SODO MOJO
FanSided

3 Mariners starting pitchers that will begin the season at Triple-A, and 2 who won't

With the big league rotation set, we take a look at the Mariners AAA affiliate Tacoma Rainiers, and 3 starting pitchers who will start there and 2 who won't

Christopher O'Day|
Arkansas Travelers v Amarillo Sod Poodles
Arkansas Travelers v Amarillo Sod Poodles | John E. Moore III/GettyImages
3 of 3

The pitchers who will be with the AAA Tacoma Rainiers

Juan Mercedes

We start with the lesser known of the 3 in Mercedes. He spent most of the year in AA last season, struggling mightily after doing quite well in High-A. It was a tale of two seasons, as the numbers at Arkansas look so much worse across the board compared to Everett. However, with the Mariners shallow staff in the minors, they might challenge Mercedes, as rumors have him starting in Tacoma to see how he does.

Taylor Dollard

Dollard is the one, personally, that I think everyone should keep an eye on in the Mariners Farm System. Even over Hancock. After a dominating 2022 that saw Dollard win Pitcher of the Year amidst a 2.25 ERA and just 0.951 WHIP, Dollard would blow out his arm early in 2023 resulting in Labrum surgery.

All of his pitches sit around average grades, but it's the command that stands out. Similar to VanScoter, he is a command first pitcher whose success depends on a feel for the zone. Looking to fill the role as an old school high floor innings eater, watching how he comes back from the Labrum injury will be huge for his future.

Emerson Hancock

The... gem (?) of the Mariners farm system, Hancock has a lot less shine and luster than he did in the past. Injuries have derailed his ability to get any kind of consistency or a foothold anywhere in the organization. The former top 100 prospect actually made a couple of starts for the Mariners last year before being shut down once again with shoulder issues. It was precautionary, and they kept him out the remainder of the year although they could've had him back for a start or two, but chose to be safe instead.

He hit 100+ innings for the first time in 2023, getting up to 110 before being shut down. If he can get back to pitching like he did in 2021 and 2022, the Mariners righty will quickly remind everyone why he was a top 100 prospect. As he makes starts in Tacoma, there will be more concern over him actually making the starts as opposed to how he does in them.

Home/Mariners Prospects

Schedule