Three rising stars for the Seattle Mariners
With Spring Training underway, each team is filled with hope for a World Series title and fresh faces are ready to make a name for themselves in the majors. After failing to make the playoffs in 2023, the Seattle Mariners will look to make a postseason run in 2024.
Here are three rising stars looking to make an impact for the Mariners in 2024.
Matt Brash, pitcher
2023 MLB stats: 9-4, 3.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 107 strikeouts in 70.2 innings pitched
After a solid rookie year in 2022, Mariners pitcher Matt Brash found his role with the team becoming a major piece of their bullpen.
Possessing one of the best sliders in baseball, Brash went 9-4 with a 3.06 ERA while striking out 107 hitters in 70.2 innings pitched. He also recorded 24 holds, good for a spot in the top ten in the American League.
Dealing with an injury scare that will only sideline him for a short time to begin the season, the Mariners are elated that it wasn't a long-term injury as originally feared.
A major piece of the team's success, Brash is a star in the making that could end up closing out games before too long.
Bryan Woo, pitcher
2023 MLB stats: 4-5, 4.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 87.2 innings pitched
After only spending one season in the minors, 2021 sixth-round pick pitcher Bryan Woo made his major league debut in 2023 jumping from Double-A straight to the big leagues.
Going 4-5 with a 4.21 ERA and striking out 93 hitters in 87.2 innings pitched, Woo also threw the most innings of his college and professional career. In those 18 starts for the Mariners, the 24-year-old allowed three or fewer runs in 13 of those starts.
With an offseason to retool elements that were unsuccessful in 2023, Woo is primed to have a big season as a member of one of baseball's best rotations after hearing his name come up in trade talks during the winter.
Woo is an under-the-radar breakout candidate in 2024.
Cole Young, shortstop
2023 MILB stats: .277/.399/.448, 54 extra-base hits, 62 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 126 games played
Selected out of high school in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft, shortstop Cole Young looks like one of the next great young hitters to play for the Mariners.
Only 20 years old, Young slashed .277/.399/.448 with 54 extra-base hits and 62 RBI in his first full season in the minors while swiping 22 bases.
In his first spring training, Young has been receiving glowing reports currently hitting .417 with one home run and five RBI in his limited playing time.
With a young pitching core and one of baseball's brightest superstars in outfielder Julio Rodriguez, the Mariners have proven they won't hesitate to call up a young player.
While Young might not make it to the majors this season, he will have his eye on pushing shortstop J.P. Crawford for the starting job in 2025.
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