3 options for the Mariners to protect their Starting Pitching depth

Emerson Hancock, 1st round and 6th overall draft pick of 2020, is waiting to prove he’s worth the spot he was picked at. He likely opens the season as the ace of the Rainiers staff, though a familiar rest practice from last year might land him on the Opening Day roster. Easing your starters into the season by giving everybody an additional rest day running a 6 man rotation feels like a real option for Scott Servais.

It also gives a nod of belief to Hancock who would be breaking camp as a big leaguer for the first time. A few weeks into the season if Woo or Miller are feeling any pains from ramping up their workload they can take a beat. It’s entirely possible through proving he belongs and a combination of injury and performance that Emerson remains a Mariner all season long.

That still might largely play out even if he breaks spring camp with Tacoma. Either way, he’s the first line of defense for Servais to pencil in behind his very formidable starting five. There’s really no option 1B to his 1A as there is a significant drop off beyond the Mariners' number 11 ranked prospect. According to those rankings, there’s only one other starter, ranked number 21, projected to have a shot at this roster in 2024, and he's returning from an injury that essentially cost him 2023...

Bet your bottom (Taylor) Dollard 

2022 Texas League Post-Season All-Star & Pitcher of the Year, Baseball America AA All-Star, and MiLB.com Organization All-Star Taylor Dollard. If the multitude of awards got you thinking “Why haven’t people been talking about this guy all Spring?”, then let me remind you of the dark night full of terrors that was 2023 for Taylor.

After battling through just 8.1 innings at AAA Tacoma we learned that labrum surgery was in the cards for the now 25-year-old. Any chance at building on his immense success in 2022 was erased. Dollard hasn’t pitched yet in spring as of this writing so he will likely take his time to get up to speed in Tacoma before he can be called upon.

As improbable as it might sound the Mariners may just have another tandem of young broncos in the stable ready to be let loose. When Anthony DeSclafini was traded away before ever playing in Seattle it sent a message about how confident DiPoto and Hollander are in guys like Dollard. However, I think from a fan perspective counting on another miracle is a bit reckless regardless of who you expect it to come from.

The bullpen’s loss might be the rotation’s gain

When he was claimed on waivers in February by Seattle, there was uncertainty as to whether Stoudt would stay as a starter or go to the pen. However, his recent reassignment to AAA spring camp seems to suggest that he’s going to be stretched out in Tacoma to be ready as a spot starter. As mentioned above, Dollard hasn’t thrown a pitch yet in camp so after Hancock it might be Stoudt who gets the early call if there needs to be one.

Most of you will remember Stoudt was traded to the Reds for Castillo, where he made 2 starts and 4 appearances striking out nine and giving up 11 earned runs. He’s back in the PNW this year and, hopefully, he can benefit from being in the organization that drafted him in the third round of 2019.

If Levi does make it up to the bigs there has probably been a rash of injuries occurring all clustered together. I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that and if his numbers from last year reflect his ability there will almost definitely be a free-agent signing or trade (does anybody still have Tommy Milone’s number?). This is the point on the depth chart where folks start getting nervous.