Mariners fans will need to be patient with retooled team

Even a die-hard Mariners fan may want to buy a baseball program this year. Between the trades made at last season’s trade deadline, Mariner free agents that were not re-signed, and the pitchers the team picked up at the beginning of the year, there have been a lot of changes. Most projection systems place them at the bottom of the American League West with win totals in the 60s. Improving on that total will fall to the three new pitchers likely to make the starting rotation: Justus Sheffield, Kendall Gravemen and Taijuan Walker.

Justus Sheffield, part of the James Paxton trade, should make the starting rotation this year. Early reports out of spring training suggest that he is now throwing a two-seam fastball instead of a four-seam fastball and that he has good command of the new pitch. Sheffield’s talent level has always been limited by his fastball. His slider grades out at excellent, but his four-seam fastball was always considered below average due to its low spin rate and his problems controlling it. Because of this several evaluators suggested he would be better suited for a bullpen role. If Sheffield can continue to make the adjustment to the two-seamer, the Mariners may have unlocked mid-rotation starter potential the Yankees staff couldn’t.

Kendall Gravemen is another pitcher looking to make the starting rotation for the Mariners. He has spent the last two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery. An early sign that his arm has fully healed is his fastball velocity has returned. He hit 94 mph on the radar gun in a March 1st game against the Chicago Cubs. When he started for Oakland, he topped out at 97 mph. So, to be already up to 94 mph in a March spring training game is great news.

Taijuan Walker is back with the team on a one year deal. Walker has recovered from Tommy John surgery after having two lost seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has struck out four batters in three innings of work so far in spring training. Walker also has a new pitch in his arsenal, a spike curveball. He used a curveball before with the Mariners but is able to control this new pitch better. Walker has four strikeouts in three innings pitched so far in spring training.

Justin Dunn, a top prospect on the team, will likely start the season in the minors this year. He’s been impressive so far in spring training with ten strikeouts in six and two thirds innings. If someone in the starting rotation gets injured, Dunn is among a short list of call ups for the Mariners.

While the new pitching staff has a potential to be a huge improvement over last year’s team it’s important to temper expectations for this year. Two members of the starting rotation are pitching their first full years after Tommy John surgery and a third will be a rookie looking to prove he can stick in the majors for a full season.