How rookies are fueling a surge by Mariners
On Wednesday, Emerson Hancock debuted on the mound for the Seattle Mariners against the San Diego Padres, the fifth rookie to have a noticeable impact on the big-league roster this season.
Hancock went five innings, giving up just two hits, three walks and striking out three while only allowing one run. While it was a no-decision, his performance helped in the team’s eventual 6-1 win -- the team's ninth win in the past 10 games. The improved play has moved third-place Mariners within 5.5 games of the first-place Rangers in the AL West and has them just 1.5 games out of the final AL wild-card spot.
One of those strikeouts was against one of the premier Padres hitters, as Hancock tied up Fernando Tatís Jr. on an inside pitch to secure the punchout.
Before Hancock's debut, four rookies have become significant contributors to the 2023 team, with two of those rookies also being pitchers. Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo have picked up meaningful innings for a team dealing with injuries to Robbie Ray and Marco Gonzales.
Miller had a long streak of quality starts to begin his career, which he has turned into a 4.20 ERA over 85.2 innings. He has been striking out 8.9 batters per nine innings while only walking 1.8. That nearly 5-1 strikeout to walk ratio is higher than Clayton Kershaw’s 2013 Cy Young season, but Miller does give up more hits.
Woo has not seen the same highs as Miller but has a mix of good pitches. He currently has a 4.75 ERA over 50 innings but is currently on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right forearm.
The other two rookies to make their mark are outfielder Cade Marlowe and infielder José Caballero. Marlowe only has played in 15 games thus far, but is 12-for-39 (.308) and slugging .564. The sample size is small, but the Mariners have benefited from his fast start in their current seven-game winning streak.
Seattle thrust Caballero into a starting position as Kolten Wong struggled all year. Through 74 games, he has not been an elite hitter but has been exactly what the team needs from a bottom-third-of-the-order hitter who plays good defense while primarily playing second base. He also adds extra value on the bases, as he has stolen 20 bases while only getting caught twice.
With the season-ending injury to Taylor Dollard, it is likely that there will not be another rookie called up ready to make an impact in the 2023 season. But two names to look out for are Robert Perez Jr. and Ryan Bliss, who may get some reps in September depending on the team’s playoff outlook.
More must-reads: