3 Mariners Pitchers who could make the 2023 All-Star Game in Seattle

Although the Mariners position players have struggled in AL All-Star balloting which is voted on by the fans, there is a chance multiple Mariners pitchers will make the team. Pitchers are not subjected to the same standards as position players and are selected by the league Commissioner’s Office. The Mariners strength this year has been their pitching. Who are the Mariners' pitchers that could play in the Mid-Summer Classic which will be played in Seattle this year?

Luis Castillo has been the best starting pitcher for the Mariners this season. He has had a bit of rough patch of late, but there is no denying he has put together a solid 2023 campaign so far. Castillo leads all Mariners starters in ERA at 2.73 for the year (fifth in the AL). He also leads the team in strikeouts with 98 (eighth in the AL) going into his start on Tuesday against the Yankees.

Another great Mariners pitcher this year has been George Kirby who continues to impress with his ability to light up the strike zone. Among qualified starting pitchers, Kirby has given out the fewest free passes this year, walking just six batters over 87.2 innings pitched. Kirby also has the second-best ERA (3.29) on the Mariners starting rotation to Luis Castillo and ranks 11th in the AL among starters. He is also third on the M’s pitching staff in strikeouts with 75 (23rd in the AL).

This has arguably been Paul Sewald’s best season with the Mariners so far. Sewald has saved 13 of 15 save opportunities as the Mariners closer this year (his 13 saves rank tied for 10th in the MLB and 6th in the AL) and he is fifth in the AL in save percentage with 86.7%. Among AL relievers he is tied for the seventh most strikeouts with 41 this year. He has the second-best ERA among relievers and third-best overall on the Mariners roster over 29.1 innings pitched with a 2.76 ERA.

Luis Castillo is the Mariners’ most likely All-Star representative this year, but there is also a chance given Kirby’s and Sewald’s success either one of them make the AL All-Star team as well.