Sodo Mojo Presents, Seattle Mariners Top 30 Prospects: 20-16

18. Matt Festa, RHP

Matt Festa is the only name on our list who has appeared in a Major League Game for the Seattle Mariners. After dominating AA Arkansas, striking out 67 batters in 49 innings, while issuing just 12 walks. It was a short stint in Seattle and the results were a mixed bag.

Unlike other relievers, Festa has 4, legitimate, big-league quality pitches. None of them are plus pitches and his command is just above-average. Drafted in the 6th round of the 2017 draft, Festa looks like a sure bet to be a great pick for Jerry Dipoto and company.

A starter in college, Festa was almost immediately moved to the bullpen and it has helped him accelerate his MLB time table. As a reliever, Festa fits best as a multi-inning middle reliever or possibly a setup man.

Stuff-wise, Festa’s fastball sits in the low to mid-’90s, with a high of 97 MPH. He backs it up with a sharp slider, his best secondary pitch, and a solid curveball and changeup. Festa has a great chance to make the Mariners bullpen out of spring training.

However, there is some thought that to fully maximize his value, the Mariners may consider moving Festa back to a starter, knowing he has the floor of a solid bullpen arm. If Festa was given an opportunity to start, his stuff and command profile best as a #4 starter.

Whether or not it is worth the risk of delaying Festa’s permanent arrival to the big leagues is up to the Mariners. But with the sheer volume of relievers we have already profiled in the organization, it very well could be a risk worth taking.

Scouting Grades- Fastball: 55 Slider: 55 Curveball: 50 Changeup: 50 Command: 55 Probability: 4/5