Diego Castillo, Seattle Mariners.
Every week, PNWS evaluates the Seattle Mariners, whose play is good (stock up) and not so good (stock down), based on their last seven days of performances. Then, we’ll add what insight we can provide or have learned. Here we go looking back at the week of 5/30-6/5.
Eugenio Suarez – Or En Fuego, as he has been this past week. Going 8/22, scoring 6 runs, 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 8 RBIs, 3 walks to 7 strikeouts for a .364 avg. The one knock on him is committed one error this week. But with this kind of offensive production, I can live with it.
Julio Rodriguez – JRod is getting better right before our very eyes. The New Kid went 7/23, scoring 3 runs, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 3 steals, 4 walks, and 6 strikeouts for a .304 average. He also called the area he patrols in the outfield a no-fly zone.
Catchers – Since Tom Murphy dislocated his shoulder, both Cal Raleigh and Luis Torrens were asked to step up. This week, they did just that. Combining to go 7/25, 4 runs, 1 double, 1 home run, 6 RBIs, and 8 strikeouts for a .280 average. If these two can continue to be this productive offensively it can allow the Seattle Mariners to not feel pressured to bring Murphy back too early.
Future Ace’s – George Kirby and Logan Gilbert these two youngsters carved up their opponents. Combing for 1 win, 2 home runs, 2 walks, 18 strikeouts, and 3 quality starts over 18 innings. Both of them had an ERA of 1.50. Gilbert had 1.00 WHIP, while Kirby had a .83 WHIP over his two starts. This just in, these guys are good.
Diego Castillo – After being on here a few weeks ago due to his disastrous outing, Castillo fired 3 scoreless innings this week. Earning 2 wins, striking out 6, for a 0 ERA, and a .33 WHIP. This kind of dominance can’t be kept up all season long but if he can be close to this more often it’ll be a big boost.
Penn Murfee – I’ve told my colleagues that I really like this kid. Then he proceeds to give up his first few runs. My feelings for him didn’t change. This week he pitched 2.1 innings, earning 1 win, walking 1, and striking out 3 for a 0 ERA and a .86 WHIP. Murfee, Castillo, and Paul Sewald are forming a strong bullpen.
Next: Page 2 – Bad Bats
Adam Frazier – Is currently in a bad slump. Making myself look silly for trading for him on my fantasy team a couple of weeks ago. Regardless, this week he went 2/22, scoring 2 runs, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts for a .091 average. He’ll get it turned around so no need to worry. Unfortunately, that sentiment doesn’t help right now as the Seattle Mariners are working hard to get their record over the .500 mark.
Middle Infielders – J.P. Crawford and Abraham Toro both of these players have only been back from injuries for a little bit. So, it’s a bit unfair to be putting them here in the stock down section as they may still be dealing with their respective injuries to a degree. However, that didn’t stop them from having bad weeks.
Crawford, went 4/24, scoring 4 runs, 1 double, home run, an RBI, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts for a .167 average. Toro says hold my beer, as he goes 2/19, scoring 2 runs, 1 triple, RBI, and walk, and 3 strikeouts for a .105 average. If Toro wants to make a case for my playing time it would behoove him to take advantage of Frazier’s current slump.
Bottom line, two of these three guys need to pick up their offense to help out Ty France, and the aforementioned Rodriguez and Suarez. Right now those three guys are doing the heavy lifting for the Seattle Mariners offense.
Next: Page 3 – Bad Arms
Sergio Romo – My colleague Joe Swenson calls him Sergio Oh No because it means the opponents are about to be scoring some runs. And boy did he allow the runs. In just 1.2 innings he served up 4(!) home runs, walked 1, and struck out 1 for an impressively terrible 37.80 ERA and a 4.20 WHIP.
Matthew Festa – Well if Swenson’s guy is Romo, my guy is Festa. Every time I’m watching him pitch he’s always aiding the opponent’s offense. This week is no different. In fact in just one less out, 1.1 innings, he struck out 2, and earned 1 hold, for a 20.25 ERA and a .75 WHIP. Coincidently, both Festa and Romo were obliterated by Baltimore hitters.
The other Starting Pitchers – So, the other two members of the starting rotation, Chris Flexen, and Robbie Ray, both were not good this past week. If you’re wondering about Marco Gonzales, he was good again. Back to Flexen, he pitched 5 innings, walking 1, and striking out 3 for a 5.40 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP.
Not to be out down, Ray also pitched 5 innings, serving up 1 home run, walking 3, and striking out 6, for a 7.20 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP. It is looking more and more like both of these guys’ 2021 seasons were mirages. Both of these guys’ season-long numbers are closer to their career numbers. Come trade deadline don’t be surprised if the Seattle Mariners are looking at acquiring some starters.