Mariners have a crucial decision to make with No. 8 prospect Ryan Sloan

It's generally accepted that Kade Anderson is the best thing since sliced bread (or something like that) when it comes to pitching prospects. He leads the minors with an outrageous 1.06 ERA and 0.643 WHIP, and is now (im)patiently awaiting his callup to the majors. However, what about the Mariners' other top-rated pitching prospect, Ryan Sloan?

While Anderson is the more polished pitcher at this stage, there are plenty of media types who proclaim Sloan has the higher upside. Irrespective, the question remains of what the Mariners' plan is for the 2024 second-round pick, as we come to the business end of the season? In fairness it isn't the easiest of decisions, but it is a crucial one nonetheless.

Even before this season, Mariners general manager Justin Hollander had said he wouldn't rule out Anderson and Sloan making their Major League debuts in 2026. This alluded to the faith in both pitchers and their respective talent, although with Sloan specifically, his biggest challenge has been finding consistency. And this was perfectly exemplified during his two most recent starts in Double-A Arkansas.

The 20-year-old had a nightmare at home to Amarillo, giving up five earned runs over 4.0 innings in an 8-4 loss. However, he then followed this up with 5.2 stellar innings on the road in Tulsa, allowing just one earned run in a 6-2 win. The game was particularly notable for his nine strikeouts, which gave him 100 Ks on the season:

At the risk of sounding almost too negative about Sloan's outing versus Amarillo, it represented the third time this season he allowed five earned runs in a game. However, for all our concerns about his inconsistency, the reality is he has improved in this area as the season has progressed. After allowing a 5.09 ERA in his first 10 starts, he has since produced an impressive 2.41 ERA in his past eight.

How staunch are the Mariners in their conviction of only using their pitching prospects as starters?

We know the Mariners are adamant they don't want Anderson pitching out of the bullpen, which explains his delayed Major League debut due to the five quality starters ahead of him. There is a similar sentiment regarding Sloan, and yet perhaps a relief spot could work in his case? Just picture a guy with a 100 mph fastball and plus sweeper, helping out an embattled bullpen.

Let's also consider this could be a good way to limit over-using Sloan for the remainder of the season, with him already set to surpass high water mark for innings in his next outing. As much as the plan is ideally to increase a starter's workload every season, there's no need to blow his high-mark out of the water. This way, he keeps active, helps the bullpen, gains some invaluable Major League experience, and better limits any potential further lapses in consistency.

Ultimately, we suspect the Mariners will do their utmost to stick to a similar path with both pitchers. They've said they don't want to potentially sabotage Anderson's development by using him as a reliever, with pretty much the same outlook and preference for Sloan.

At the same time, if Jerry Dipoto and company are smart they won't completely rule anything out. Because the idea of a guy like Sloan throwing strikes out of the bullpen -- especially if the M's somehow make the playoffs -- is a mouth-watering prospect worthy of genuine consideration.

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