By Paul L. Taylor Posted on

Seattle Mariners: 5 takeaways from the start to spring training

With Cactus League play now underway for the Seattle Mariners, we take a look at some facts and figures from spring training.

It’s been a challenging offseason for the Seattle Mariners, with lots of uncertainty surrounding what would be done to strengthen the roster and the challenge for a first ever World Series berth. In the end Jerry Dipoto, Justin Hollander and company were able to bring in some valuable additions, including Mitch Garver and Gregory Santos.

Saturday saw the Mariners start their Cactus League schedule with a game versus the Chicago White Sox. Here are five takeaways from the beginning to spring training:

1) Roster makeup

Of the current Seattle Mariners 40-man roster, 24 were with the organization last season, with only Jonatan Clase not seeing any Major League action. Of the 16 remaining players, Mitch Haniger and Levi Stoudt were previously with the organization.

At the time of posting the Mariners’ spring training roster is at 74 players, which includes 34 non-roster invitees. This breaks down as 36 pitchers — 21 on the 40-man roster and 15 non-roster invitees — and 38 position players — 19 on the 40-man-roster and 19 non-roster invitees.

2) Ties to the Seattle Mariners

Sporting schedules can sometimes have some interesting quirks, even during spring training. In this respect, each of the Mariners’ first four opponents are managed by people who have ties to their organization.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol spent 13 years for the Mariners, including working on their Major League staff in 2010, while Guardians manager Stephen Vogt worked as Seattle’s bullpen and quality control coach last year. Reds manager David Bell played infield with the Mariners between 1998 and 2001, and Giants manager Bob Melvin began his managerial career with two years in Seattle.

3) Almost a no-hitter

Monday’s matchup with the Cincinnati Reds saw the Mariners win their first game of spring training, 2-0. However, the game was also notable for Scott Servais’ team going 7.2 innings before giving up their first hit.

The pitching staff on the day comprised of Luis Castillo (2.0 innings pitched), Austin Voth (2.0 IP), Heath Hembree (1.0 IP), Ty Buttrey (1.0 IP), Joey Krehbiel (1.0 IP) and Reid VanScoter (2.0 IP). VanScoter had four of the pitching staff’s nine combined strikeouts, while Castillo allowed the only walk.

4) Upcoming pitchers

Here is a look at the probable pitchers the Mariners will use in the coming days. Please note however, that all are subject to change:

Feb. 27 vs. San Francisco Giants: George Kirby, Cory Abbott, Tyson Miller, Carlos Vargas, Trent Thornton, Tayler Saucedo

Feb. 28 vs. Kansas City Royals: Logan Gilbert, Marcelo Perez, Jackson Kowar, Collin Snider, Mauricio Llovera, Travis Kuhn

Feb. 29 vs. Chicago White Sox: Bryce Miller, Andrés Muñoz, Gabe Speier, Cody Bolton, Kirby Snead, Sean Poppen, Holden Laws

5) A playoff favorite

The Seattle Mariners have one of the best overall rosters in the Majors, to the point where they are currently projected by FanGraphs to make the postseason. At the time of posting, FanGraphs gives them a 60.2 percent of qualifying for the playoffs, which are the fifth-best odds in the AL.

The Hoston Astros (87.4 percent), New York Yankees (74.9 percent) and Minnesota Twins 64.6 percent) are projected as the three AL division winners. The Tampa Bay Rays (61.1 percent) and Baltimore Orioles (51.1 percent) are tabbed as the other two wild card teams, while the current World Series champion Texas Rangers (35.9 percent) are noteworthy for only having the eighth-best playoff odds in the AL.

What are your early thoughts regarding spring training? What has stood out for you so far — whether good or bad — for the Seattle Mariners? Let us know in the comments section below.

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