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Seattle Mariners 2019 Position Preview: Starting Pitchers

By Ty Gonzalez

SEATTLE, WA - JULY 22: Marco Gonzales #32 of the Seattle Mariners warms up in the bullpen prior to taking on the Chicago White Sox during their game at Safeco Field on July 22, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JULY 22: Marco Gonzales #32 of the Seattle Mariners warms up in the bullpen prior to taking on the Chicago White Sox during their game at Safeco Field on July 22, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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JUSTUS SHEFFIELD, ERIK SWANSON, AND RICARDO SÁNCHEZ

BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 30: Justus Sheffield #61 of the New York Yankees pitches in the bottom of the fourth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 30: Justus Sheffield #61 of the New York Yankees pitches in the bottom of the fourth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on September 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

As the consensus top prospect in the Mariners’ farm system, Justus Sheffield has the biggest burden to bear of any of Seattle’s newly-acquired youngsters. Likely starting his season in Triple-A Tacoma, Sheffield has a few things to work on – namely command – before reaching the MLB full-time, though his call-up could be as soon as the end of May.

The 22-year-old has been widely projected as a future #3 in most Major League rotations, earning himself comparisons to current Cubs starter José Quintana.

Sheffield wasn’t the only starting pitcher to head Seattle’s way in the James Paxton deal, however. Erik Swanson, the 25-year-old righty Jerry Dipoto also acquired for Paxton, has unfortunately been overlooked for most of the offseason, but may have a more immediate impact at the MLB level than Sheffield.

While Swanson will likely join Sheffield in Tacoma to start the season, he doesn’t really have anything left to prove in the Minors. After three full seasons with a sub-3.50 FIP, all that’s left for Swanson to do is develop a secondary plus-pitch. If not, you may see him transition to a role in the bullpen, which is where he may end up at some point in his career no matter what.

In the event of injury to one of the Mariners’ five incumbent starters, or a potential March trade of Mike Leake, Swanson should be expected to be first in line to step in. Another benefactor may be Ricardo Sánchez, whom the M’s acquired from the Braves for everyone’s favorite player: cash considerations.

Sánchez is still raw at just 21-years-old and is coming off just 57.2 innings of experience at the Double-A level, but is seen to be a relatively quick riser due to his particular skillset. His season may start in Arkansas, though Tacoma isn’t completely out of the question. Therefore, Sánchez may benefit in a different way than Swanson, by being put into a position to face higher quality competition in Triple-A earlier than expected depending on Tacoma’s roster numbers.

Barring any sort of catastrophe, fans should expect to see at least two of these three pitchers at T-Mobile Park, if not all three. If anything, it’s a great indication for those in the area to catch a Tacoma Rainiers game or two in the late Spring.

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