Rotation Roundup: June 19

Felix Hernandez: B

It’s looking like Felix is simply a B-grade pitcher this year. He’s had flashes of brilliance – that game against Tampa Bay was vintage King, and his start against Boston wasn’t too shabby either – but they have always been eclipsed by horrible outings, when he thinks he throws 96 again and gets shelled. I don’t see Felix winning 13 games this year, but I don’t see him losing 13 either. I see him finishing the season at 12-12, with an ERA that floats around 5.00. That’s a B-grade pitcher…and seeing as that’s what I’ve learned to expect from him this year – and the rest of our rotation is picking up from Felix’ messes – I’m honestly fine with that.

James Paxton: A-

Pax has slipped a bit recently – although not by much. He still has dominant stuff and is turning to his fastball to induce contact instead of blowing people away, as we discussed in our most recent rotation roundup. Yet that last start vs. Boston showed that his game plan was being recognized, and teams were swinging early as he was trying to get ahead. So, it’s probably time for The Big Maple to shift back a bit to throwing more K-inducing pitches (just for a start or two). James’ next outing is the series finale at New York. If he can produce a quality start, the team will have a decent chance to win – and James’ grade will be most likely bumped up to an A again.

Mike Leake: A-

Last rotation roundup, I asked for Mike Leake to look past his rough stretch and trust his stuff, not changing his approach. And guess what? He did exactly that – and it paid off. Since then, Mike has gone 4-1, and is eating innings like a monster – even last night, when he gave up 5 but still went 6. He may always give up 2 or 3, but the bullpen gets a much-needed rest whenever he pitches. Meanwhile, side note: can you re-member the last time the Ners had a 3, 4, 5 as effective as Mike, Marco, and Wade?

Marco Gonzales: A

Marco’s last outing was not his best – but his performances prior to it give him the top grade that he deserves. For the Mariners to have a #4 guy who is consistently getting into the 7th – if not beyond – is simply wonderful. Marco does not have the stuff that Paxton has (I’m therefore harsher on James), but his ability to be effective with his change-up and 89 mile per hour fastball is simply astounding. Catch this: since we published our last rotation roundup, Marco (like Mike) is 4-0 and has not given up more than 3 runs once (three times over that span, he didn’t yield a single run). For anybody to do that earns them an A-. For a guy like Gonzales to do that earns him an A.

Wade LeBlanc: A

Holy shit, Wade LeBlanc. Where did this come from? Wade is yet to lose a game this year since joining the Mariners’ rotation – and his worst start was one in which he allowed only 3 runs. Meanwhile, LeBlanc is coming off of the most impressive outing of his career, blanking the Red Sox over 7 1/3 in an impressive display of location, keeping some of baseball’s best hitters off-balance by throwing off-count pitches. Praise be to this guy who, for a while, was a spot-starter at best. Now, he’s a steady anchor at the bottom of Seattle’s suddenly very good rotation, cranking out quality starts like it’s no big deal. We’re so lucky right now.

#Pitching