Mariners Young Starting pitching

The opening of spring  training for the 

Seattle  Mariners  is about a month away.

Spring  training  games begin on February 

24. 

This year will be the World Baseball  Classic 

so several player will be out of camp for a 

couple weeks playing for their home country.

Some players will be minor leaguers  so

won't  affect the  Mariners. Julio Rodriguez 

and Matt Brash  will be two will play in the

WBC. 

We know in the starting  rotation  Logan Gilbert 

and George  Kirby  will  be two youngsters who

will make their next step in development.  Emerson 

Hancock  is  the  next one to  look into making

the rotation this year.  Bryce Miller  and Taylor  

Dillard are two  other youngsters to make names 

for themselves  and  have impact on the rotation.

President  of  baseball  operations  Jerry Dipoto 

had thought of bringing Matt Brash  back into

the rotation  but since he will be in the WBC

as a reliever for Canada  best to leave him there.

Brash and Andre Munoz will be two key pitchers

coming out of the bullpen. 

Chris  Flexen  and Marco Gonzales will be two

veterans  going for the fifth starter if either are

not traded. My opinion they should not stand in

the way if Hancock or another youngster can start.

Even if Flexen and Marco start spring  training 

with the  Mariners they could be traded before

the start of the season.  Another team could be 

in need of a starter if an injury happens.  

Say Flexen and Maco end in the bullpen which

is unlikely  because of the relievers they already

have one or both  should be used as the first

pitcher out of the bullpen. This for sure whoever 

is the fifth starter.  The Mariners  should not be 

concerned whether the 5th starter  can go five

innings  or not. Of course,  it will  be nice if they

can more times than not. Have to  figure Flexen 

and Marco can go at least two innings before

using the rest of the pen. Go M's.