Prediction: 5 Mariners that could make the All-Star team

Mariners All-Star predictions no. 5 – Anthony Misiewicz

My fifth and final All-Star prediction might seem a bit of a surprise, but hear me out. Anthony Misiewicz had one of the best, if not the best, advanced metrics in the Mariners bullpen last season. The former 18th round pick of the 2015 MLB Draft posted these stats last year:

xwOBA: 76th percentile

xERA: 76th percentile

xSLG: 73rd percentile

Barrel percentage: 98th

Strikeout percentage: 81st

Walk rate: 68th

Whiff rate: 79th

Fastball spin rate: 81st

Curve spin rate: 86th

Phew, that’s a lot of numbers right? Keep in mind, he did all of this in his first season in the big leagues. The 26-year-old continued his performances into this year’s Spring Training.

Anthony threw 8.1 innings and allowed just one earned run. That one run came off of a mistake pitch that was hit over the fence. He’s also struck out eight batters while only allowing one walk and three hits.

I know it’s hard for bullpen pitchers to make the All-Star team, especially for those that aren’t closers. But based on the small sample size, I have every reason to believe that Misiewicz could be deserving of a spot on the All-Star team this year.

Plus, the Mariners haven’t yet announced the official closer for the 2021 season and Misiewicz could be a sneaky candidate. ESPN currently lists Rafael Montero as the closer, and Kendall Graveman as next in line, but don’t sleep on the 26-year-old southpaw.

All this to say, these are all predictions and anything could happen this year. It’s hard for five players to make the All-Star team from one team, but I think it’s viable to say that at least two of these players should make it. Opening Day is tomorrow which marks the beginning of a fun season of Mariners baseball.