Jesse Winker, Seattle Mariners.
Every week PNWS will provide their evaluation of the Seattle Mariners whose play is good (stock up) and not so good (stock down), based on their last seven days of performances. We’ll add what insight we can provide or have learned. If you want an update on players who are hurt you can view their latest updates here. So, without any more rambling, here we go looking back at the week of 5/2-5/8.
Jarred Kelenic – He had a very curious week. Kelenic played in the first three games of the week (going hitless), then received back-to-back games on the bench (only to pinch-hit a home run against Tampa Bay), and then started the last two games of the Tampa Bay Series.
For the week he hit .200 with 2 runs scored, 1 home run, 2 RBI, 1 stolen base (should have been two if the umpires weren’t blind), 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Most importantly, both his stance and swing are different. So far the results are very positive.
Ty France – Mr. Consistent. France hit .276, scoring 1 run, 1 RBI (walk-off variety), a walk, and 2 strikeouts. He’s doing what he does best. The only negative on him is his current power outage.
France is now up to 13 games without a single extra-base hit. Granted, his walk-off hit would have most likely been a double if it wasn’t a game-winner. However, if “If’s and But’s were candy and nuts, then we’d all have a Merry Christmas.”
Julio Rodriguez – JRod has been in a very good groove. The prized rookie only had two games where he failed to get a hit. He’s still striking out more than walking but his batting eye is developing nicely and he’s been an excellent center fielder. The power numbers aren’t too far away either.
Jesse Winker – The Seattle Mariners traded for winker with the expectation that he’d be a reliable left-handed power bat. He’s currently sitting on a single home run for the year, which was hit this past week. Last week he hit .192, scoring 2 runs, with 2 doubles, 1 RBI, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts.
Eugenio Suarez – Suarez is the other player Seattle got from Cincinnati along with Winker. Billed as another power bat but from the right side of the plate. He certainly lived up to his power reputation, socking 3 home runs, with 6 RBIs, 4 runs scored, and 10 strikeouts,
Suarez put up those numbers all while hitting .167. This is a perfect example of the type of hitter he’s been over the last couple of years. He is Mr. Three True Outcomes.
Robbie Ray – Ray has been anything but ace-like over his last few starts. In his most recent start, he went 6.2 innings against Tampa Bay, allowing four runs, walking one, and striking out five. The Seattle Mariners could have really used one of Ray’s 2021 Cy Young performances to end their losing streak. Is he or someone else the team’s number two man in the rotation?
Logan Gilbert – Well we all knew he couldn’t keep it up forever. And it’s unfair to put him on this list considering how great he’s been in the year. However, Gilbert easily had his worst start of the year on Friday night. The future ace didn’t have his usual great stuff as he gave up 4 runs in 5 innings, walking 3, and striking out 6. Most concerningly is this marks his third consecutive game with 3walks or more.
Matt Brash – No surprise here, especially since he was demoted to Triple-A after his last start. He went 3 innings, walking 4, striking out 3, and allowing 4 runs
While back on the farm, Brash will get acclimated to the bullpen. At this point, it remains to be seen if his future is as a reliever or a starter. It should be noted if robot umpires were used or if the human umpire was better at his job, Brash’s last outing might have gone differently. A missed strike three call against Houston extended the inning and brought in a run.
Penn Murfee – He is now up to 6.2 innings pitched without allowing a hit. Not only are opposing batters hitless against him, Murfee only walked one batter. Last week he pitched 4.2 innings, walking the aforementioned 1, and striking out 7. He could be this year’s Paul Sewald?
Wyatt Mills – Another Seattle Mariners reliever who had an impressive week. Mills pitched 4.2 innings, allowing 1 run, with 4 K’s, and no walks. After last season’s horrible performance, he’s off to a good start in 2022.
Chris Flexen – Another candidate who is up for consideration as the Seattle Mariners’ number two starter. He’ll face off Monday night at home against Philadelphia. Is he the new Mariners’ Felix Hernandez? Flexen has pitched well but only gets on average one run of support per game.
If Flex needs advice on how to pitch knowing he’ll get limited runs scored in support he can give King Felix a call. In his previous start against Houston, Flexen went 5 innings, allowing only a solo home run, walking 3, and striking out 2.
George Kirby – Another one of the Seattle Mariners heralded rookies made his major league debut yesterday. Some fans questioned whether bringing Kirby up to pitch in the Majors so soon was a good idea, considering he had yet to pitch above Double-A. Definitely, a valid concern considering what happened to Brash.
Kirby left no doubt about his ability to pitch at the MLB level, at least for one start. He spun himself, and his mom, a gem for his debut on Mother’s Day, pitching 6 shutout innings, scattering 4 hits, with 0 walks and 7 strikeouts. In a word Kirby was dominant. He’s projected to get his next start against the Mets in New York.
Which Seattle Mariners players do you think saw their stock rise or fall last week? Let us know in the comments section below.