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Mariners Position Battle Update: 5th Starting Pitcher
James Paxton, Nate Karns and Mike Montgomery are competing this spring for the final spot in the Seattle Mariners starting rotation.
We have been discussing the Seattle Mariners position battles all week here at SoDo Mojo. We have updated fans on the utility infielder battle, the backup first base job and the backup center fielder gig. Today we will take a closer look at the competition to be the M’s fifth starting pitching in 2016.
This is arguably the most high profile of the M’s position battles. Whoever wins the final spot in the starting rotation will pitch every fifth day, and will hopefully provide the Mariners with 175 to 200 innings in 2016. James Paxton, Nate Karns and Mike Montgomery are currently competing to start the season in the M’s opening day rotation.
Paxton is a very familiar name to fans, as he has spent the parts of the past three years in Seattle. The Mariners acquired Karns from the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason, and he is getting plenty of early opportunities this spring. Montgomery had some great moments last year as a rookie with the M’s, but illness has limited his Cactus League chances.
We will begin this slideshow by discussing James Paxton, who has spent the most time in Seattle during his career.
Next: Pax-Man is slimmer and finally healthy
James Paxton – LHP
James Paxton leads all Mariners’ pitchers with three starts this spring. He has fared reasonably well, going 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA through 9 Cactus League innings. Paxton has struck out 3 and walked 1. His most recent outing was his most impressive. Paxton dominated the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night, allowing 1 unearned run on 3 hits through 4 innings of work.
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The Ladner, BC product’s injury history is well documented, but Paxton has been remarkably productive when healthy. He has gone 12-8 with a 3.16 ERA across 30 career starts. Paxton was once again one of the M’s better hurlers in 2015, going 3-4 with a 3.90 ERA in 13 outings. He fanned 56 and issued 29 free passes through 67 innings pitched. Aside from the lack of starts, the only red flag last year was the fact he allowed 1.433 walks/hits per inning.
The big southpaw has made just 13 starts in each of the last two seasons. He missed much of last year with a strained finger tendon on his throwing hand. 2016 is a make or break season for Paxton, and his ability to stay healthy will likely determine his future in baseball. He has the necessary skills to be a starting pitcher in the big leagues, and I’m hopeful he reaches his potential this summer in Seattle.
Next: Karns showing well in spring training
Nate Karns – RHP
The 28-year-old has registered a stingy 1.80 ERA through his first 2 Cactus League outings. He has done a nice job keeping the opposition off the scoreboard, but his numbers seem slightly misleading. Karns has yet to record a strikeout in 5 innings, and the opposition is hitting .316 off him in spring training.
Karns was very effective for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015 during his first full season in the big leagues. He went 7-5 and posted a 3.67 ERA through 27 appearances. Karns struck out 8.9 batters per 9 innings, and issued 3.4 walks per 9 innings. He struggled at times to keep the ball in the yard, but that should change now that he calls Safeco Field home.
The Mariners acquired Karns from the Rays as part of the return package for Brad Miller, Logan Morrison and Danny Farquhar. He was originally considered a lock to open the season in the M’s starting rotation, but that all changed after Seattle traded for Wade Miley and resigned Hisashi Iwakuma. Karns may not start the season in the Emerald City, but you can bet we will see him toeing the rubber at Safeco Field at some point in 2016.
Next: What does the future hold for Monty?
Mike Montgomery – LHP
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- How the Mariners could swing a trade for Fernando Tatis Jr
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Monty missed the first couple weeks of spring training after undergoing a procedure to remove a cyst from his neck. However, he made his first Cactus League start on Saturday night against the Cincinnati Reds. Monty fared very well in his spring debut, allowing 2 hits and 1 walk through 3 shutout innings. He also tallied a pair of strikeouts.
The 26-year-old left-hander was a pleasant surprise for M’s fans last season. Montgomery went 4-6 while posting a 4.60 ERA across 16 starts as a rookie in 2015. His season was highlighted by back-to-back complete game shutouts against the Kansas City Royals and the San Diego Padres. He struggled as the season progressed, but he showed flashes of brilliance.
Next: Mariners Position Battle Update: Backup CF/ 5th Outfielder
The Mariners swapped Erasmo Ramirez for Montgomery prior to the start of the 2015 season. Monty exceeded expectations, but he appears to be on the outside looking in right now. He is out of minor-league options, and he would have to clear waivers if Seattle decides to demote him to Tacoma at the end of spring training. The M’s could also opt to transition Montgomery to the bullpen in an effort to create a spot on the opening day roster for him.