Seattle Mariners Logan Gilbert’s success has been noted of late. Gilbert has shown everyone he might be what the Mariners need, a reliable pitcher who can come out every fifth day and make good. This past Sunday’s games, he was 5-2 with a league-leading 10 games started. He also has a 2.29 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 59 innings.
Logan Gilbert’s Success
American League Pitcher of the Month
Gilbert has surprised many in 2022 and was the American League pitcher of the month for April. He was 3-0 and had an ERA of 0.40—the lowest single month ERA in Mariners history. Opponents hit just .188 off him.
A Top Prospect in the Draft
Gilbert was considered one of the top pitching prospects in the 2018 MLB draft. The Mariners chose him in the 14th selection. After signing a contract, he was assigned Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League. However, he was shut down for the season due to an illness before making his first professional appearance.
In 2019, he showcased four different pitches, a fastball, a curve, a changeup, and a slider. Gilbert was 10-5 with a 2.13 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 135 innings with three different teams in the Mariners’ minor leagues.
2021 Big League Roster
On May 13, 2021, Gilbert was selected to the Mariners’ 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He debuted that day as the starting pitcher against the then Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians).
He would finish his rookie season with the team and helped to stabilize the Mariners’ rotation. Overall, Gilbert went 6-5 with a 4.68 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 24 starts over 119 1/3 innings.
He did struggle in August. Gilbert only went past five innings in one of the five starts he had that month. On top of that, the Mariners lost all five of the games he started. He ended the month with a 9.13 ERA.
He rebounded in September. Gilbert was one of the key pitchers keeping the Mariners in the Wild Card chase until the last week of the season. He pitched in six games that month—the Mariners won five of those games. His ERA for September was 2.70,
Mariners Are Relying On Gilbert
Seattle Mariners Logan Gilbert has surprised many in 2022, and he will be needed even more. The Mariners, considered a playoff contender, are struggling with starting pitching, and the bullpen has been shaky. Gilbert continues to pitch well, and going long into the games will only help the bullpen and the starting staff.
The Rest of the Staff
The Mariners still think they can contend for a wildcard spot but need the entire pitching staff to perform. After signing Robbie Ray, he has taken a step back. He is getting the strikeouts, but the home run ball has given him trouble. Chris Flexen and Marco Gonzales have struggled with command and walks. Additionally, their strikeout totals are down.
As a pitching staff, the Mariners are 24th in ERA. They have allowed 61 home runs, the worst mark in baseball. Their bullpen is also last in the American League in saves.
Logan Gilbert’s Success & Looking Ahead
Logan Gilbert’s success is a nice commodity for Seattle. There is plenty of time for the Mariners’ pitching staff to get it together and contend for a playoff spot. Gilbert is off to a great start. He is in a really good spot, and hopefully, he continues to get better. He has certainly been a surprise to start the 2022 season.
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Players Mentioned:
Robbie Ray, Chris Flexen , Marco Gonzales
