2024 Mariners Midseason Grades: Pitchers

As we look forward to the second half, the Seattle Mariners are in first place in the AL West by 4.5 games. If you would have told me that before the season, I would have been elated. Yet somehow it feels a bit disappointing considering the past 3-6 road trip and the way the hitters performed over the past three months. Kevin will evaluate those putrid performances but like most teachers today, he has inflated grades. (Hello Julio).

In this case of Mariners pitching, the starters have earned high marks while the relievers are stuck in mediocrity outside of a couple standouts. So before you enjoy Kevin’s grade inflation, soak in some real grades for the Mariners hurlers.

Luis Castillo: B- / Below Expectations

While Castillo is on a great contract for a “#1 pitcher”, he really isn’t a “#1 pitcher”. He is 38th in the majors in starting pitcher WAR behind the likes of Jake Irvin and Reese Olson. The reality is that Castillo has pitched like a 3rd starter in the rotation so that is a disappointment.

George Kirby: A- / Meeting Expectations

Kirby was getting Cy Young buzz before the season so anything less than a top 5 pitcher in the American League is a bit disappointing. Since that is likely too harsh, Kirby earns an A- but gets saddled with the mom comment. My mom used to always say “is it your best work?”. Didn’t matter what grade I earned. Could be an A. Now I use that with my kids and George gets the same treatment. Not George’s best work, but 11th in WAR in MLB and a 3.35 ERA is pretty good.

Logan Gilbert: A / Exceeding Expectations

Logan Gilbert is a certified Cy Young candidate this year. He is 7th in the AL in ERA (2.71), 1st in innings pitched, 2nd in MLB in WHIP and is on an absolute heater right now in June. Coming into the season as the Mariners third best pitcher, Walter is exceeding expectations as the staff ace.

Erik Drost/Wikipedia

Bryce Miller: B / Meets Expectations

Can we give home and away grades? Bryce Miller has a 1.82 ERA at home this season with an opponent wOBA of .213. On the road, Miller has a 6.28 ERA with an opponent wOBA of .336. Overall, this is meeting expectations for a 4th starter.

Bryan Woo: B / Meets Expectations

When Woo pitches, he is a clear “A” grade. The problem is that Woo can’t stay healthy. Here is a not-so-fun fact: Woo has never pitched 100 innings in a single season. Not just in his pro career, but that includes college and high school.

Emerson Hancock: C / Meets Expectations

Because Woo has been so injury prone, Hancock is a real part of the Mariners 2024 rotation and his grade matters. Hancock is sporting similar home/road splits to Bryce Miller which makes me think maybe the Mariners are pulling an Astros thing here in 2024. Hancock is a perfecly suitable 5th starter who is great sometimes and gets rocked other times.

Andres Munoz: B+ / Meets Expectations

This is maybe the hardest grade of all pitchers. Munoz has a 1.69 ERA, 12.09 K/9, and 17% swinging strike rate while also battling a back injury that makes him often unavailable to pitch. So what to do with Munoz? The magical 87% grade.

Ryne Stanek: A / Exceeds Expectations

Considering that Ryne Stanek was available to any MLB team in the middle of spring training, this has to be an A. With seven saves and a K/9 over 10, Stanek has saved the M’s from disaster with the Brash and Santos injuries. Also, great hair Ryne.

Ryne Stanek/Instagram

Gabe Speier: C / Below Expectations

Gabe Speier’s 6.06 ERA and injury that has kept him out since May 30th counter his high strikeout rate. The M’s need a dominant Gabe Speier and right now, they don’t have him throwing off a mound yet.

Trent Thornton: B+ / Above Expectations

Trent Thornton has been better than average which is what most Mariners fans expected him to be. He literally saved the M’s road trip with a great outing against the Rays and boasts a 3.22 ERA with a 2.88 FIP. He will look amazing as a 7th inning guy once we get some dudes back and/or make a trade.

Taylor Saucedo: B+ / Above Expectations

Expected to be the second lefty in the pen, Saucedo is rolling with a 2.66 ERA, 83.3% left on base rate, and still battling a .316 BABIP. This is clearly better than can be expected of a 6th inning type of guy.

Austin Voth: B+ / Above Expectations

Did anyone know Austin Voth before the season? I am guessing less than 5% of Mariners fans did. He is now pitching in the 8th inning and has been pretty good. Recent lack of success skews this a bit and made me want to lower his grade, but he will be much better when or if Santos returns.

Mike Baumann: B- / Meets Expectations

It is hard to say that a B- meets expectations but when the expectations are that a guy isn’t good at all, Mike Baumann is just fine. The nature of relievers is such that we always remember the terrible outings, but Mike B. has eight scoreless outings since May 29th. Wouldn’t you take that for your 7th best reliever?

Note: I understand that Cody Bolton, Eduard Bazardo, Kirby Snead, Collin Snider, Jhonathan Diaz, and Brett de Gues exist. Wait, Brett de Gues exists? Yes, he has thrown 3 1/3 innings for the M’s this year. But no one is reading about these dudes. Let’s be honest, you didn’t read about Voth and Baumann.

Maybe Kev will get your attention with his grade inflation for Julio.