Mariners Prospects: From obscurity to farm system pitching gem

While he may have flown under the radar for many during his college days at the University of Pittsburgh, right-handed pitcher Logan Evans has emerged as a thrilling prospect in the Seattle Mariners' farm. Drafted in the 12th round in 2023, Evans, the 15th-ranked prospect, has captivated the team's scouting department with his raw talent and promising future. 

"The mainstream stats don't tell the whole story with Logan, reassured Justin Hollander this spring. He has the physical traits, the arm speed, and the raw stuff that jumped out at us. With some minor tweaks, we are confident he can really take off."

Hollander on Logan Evans

On the mound, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Evans operates with a solid four-pitch mix highlighted by a lively two-seam fastball that sits 93-94 mph. He generates excellent extension on his heater, allowing it to play up due to his size and athleticism. His best secondary is a sweeping slider (55 grade) that misses bats, particularly against left-handed hitters.

Logan Evans is making waves in the Mariners' farm system

Just months after signing for $100,000, the Mariners aggressively assigned 22-year-old Evans to Single-A Modesto to start his pro career. His rapid progression and upside made him a sought-after piece in trade talks this offseason as Seattle remade its roster. That chatter hasn't quieted, as MLB insider Jeff Passan said on a recent appearance with Brock and Salk (Seattle Sports 710): A package of Evans and a Top 10 prospect could legitimately net the Mariners the impact bat they need at the trade deadline. 

While Evans' control (50) and cut-fastball (45) need some refining, his overall arsenal gives him a starter's profile that belies his 40 overall grade coming out of Pitt. Despite underwhelming ERA numbers of 5.88 in 2023 and 7.43 in 2022, the Mariners saw impressive underlying metrics that pointed to Evans' potential, and he's rewarding them with a fantastic run in front of the Arkansas Traveler's rotation. 

Through seven starts, the talented righty is in the Top 10 in batting average against, ERA, innings, and WHIP. His performance, elite extension, and analytically driven approach to pitching are drawing many comparisons to Logan Gilbert. The name doesn't hurt either. 

While he may have been an under-the-radar draft pick, Logan Evans' impressive arsenal and projection suggest he could develop into a vital piece of the Mariners' pitching pipeline in the future.