might do in the future, he’s doing right now in the present. It’s amazing for M’s fans to witness. Unfortunately, the rest of the starting staff hasn’t been able to match Gilbert’s start. So, this begs the question, “who’s the Seattle Mariners’ number two pitcher?”
Logan Gilbert, Filthy 87mph Slider. ?
And fist pump. pic.twitter.com/OCJGS1e2ZT
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 1, 2022
Let’s Meet the Contestants
Robbie Ray
The Seattle Mariners spent big money in the offseason to bring in reigning Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray. However, he hasn’t gotten off to the start Seattle was hoping and expecting. Well, maybe one guy had it right, but only time will tell.
After Tuesday’s win, Ray has a 3-3 record over 42.2 innings (7 starts), with 41 strikeouts to 15 walks, allowing 6 home runs, a 1.17 WHIP, and a 4.22 ERA. The biggest concern with him currently is his control issues are resurfacing, and his strikeout rate is not close to last year (11.5 to 8.6 strikeouts per 9 innings).
Marco Gonzales
Last year’s staff ace, Marco Gonzales, slots in behind Gilbert in the rotation. He’s off to yet another slow start in 2022. Currently, Gonzales is 1-4 over 25.1 innings (6 starts), with 17 strikeouts to 10 walks, allowing 8 home runs, a 1.62 WHIP, and a 3.91 ERA.
Gonzales did take an over 100 mph hit right off his left wrist in his start on April 27th but hasn’t missed his turn in the rotation. This “injury” may affect his ability to get strikeouts.
Chris Flexen
Chris Flexen is Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto’s poster child for reclamation projects. After returning from the Korean Baseball Organization in 2021, Flexen had the best season of his MLB career. There is no reason why he can’t repeat his success in 2022.
This year saw him get off to a rocky beginning. But since his start on April 16th, he’s back to his ‘21 version. Over 29 innings (5 starts), he’s 1-5, with 22 strikeouts to 10 walks, giving up 5 home runs, three quality starts, a 1.27 WHIP, and a 4.24 ERA. In short, Flexen has pitched well but hasn’t had much support from the Seattle Mariners offense.
The Winner is?…
Ray just narrowly edges out Flexing Flexen as the Seattle Mariners’ second-best starter. Some readers might ask about George Kirby. If the rookie can continue on the same path as his Major League debut, he’s easily the second-best starter. But it was only one start. The M’s need to see more of him
Just one start, so lots could change for him. But George Kirby has the best xwOBA (quality & quantity of contact allowed) among #Mariners SP's:
George Kirby – .289
Logan Gilbert – .317
Robbie Ray – .328
MLB xwOBA – .333
Chris Flexen – .377
Marco Gonzales – .409
Matt Brash – .430— Luke Arkins (@luke_arkins) May 9, 2022
Last year, Ray put all of his potential and skill together, proving he’s a quality top of the rotation arm. His numbers so far in 2022 are ok for a follow-up. The Seattle Mariners need him to come through with another quality season. It’s also possible after Flexen’s next start his case to be the team’s number two starter gets stronger.
Who do you think is the Seattle Mariners’ second-best starting pitcher? Let us know in the comments section below.