Casey Sadler, Eduard Bazardo, Justin Topa, Paul Sewald and Drew Steckenrider have all played big roles for the Mariners. Who is going to be that guy this year?
At 22-25 on the season, the Seattle Mariners clearly have a multitude of issues. The starting pitching has been uneven, the injuries are piling up and the defense is shoddy at times.
The bullpen, because of the injuries, is thin. However, it's also an area that might be the easiest to improve.
Matt Brash is expected back from the injured list any day now and Gabe Speier should be a week or so behind him. Those returns, coupled with the development of Jose Ferrer, should help supplement Eduard Bazardo and Andres Munoz, giving the Mariners five solid relief options.
But are the Mariners actually even deeper than that?
Since the 2021 season, the Mariners have become known for their ability to develop unheralded relievers and turn them into reliable pieces. Drew Steckenrider, Casey Sadler, Paul Sewald, Justin Topa and Bazardo himself all fit that mold.
Are the Mariners in the midst of developing the next 'breakout' arm?
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Alex Hoppe (48) pitches to the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park. Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesIt's something we discussed on the most 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast:
"I've heard people say it: Where is the next unheralded bullpen star? Where is the next Paul Sewald? Where is the next Drew Steckenrider? Where is the next Bazardo, the next Topa, the next Casey Sadler? Who's the next out-of-nowhere guy?”
Maybe we're starting to see the foundation of that guy, and maybe we saw him in this series (against the Astros)
(Alex) Hoppe and (Nick) Davila are probably the closest to those guys, just given that they have, you know, good stuff, right? And everybody has good stuff. But Hoppe throws 97 miles an hour. (Cooper) Criswell throws 92 miles an hour. Hoppe has a better chance at a young age of turning into that guy.
But there are medium-leverage guys being created out of what we thought were low-leverage guys, and maybe we're seeing some higher-leverage guys created out of lower-leverage guys as well.
Maybe we are seeing the next out-of-nowhere Mariners reliever, and maybe we saw them on display in this series.
And you know what? If we're not, give them credit for at least bridging the gap until Matt Brash and Gabe Speier come back."
Davila, who had never pitched about Double-A, has a 0.00 ERA through six appearances. He has just three strikeouts thus far.
Hoppe has a 5.87 ERA but he hasn't allowed a run in five of his last six appearances. His fastball/slider combo is a real weapon.
The Mariners will close out their series with the San Diego Padres on Sunday at 4:20 p.m. PT.
Of note
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