Mariners Franchise Four Unveiled

Jul 9, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Felix Hernandez – SP

King Felix is the lone member of the Mariners Franchise Four that is currently on the M’s roster. Originally singed as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela, Felix Hernandez made his big league debut in 2005 at the tender age of 19. Hernandez has spent the past 11 seasons in a Mariners’ uniform, and is already considered the best pitcher in franchise history.

Hernandez has amassed 136 wins since joining the M’s despite playing the vast majority of his career on terrible teams. He sports a 3.06 ERA across 2178 career innings pitched. King Felix has over 2000 career strikeouts, and has held the opposition to just 1.164 walks/hits per inning. The 29-year-old right-hander has won one Cy Young award already, and has represented the Mariners at 7 Mid-Summer Classic’s so far.

It is hard to pick his best season, but I feel 2014 was Felix’s strongest showing as a pro. Hernandez went 15-6 and posted a league low 2.14 ERA across 32 outings. He struck out 248 and walked 46 over the course of 236 innings pitched. The Mariners finished just 1 game shy of making the postseason, and King Felix’s permanence in Game 162 spoke volumes. Hernandez was attempting to make the playoffs for the first time in his career. He hurled 5.1 shutout frames while striking out 7 and allowing 1 hit in a win over the Los Angeles Angels. He did more than enough to carry the M’s over the threshold, but unfortunately October baseball was not in the cards.

Next: Ichiro