Padres 8, Mariners 3 at the Peoria Sports Complex

PEORIA, Ariz. – In an organization filled with talented starting pitching, spanning from the major-league roster to the complex in the Dominican Republic, no pitcher has embodied the Mariners’ strategy of pitching development and performance more than Logan Gilbert.

Since the start of spring training, Kevin Seitzer has been setting his alarm clock for 4 a.m. each day. Most of the time, he doesn’t need it.

The swing-and-miss is simply part of the DNA of Mariners hitters. “They’re still going to strike out a ton,” one MLB talent evaluator predicted.

Between 2023-24, Mariners hitters struck out in 26.3% of their plate appearances, with 3,228 strikeouts in total, the most by one team over a two-year period in MLB history. Further, the Mariners had MLB’s worst batting average (.140) in two-strike counts through the first 128 games of the 2024 season.

When he put on a first baseman’s glove last season, Luke Raley sometimes wondered if he should also take a mask and a stick with him onto the infield. Because he knows there were times when he looked a bit like a hockey goalie trying to play first base.

A large group of fans surrounded Field 2 of the Mariners complex, along with front office members and pitching coaches, to watch Brash reach another major milestone in his recovery and return from season-ending elbow surgery.

PEORIA, Ariz. – His legs felt strong and connected to the ground. The swing, which starts with the legs, was in sync and easy.

Brewers 7, Mariners 5 at the American Family Fields of Phoenix

PEORIA, Ariz. — Maybe it was the chance to watch Cactus League games via free webcast or perhaps even in-person, seeing the sunshine and feeling the warmth literally and metaphorically, hearing the familiar sounds of the ballpark and watching young prospects shine.

On the occasion of the first of three off days during spring training, it’s a good time to try to project the Seattle Mariners’ opening-day roster.