Mariners signs Huskies alumni Austin Voth to one-year deal

Right-handed pitcher Austin Voth has six years of Major League experience and his one-year contract with the Mariners is worth $1.25 million.

Wednesday saw the Seattle Mariners confirm another signing, as they continue their countdown towards spring training next month in Peoria, Arizona. As announced by executive vice president and general manager of baseball operations Justin Hollander, Austin Voth has agreed terms on a one-year deal worth a reported $1.25 million.

Voth represents an interesting addition, in that he has some upside and is a potential innings eater. At the same time however, he’s not been particularly consistent during his six years in the Majors.

The 31-year-old could prove invaluable, in that he can pitch both as a starter and out of the bullpen as required. Now, it’s a case of seeing if the Mariners can help him put it all together in 2024, regardless of his role.

Injury-marred campaign

Last season was a tough one for Voth, as he missed more than two months due to an elbow issue. He made 25 appearances in the end for the Orioles as a reliever, but producing a very uninspiring stat line which included a 5.19 ERA, 5.10 FIP and 1.558 WHIP.

A season earlier the righty had offered more encouragement in Baltimore, after the Orioles had claimed him off waivers from the Nationals in June. He went 5-4 in 22 appearances — which included 17 starts — and produced a 3.04 ERA, 3.96 FIP and 1.229 WHIP.

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In this respect, Voth has had slightly more success as a starter in the Majors, with a 4.23 ERA compared to 5.89 as a reliever. Again though he’s never truly reached his potential consistently enough, with a career 4.90 ERA, 4.80 FIP and 1.403 WHIP in the Majors.

In terms of his pitching arsenal, the 2013 fifth round draft pick mostly relies on his 93 mph fastball and 77 mph curveball. The curve is particularly enticing, with sharp downward movement.

Mariners have success with pitching projects

While the signing might be underwhelming to some, the Mariners do have a history of helping pitchers find their form in Seattle. This is particularly true in the bullpen, with recent examples including Paul Sewald, Penn Murfee, and Justin Topa to name a few. (The irony is not lost, that Sewald and Murfee have since moved on to pastures new.)

Fans should have some interest in Voth, given the local angle of him pitching three seasons at the University of Washington. His signing now means the Mariners’ 40-man roster is full.

In this respect, the Redmond, Washington native is out of options, so he will have to be removed entirely from the 40-man roster if he is unsuccessful. On the flip side, if things go well in 2024, then he can be retained by the Mariners next year through arbitration.

Do you have a take on the addition of Voth? Do you remember anything about him from this time with the Huskies? More generally speaking, how would you rate this offseason so far for the Mariners? Let us know in the comments section below.