NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about a young Arm in the Seattle M’s rotation battle this season. Brandon Maurer. His AA numbers in Jackson last season point to his potential, finishing with the most consistent stats on the team. AA: 137 IP, 1.315 WHIP, 7.6 K/9 and a 3.20 ERA. This year Maurer is rarely, if ever, mentioned alongside the “big 3” pitchers the Mariners have in AAA right now (Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker, and James Paxton). He’s more than ready.
The Mariners Felix Hernandez and the 2012 AL Cy Young race
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Britton Ransford weighs in with another M’s article on the 2012 AL Cy Young chances for the M’s ace King Felix Hernandez. He says the stiffest competition is coming from Jared Weaver, Chris Sale, Justin Verlander and C.C. Sabathia. IN his last 11 starts, 2 months and 82.1 innings since that dreadful Tuesday night, Felix has a record of 6-0 with a 1.72 ERA.
Mariners prospect watch: There’s NOT just aces in the system
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on the Seattle Mariners farm system in this pitching prospects report. There’s more to Seattle’s farm system than just the Big 3 (Taijuan Walker, James Paxton and Danny Hultzen). Names like Stephen Pryor, Carter Capps and Chance Ruffin round out a farm system rife with talent. Big 3 of starting, meet the Big 3 of relieving.
Mariners prospect watch: Aces struggle through June
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on the Seattle Mariners farm system in his first pitching prospects report. He weighs in on James Paxton, Danny Hultzen and Taijuan Walker. The Big 3. If any M’s prospect has struggled the most through June and July it’s Taijuan Walker. Hultzen holds a 4.24 ERA, but he’s allowed just 3 runs over his last three starts in AAA Tacoma.
Prospect watch: A look at the three future aces of the Seattle Mariners
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jonathan Irwin reports on the Seattle Mariners farm system in his first pitching prospects report. He weighs in on James Paxton, Danny Hultzen and Taijuan Walker. The Big 3. Just today Hultzen was promoted to AAA Tacoma. If he’s half as dominate there was he was at Jackson, it could be a matter of time until he’s starting for the Mariners.
The Mariners Brandon League: The good, the bad & the ugly
New NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jared Galde tells us a little bit about the MLB closing position today. He states the closer role is the ultimate reminder that the game of baseball is a mental game unlike any other. He says the Mariners Brandon League need to be good, needs him to be a closer and fans don’t need to watch him blow saves. Stephen Pryor is set to take over if he fails.
Is the Mariners King Felix getting squeezed out of run support?
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve goes inside the numbers on that age old question: does Felix Hernandez get enough run support? The answer: Yes, says Steve. With a breakdown of every start over the past three years, including King Felix’s starts this season, the numbers tell us that the average score per start should be 4-2 in favor of the Mariners.
Worried about the 2012 Seattle Mariners offense? I’m not!
NWSB Seattle Mariners blogger Insider Steve weighs in today on the M’s offense. If you break it down even further, through 5 starts this season Felix Hernandez has a 2.75 ERA while Jason Vargas has a 3.83 ERA. If you combine the two, you have an ERA of 3.25 compared to the 7.55 ERA between Blake Beavan, Hector Noesi, and Kevin Millwood. The pitching not the bats is the reason for the 11-10 record.