Lookout Landing - All PostsMariners baseball support group meets here, Tuesdays and all the other days too.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50775/ll-fav.png2024-03-18T16:02:38-07:00http://www.lookoutlanding.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T16:02:38-07:002024-03-18T16:02:38-07:00Mariners throw singles party in Surprise, defeat Rangers 9-5
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ja0KL6YuFxHEQlGJHfy5KzJ9AI8=/1x0:2613x1741/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216613/usa_today_22806859.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Canzone homers again, Mariners stack singles to win against their AL West rivals</p> <p id="p9STo8">Today the Mariners traveled to Surprise, land of retirement communities and strip malls, to take on the reigning <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> Champions, the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a>. Both teams ran out lesser versions of their full-strength lineups, but the end result was similar to what we’ve seen from both teams this spring: lots of offense, a little less pitching, and an eventual 9-5 win for the visiting Mariners.</p>
<p id="IPnM8Z">It wasn’t the most scintillating pitching matchup, with Tyson Miller stepping in for Bryce Miller, who pitched on the backfields today rather than giving the Rangers an extra look at him and his new bag of tricks. Meanwhile, Seattle-born former Mariner Adrian Sampson made the start for Texas, and the Mariners got to him early: J.P. Crawford led off the game with a double, Cal Raleigh singled to bring home J.P., and then Dominic Canzone sent this baseball to live in a retirement community down the road:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> Canzone crush <a href="https://t.co/K70IkuKY5H">pic.twitter.com/K70IkuKY5H</a></p>— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mariners/status/1769821805605191695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="AJhucU">Tyson Miller pitched two clean innings, working around a sun double and getting helped out by Cade Marlowe making a difficult play on a ball hit deep over his head in center; he struck out two, both on the slider. But the Rangers took a 4-3 lead against Brett de Geus, who struggled against his former team; the Rangers were ultra-aggressive against de Geus, who threw four pitches total to the first four batters, resulting in a hit by pitch, flyout, Baltimore chop base hit, and RBI single, all on the sinker. The next three batters reached via ground rule double, walk and RBI single before de Geus was able to get Davis Wendzel to ground into a double play. de Geus’s stuff remains nasty but he struggled to command it today.</p>
<p id="zIRSmW">The Mariners tied it up in the fourth with some small ball: Luke Raley (yay!) and Cade Marlowe singled, Brian Anderson walked to load the bases, and after a fielder’s choice out at home, the run eventually scored on a wild pitch. Whatever works. J.P. Crawford then came through with a two-run, line-drive single to give the Mariners a 6-4 advantage. With two outs.</p>
<p id="OvjQv2">Ryne Stanek made his Mariner debut and looked about as big and nasty as advertised, sitting between 97-99 on the fastball, which he threw almost exclusively. It wasn’t a clean inning: he gave up a base hit, and needed an exceptional diving play by Raley in right to clear the inning—but he also struck out Justin Foscue swinging after 97.</p>
<p id="IqcDph">The Rangers got a run back in the bottom of the fifth when Adolis García pounced on the first pitch he saw from Joey Krehbiel, but the Mariners—now playing mostly their reserves— took that run back again with some more small ball off Austin Pruitt, who they touched up for four singles (the RBI coming on a parachute shot into left from Michael Papierski). Another run scored on a Canzone sac fly to make it 8-5 Mariners. </p>
<p id="B5KkBV">Hard-throwing prospect Troy Taylor worked the bottom of the sixth. Taylor lit up the radar gun at Surprise, touching 98 at times, but the Rangers were generally able to get the bat on it, with a groundout, a line drive base hit, and a deep flyout on the pitch. Taylor also struggled to command his slider, which sometimes slid a little too far to be tempting to hitters, although he did get some ugly empty swings on it when it was going where he wanted it to; he utterly baffled Blaine Crim with the pitch, striking him out on the slider.</p>
<p id="EDSD3K">The Mariners added another run in the eighth as Nick Solak got a little revenge on his old team with an RBI double deep into the gap;; that scored Michael Papierski, who was on base again because that seems to be all Ol’ Mikey Papps does. We will forgive Solak for ruining the theme of the day being “hot singles near Surprise.” </p>
<p id="YwNSr4">A side of fries for all these singles:</p>
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<li id="0KrsfW">Josh Rojas worked the World’s Longest Walk off Jacob Latz (12 pitches!) before Raleigh flew out to end the inning.</li>
<li id="7Us5RU">In the sixth Axel Sanchez recorded his first hit in a big-league spring training game, a sharply hit ball to the left side of the infield that the shortstop couldn’t corral (everything is ruled a hit in spring, but this was legitimately a hit). Yay, Axel, who also did this: </li>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Axel Sanchez showing why his nickname is "La Escoba" ("The Broom") <a href="https://t.co/A9iQYNfro1">pic.twitter.com/A9iQYNfro1</a></p>— Lookout Landing (@LookoutLanding) <a href="https://twitter.com/LookoutLanding/status/1769851764306829515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<li id="fPoHGp">Also in the sixth with two outs, Alberto Rodríguez worked a walk to load the baes again. Hooray for improved patience at the plate for Berto.</li>
<li id="aCx8xq">Jordan Holloway, who was the recipient of that nice defensive play by Sanchez, worked a very fast 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. Sean Poppen did the hero’s work of pitching two clean innings at the end of a spring training game staffed mostly by single-A players, including one wearing a jersey with “00” ( Mariners Bill Knight), and sending everyone home on time. It might be a party, but it’s still Surprise, and the sidewalks roll up promptly at 5.</li>
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https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2024/3/18/24105192/mariners-throw-singles-party-in-surprise-defeat-rangers-9-5Kate Preusser2024-03-18T10:36:34-07:002024-03-18T10:36:34-07:00Mariners Spring Training Game #24, 3/18/24: SEA at TEX
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>An early spring matchup against an AL West rival</p> <p id="UzMFUw">It’s the final week of spring training in Peoria before the team heads out to San Diego for a pair of exhibition games and then onwards to the home opener in Seattle on the 28th. The Mariners are not bringing their full A-squad to Surprise, although Cal Raleigh is getting back-to-back work. The team is also opting to skip Bryce Miller’s scheduled start, giving the Rangers one less look at him; he’ll pitch a simulated game on the back fields in Peoria. This will be a major audition day for the bullpen—and not just the big-league bullpen, but the order of operations for Tacoma, as well. Also of note: Ryne Stanek is scheduled to make his first outing as a Mariner.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back at it in Surprise <a href="https://t.co/DhtnH2Miq0">pic.twitter.com/DhtnH2Miq0</a></p>— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mariners/status/1769755840867713451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="w9DsDt">Meanwhile, the Rangers are also going with the half-and-half style lineup, with the top of the lineup featuring regulars including the perpetually-dangerous Evan Carter, with Semien at the top of the lineup and Adolis García batting cleanup; top prospect Wyatt Langford will hit third, if you’re up for a frightening glimpse at the future. Former Mariner Adrian Sampson will be on the mound.</p>
<p id="5Xyvhr">Game time: 1:05 PT</p>
<p id="cX6zXf">TV: MLB TV (TEX feed)</p>
<p id="LpMLfw">Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports (no delay; show starts at 12:55 PT)</p>
https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2024/3/18/24104844/mariners-spring-training-game-24-3-18-24-sea-at-texKate Preusser2024-03-18T07:00:00-07:002024-03-18T07:00:00-07:00Mariners Moose Tracks, 3/18/24: Logan Gilbert, TJ Friedl, and Blake Snell
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<img alt="Seattle Mariners Photo Day" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kqrkNHxAv6-M1CBHveBzR8M5WjY=/1x0:5533x3688/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215049/2033215574.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Happy Monday!</p> <h2 id="zWolPH">In Mariners news...</h2>
<p id="CJsE29">A beautiful, seven strikeout outing from Logan Gilbert.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/logangilbert22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@logangilbert22</a> was dialed in <a href="https://t.co/OG66p3248g">pic.twitter.com/OG66p3248g</a></p>— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mariners/status/1769517070071599110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<ul><li id="wSpohK">Julio Rodriguez <a href="https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1773861/seattle-mariners-julio-rodriguez-offseason-meeting-scott-servais/">details his offseason conversations</a> with manager Scott Servais and how they’ve helped him prepare for the upcoming season. </li></ul>
<h2 id="cPK4DJ">Around the league...</h2>
<ul>
<li id="FKExt7">Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fmlb%2Freds%2F2024%2F03%2F17%2Fcincinnati-reds-continue-to-load-up-on-left-handed-bullpen-options%2F73007522007%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lookoutlanding.com%2F2024%2F3%2F18%2F24104518%2Fmariners-moose-tracks-3-18-24-logan-gilbert-tj-friedl-and-blake-snell" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">has a fractured right wrist</a>, and will miss an extended period of time, including 2024 Opening Day. </li>
<li id="D9BE4g">Although the Houston Astros <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/astros-reportedly-long-shots-to-land-blake-snell.html">have been in strong pursuit</a> of free agent pitcher Blake Snell, the team is now reportedly not the favorite to land Snell, with the San Francisco Giants emerging as a new frontrunner. </li>
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<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/joey-votto-homers-in-first-spring-training-at-bat-with-blue-jays">In his Toronto Blue Jays debut</a>, first baseman Joey Votto homered on the first pitch he saw, aiding in the team’s 5-5 tie against the Philadelphia Phillies. </li>
<li id="iG2oDI">Baltimore Orioles outfielder Kyle Stowers <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-stowers-hits-three-home-runs-vs-tigers">homered in three straight at-bats</a> yesterday, the first player to do so in a Spring Training game since former Mariners catcher Mike Zunino in 2018. </li>
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https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2024/3/18/24104518/mariners-moose-tracks-3-18-24-logan-gilbert-tj-friedl-and-blake-snellBecca Weinberg2024-03-17T16:41:18-07:002024-03-17T16:41:18-07:00Logan’s cut and Logan’s run: Gilbert shows off bigger arsenal as Mariners fall to Diamondbacks 5-4
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<img alt="Seattle Mariners Photo Day" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yzF2246Iwv9dZll5xfQQJpbYSY8=/0x235:4000x2902/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214051/2051576189.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Adam Glanzman/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>New pitch, who dis?</p> <p id="qmP3iO">Yesterday morning, Jeff Reid arrived in Nome, Alaska with six of the sixteen dogs he’d left Anchorage with two weeks ago. After 12 days, 11 hours, 22 minutes and one second on the trail, he was the last musher to finish the 2024 Iditarod, taking about three and a half days longer than this year’s winner, Dallas Seavey. But at tonight’s awards banquet, Reid will be given the Red Lantern award. The Red Lantern is given to the final finisher of the Iditarod each year, not as a mark of shame, but to honor just how impressive it is to complete the race at all. After all, nine of the 38 mushers that started this year’s brutal race through the Alaskan wilderness dropped out along the way. The Red Lantern is one of the best traditions in sports.</p>
<p id="AEkJsM">It’s in that spirit that I didn’t mind the interminable end to today’s Spring Training tilt between the Mariners and the Diamondbacks as much as I normally would have. The first eight innings basically flew by, but A-baller Juan Burgos took more than 30 pitches to get two outs in the top of the ninth, surrendering three runs and the lead along the way and ultimately needing to be bailed out by Holden Laws. With a thunder storm threatening on the horizon, taking the game to the bottom of the ninth was a risky endeavor. But despite Dakota “Less-Than-Super Nintendo” Chalmers needing about 30 pitches of his own, the game did finally end when Ryan Bliss-Me-I’m-Irish was caught looking on a 3-2 heater down the middle. If you think I’m lying about how long this seemed to drag on, consider that the crowd booed when Arizona’s pitching coach came out for a mound visit after Chalmers gave up two free base runners. (Although I have to say that even setting aside that the Iditarod’s having given me a more generous spirit about this, I find the booing a bizarre choice. You know you can just leave, right?)</p>
<p id="KsahqN">It became hard to remember three-plus hours later, but the star of the game was the Never Jolly, Green-Hatted Giant, Logan Gilbert. Facing what was admitedly inferior competition—the Diamondbacks had a split squad today, and this was decidedly their B-game—Gilbert worked his way through Arizona’s lineup like a buzzsaw. His first batter saw five strikes with what I think were five different pitch types, ending with a whiff on a high fastball. Perfect through his first seven batters, Gilbert ended up going five innings with three hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts, ramping his pitch count up to 73.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Logan Gilbert's 6th and 7th Ks. <a href="https://t.co/czC2R5NwmH">pic.twitter.com/czC2R5NwmH</a></p>— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) <a href="https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1769476922407363029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="rMWgRd">But more impressive than his line was how he did it, breaking two bats on his sinker, which he’s playing around with again after essentially abandoning it last season. It’s hard to say without Statcast data, but it looked like it got some decent run on it, which is what led to the broken bats. How much of that was the element of surprise though is even harder to say. Under normal circumstances, I’d mention this at the top, but it’s a Lookout Landing recap of a Spring Training game—if you’re clicking at all, you’re getting to the fourth paragraph—but Logan Gilbert was also toying with a cutter! Kate reports from the press box that it was sitting 91-92, which would be a pretty devastating complement to his 89-ish slider. I don’t want to read too much into its success today. The results came against the Diamondbacks’ B-squad, who didn’t even know Logan had a cutter, much less prepare for it. And the underlying metrics will remain a mystery until he throws it in a Statcast-enabled stadium. But I liked what I saw. Whether Logan and the team liked it enough to have him bring those two pitches into the regular season is another thing we’ll have to wait and see on.</p>
<h3 id="w5G8Eu">Odds and Ends</h3>
<ul><li id="Td3VIL">The Mariners bats pounced early, just the way you’d want to see. Dylan Moore and Julio walked to lead off the bottom of the first, followed by a Polanco double and a Garver single to give the team an early 2-0 lead.</li></ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Jorge_Polanco1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jorge_Polanco1</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/MitchGarver?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MitchGarver</a> bringin' home some runs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TridentsUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TridentsUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/JKWlTzueQA">pic.twitter.com/JKWlTzueQA</a></p>— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mariners/status/1769463532058460667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<ul>
<li id="TePrLs">Mitch Haniger looked great again today, going down to barrel up a low breaking ball on a full count in the fourth. Seeing that swing at work still brings such a visceral living nostalgia that it earns Haniger today’s <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fF_7p93QfXvhW3EzSlu8StMgpbiN0ohyeQuoCDlvm5Q/edit#gid=0">Sun Hat Award</a> (the 50th!).</li>
<li id="5YS84L">Samad Taylor had a nice little game. Early, he stayed with a difficult fly ball that easily could have been a sun double. Later, he stole second and aggressively took third on a ball that the catcher kept in front of him, scoring when the catcher threw it away trying to get him at third. And in his last at bat, he put the hustle in a hustle double, allowing him to score easily on a Ryan Bliss single.</li>
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https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2024/3/17/24104337/logans-cut-and-logans-run-gilbert-shows-off-bigger-arsenal-as-mariners-fall-to-diamondbacks-5-4Zach Mason2024-03-17T12:00:50-07:002024-03-17T12:00:50-07:00Mariners Spring Training Game #23, 3/17/24, ARI @ SEA: Open Game Thread
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<img alt="New Zealand v Ireland - ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup South Africa 2024" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/L-f25hjrxl6MoSpsTlnx57sOpxk=/164x0:2837x1782/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213508/1982627145.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Irish baseball | Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Four leaf clovers and four seam fastballs</p> <p id="3PCgGD">**TELEVISED GAME ALERT**</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Logan's on the bump. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TridentsUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TridentsUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/mTdAk62mpd">pic.twitter.com/mTdAk62mpd</a></p>— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mariners/status/1769385704457740351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dbacks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dbacks</a> lineup at the Mariners:<br><br>McCarthy | CF<br>Andrus | SS<br>Smith | 1B<br>Rivera | 3B<br>Peterson | 2B<br>Garlick | LF<br>Newman | DH<br>Herrera | C<br>Hurley | RF<br>---<br>Walston | P <a href="https://t.co/i9FIPnyafU">pic.twitter.com/i9FIPnyafU</a></p>— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/1769434838392816117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="oqX7fQ">As real as the Seattle’s lineup looks, Arizona has a split-squad game today and they’re sending the B-team to face the M’s.</p>
<p id="UExbEs">First pitch is 1:10 PT and the game will be on ROOT, the radio, and mariners dot com.</p>
https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2024/3/17/24103926/mariners-spring-training-game-23-3-17-24-ari-sea-open-game-threadZach Mason2024-03-17T07:00:00-07:002024-03-17T07:00:00-07:00Mariners Moose Tracks, 3/17/24: Bryan Woo, Eury Pérez, and Yasiel Puig
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Milwaukee Brewers at Seattle Mariners" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vC3tMiip77eS7QacAy7ecNHeo-M=/0x0:6511x4341/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213096/usa_today_22775112.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It’s Sunday, and if it’s Sunday, it's Meet the Links,</p> <h2 id="EskQVq">In Mariners news...</h2>
<ul>
<li id="aoJdie">If the <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/03/16/sports/mariners-wasting-world-series-window-with-lackluster-offseason/">New York Post</a> has picked up on a narrative, you can rest assured that that narrative is dead. It took until mid March, 2024, but the Mariners are alive and well. You heard it here it first.</li>
<li id="7p55Nz">Lost on a dark night? Never fear! Bryan Woo is here!!</li>
</ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a nice guy that Bryan Woo is <a href="https://t.co/NTZ2WdMcu8">pic.twitter.com/NTZ2WdMcu8</a></p>— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mariners/status/1769190420314239462?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<ul><li id="mq4s10">The 2023 Modesto Nuts were awarded some pretty hefty rings for winning the 2023 California League, and they got to show if off to the major league social team.</li></ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Your 2023 California League Champs received some jewelry today <br><br>Congrats, <a href="https://twitter.com/ModestoNuts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ModestoNuts</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoNuts?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoNuts</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TridentsUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TridentsUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/1yJdHoMCQe">pic.twitter.com/1yJdHoMCQe</a></p>— Mariners Player Development (@MsPlayerDev) <a href="https://twitter.com/MsPlayerDev/status/1769173004477673797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<h2 id="bul951">Around the league...</h2>
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<li id="QEBXJI">Marlins starting pitcher <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/eury-perez-to-undergo-imaging-due-to-elbow-soreness.html">Eury Pérez</a> will be undergoing imaging on his throwing elbow.</li>
<li id="CZqyLc">Come for the dinger, stay for the beer vendor.</li>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">STANTON 116 MPH MISSILE! 3-0 Yanks <a href="https://t.co/q9NgZUqHBQ">pic.twitter.com/q9NgZUqHBQ</a></p>— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinYanks/status/1769059468032033182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<ul><li id="G8SN26">Yasiel Puig is still around and still making news, after he signed with Aguila de Veracruz in the Mexican league,</li></ul>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr">Veracruz, me dicen quieren ver campeonato-y pues, ♂️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/apuntenme?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#apuntenme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/regreso?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#regreso</a> <a href="https://t.co/crE2i4152h">pic.twitter.com/crE2i4152h</a></p>— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) <a href="https://twitter.com/YasielPuig/status/1769080599526957509?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<ul><li id="YBCoNl">Former Mariners reliever and part time dog Keynan Middleton will be starting the season on the IL.</li></ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Keynan Middleton will start year on IL. Forearm soreness means 10 days without throwing. Opens spot in bullpen. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlcards?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stlcards</a></p>— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) <a href="https://twitter.com/dgoold/status/1769004133686616307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2024/3/17/24103642/mariners-moose-tracks-3-17-24-bryan-woo-eury-perez-and-yasiel-puigNick Tucker2024-03-16T17:12:14-07:002024-03-16T17:12:14-07:00Spring awakening: Brett de Geus has an opportunity in Seattle
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<img alt="Midland RockHounds v Amarillo Sod Poodles" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cYZC1zvBKwMvEHXU8IMilGIo1Tg=/0x0:5331x3554/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212453/1401958677.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The latest stop in Brett de Geus’s baseball journey is Seattle, where he has a real shot at a bullpen spot</p> <p id="xEUL1V">With the exceptions of first rounders and top prospects, the journey to make MLB is rarely one that runs in a straight line, but few players have seen more twists and turns in their journey than new Mariners reliever Brett de Geus (pronunced “de gus”, if you were wondering). However, in a spring that’s been marked by unusual early injuries to the bullpen and, even more unusually, some shaky pitching performances, that winding journey might lead de Geus right to a spot in the Mariners bullpen.</p>
<p id="vz9GLV">Undrafted out of his California high school, de Geus opted to play his college ball at Cabrillo College, a community college in California. After a strong showing in his first two years there, the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> drafted him in 2017 in the 33rd round—a round that no longer exists in today’s draft—making him the 1,000th player selected that year. However, upon taking his physical with the Dodgers, the team doctors recommended surgery to correct a coarctation, a narrowing of the aorta, so after getting three stents put in his heart, de Geus missed his draft year season. </p>
<p id="KqQGzZ">In 2018, de Geus finally made his pro debut in the Rookie Advanced level, a level of minor-league baseball that no longer exists, working as a starter for the Ogden Raptors. De Geus was impressive in 2019, dominating the low minors and earning a promotion to High-A ball, followed by an impressive stint in the Arizona Fall League where he was named to the All-Star team. But then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and while he was invited to train at the Dodgers’ satellite site, once again he found his journey to the bigs derailed by forces outside of his control.</p>
<p id="tyxWFf">A new door opened when the Rangers selected him second overall in the December 2020 Rule 5 Draft, affording him an immediate opportunity to pitch in the bigs. But de Geus—who had never pitched in a competitive game above A-ball—scuffled, eventually being designated for assignment in June by Texas. Arizona picked him up on waivers, held on to him for the rest of the season, and then assigned him to Double-A to begin 2022, where he again struggled in a 17-game sample. </p>
<p id="ESHSNS">After Arizona released him in June, de Geus would go on to play indy ball for the remainder of 2022 and the start of 2023, before his contract was purchased by the Royals that May. de Geus pitched for Kansas City’s Double- and Triple-A teams before becoming a free agent this off-season, opting to sign an MiLB deal with Seattle for 2024.</p>
<p id="lc3rv1">While not the most straightforward journey, de Geus is nonetheless thankful for the lessons he’s learned, specifically those gleaned from his time spent in indy ball.</p>
<p id="NasFrt">“Learn how to fall in love with the game every day, as much as you can. There are going to be times you don’t want to go to the field because of whatever, but when you can appreciate throwing on the jersey, the little stuff, it really helps you do your best.”</p>
<p id="uMq8DF">As far as doing one’s best, de Geus has real stuff that hasn’t matched up with the results he’s gotten so far. His arsenal consists of a two-seam that zips in around 97-98 with plus command, and he complements it with a cutter that comes in at 91-93. His main whiff-getting pitch is a hammer curve (86-87), and he’ll also throw a hard changeup (87). </p>
<p id="lyNJgN">The stuff has stood out to Scott Servais.</p>
<p id="E2UedQ">“It’s been really good. He has really opened my eyes. It’s 97-98 with sink, really good breaking ball. </p>
<p id="5P4opp">He was very impressive early on, to the point where it caught a lot of our attention, just the the stuff that was coming out of his hand. And he’s throwing strikes, and we value the crap out of that, so let’s give him more chances moving forward...Does he make our team? I don’t know. But if he doesn’t, there’s still a good chance he’s going to pitch some pretty important innings at some point.”</p>
<p id="Apw5xy">After struggling to find his way in baseball, de Geus is appreciative of the guidance he’s gotten from the Mariners organization. While all teams have data, not all of them share that data equally with players; the Mariners, he says, do.</p>
<p id="GCg12T">“They’ve done a really good job in laying out a plan, like how they see the stuff working and how they see the season working out. They’ve been really good at being transparent in that sense.” </p>
<p id="8knJyl">For his part, de Geus is endeavoring to show his new team that he can be depended on, focusing on stringing together consistent quality outings. Lighting up the radar gun is fun and can gain a pitcher notice—not just from the Mariners but from other teams scouting at spring training sites—but, despite the challenges he’s faced in his career, de Geus says his mindset is more team-focused.</p>
<p id="A044Yd">“I want to be the pitcher that helps the team win. At the end of the day, that’s the biggest goal. That’s why you play 162, so you can hopefully win a lot of games.”</p>
<p id="480hDt">Still, he’s aware there are jobs to be won in this Mariners bullpen, especially right now, so he’s trying to continue to make a good impression, on the field and off of it: being professional, taking care of the little things, doing his work and showing the consistency he knows would be valuable to a club in the Mariners’ spot.</p>
<p id="lkZtME">“If they notice, great, and if not”—he shrugs—“I’ll be around this year.” </p>
<p id="PqaKSx">It’s just the next step in a career that so far has been—what’s the word? Interesting? Challenging? Unusual? de Geus smiles wryly.</p>
<p id="TmbLAI">“Still trying to find the right word for it myself.”</p>
https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2024/3/16/24102356/brett-de-geus-seattle-mariners-bullpen-option-for-2024Kate Preusser2024-03-16T16:03:07-07:002024-03-16T16:03:07-07:00Mariners double their pleasure, double their fun, win both both split-squad games
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<figcaption>meeeeeeetch | Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Mariners defeat the Midwest </p> <p id="XmV5t4">After yesterday’s games were rained out, the Mariners made up for it by playing two, winning two, under much friendlier Arizona skies. The squad made up of mostly starters defeated the White Sox 8-2 at home in Peoria, while the reserves held their own in Cincinnati.</p>
<h3 id="pdgPG5">Mariners 8, White Sox 2:</h3>
<p id="klSmzO">Once again, the Mariners’ bats came out sizzling on a sunny but cool Peoria day. They stacked four runs quickly in the first inning, making some hard contact off White Sox starter Jake Woodford with two doubles (J.P. Crawford and Jorge Polanco), a base hit off the bat of Mitch Garver that was smoked up the middle and led to White Sox shortstop Braden Shewmake airmailing a throw to first, allowing Polanco to score from third, and a two-run home run from Dominic Canzone (108 off the bat!) that gave the Mariners an early 4-0 advantage.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Did some damage in the first. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TridentsUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TridentsUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/Vvut6Kz1o0">pic.twitter.com/Vvut6Kz1o0</a></p>— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mariners/status/1769099891958075687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="urRoql">Castillo had a bumpy start to his outing, walking Dominic Fletcher and hitting Yoan Moncada with a slider, but got out of the jam by getting Andrew Vaughn to ground into a double play before striking out Rafael Ortega on a fastball. Castillo’s fastball hung out between 94-96 in the first inning, and he also mixed in his slider and changeup, although he struggled to command both off-speeds. The White Sox got on the board against Castillo in the second, with a double and a sharply-hit base hit scoring their first run of the day. But as is so often the case, The Rock settled into a groove over the next three innings, collecting four strikeouts, walking none, and keeping the White Sox off the bases.</p>
<p id="d8OaK1">In the bottom of the second, fill-in catcher Michael Papierski, doing his best Big Dumper impression, would get that run right back with a home run of his own.</p>
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<p lang="pl" dir="ltr">Papierski power <a href="https://t.co/801hznCeSQ">pic.twitter.com/801hznCeSQ</a></p>— Mariners Player Development (@MsPlayerDev) <a href="https://twitter.com/MsPlayerDev/status/1769104595916103906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="c26sDM">The Mariners added another couple runs off Woodford in the fourth; J.P. Crawford smoked a line drive single and then Julio drove him in with a double deep in the right-center field gap, and then Jorge Polanco singled to make it 7-1. The starters would add one more run, off a Mitch Haniger double followed by a Dominic Canzone single; a passed ball by catcher Martin Maldonado, who I forgot until today is with the White Sox, brought home the Mariners’ eighth run of the day.</p>
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<li id="yP7H0W">Josh Rojas made another nice play at third on a ball hit sharply to him, adjusting on a tricky hop and throwing across for the out.</li>
<li id="K9nZsK">Mitch Haniger is a hit machine. Every at-bat he’s taken this spring he’s looked so in control, even if the end result isn’t always ideal. He made contact every time he was up today, with two hits; in his final at-bat, he got behind Ryan Shaw 1-2 before smoking a pitch to right field for a double.</li>
<li id="2Vef9F">Luke Raley, who has been scuffling this spring, hit a line-drive base hit and threw his arms up in celebration. Congrats for getting off the schneid, Luke.</li>
<li id="dY5O7j">The White Sox scored their second run off Andrés Muñoz, who gave up a leadoff double to Yoan Moncada that the White Sox eventually small-balled around for a run.</li>
<li id="0xr04f">Michael Papierski, getting a fill-in start for Cal Raleigh, had a caught stealing in addition to his home run. Not a bad day for ol’ Mikey Papps.</li>
<li id="BEmMFs">Mariners first-rounder Tai Peete smoked a ball into the left field corner that Burke made a great diving play on, robbing Peete of extra bases. Peete graciously took off his batting helmet and acknowledged the play as he rounded the bases and headed for the dugout. Sportsmanship!</li>
<li id="ux6UCg">Also in The Kids are All Right: Lazaro Montes worked a full count against MLB-experienced Jake Cousins and fouled off a bunch of pitches before stroking a line drive base hit over the second baseman’s head. We love good fundies!</li>
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<h3 id="vBnXQl">Mariners 11, Cincinnati 7</h3>
<p id="L34v57">This game had way more back-and-forth in it than the home game, but because there is no video to be had, we will have to settle for some bullet points.</p>
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<li id="0RkLnW">Taylor Trammell and Ryan Bliss got the Mariners on the board first with back-to-back two-out doubles off Nick Lodolo in the second.</li>
<li id="rQu0Og">After three straight groundouts to begin the game, the Reds tagged George Kirby for three runs in the second, turning a couple of base hits into runs thanks to a Nick Martini home run and a Tony Kemp double. He also issued a two-out walk in the third, which you know must have infuriated him, but he also struck out three over his five innings of work.</li>
<li id="fV8pR2">Seby Zavala tied up the game in the fourth with his first homer of the spring, and then Sam Haggerty gave the Mariners a 4-3 advantage with his first homer of the spring. </li>
<li id="mF18mE">Emerson Hancock struggled in relief of Kirby, giving up a leadoff double to Elly De La Cruz and a game-tying RBI single to Christian Encarnacion-Strand. He then walked Jonathan India and gave up a single to Tyler Stephenson to load the bases with just one out. Camp standout Brett de Geus came in and cleaned up the mess, striking out Martini swinging and getting Mike Ford to ground out. </li>
<li id="TKu0ix">The Mariners took the lead back in the sixth, with a Ty France double that pushed Haggerty, who had walked, to third. Dylan Moore then hit and RBI single and pinch-runner Tyler Locklear would later score on a balk to make it 6-4.</li>
<li id="nDdivC">The Reds then tied the game back up in the bottom of the sixth, when Hancock re-entered the game and gave up some hard contact, including a triple to Encarnacion-Strand, again, and a double to P.J. Higgins. This time it was Carlos Vargas in to clear up the mess, but instead he gave up a go-ahead single to Mike Ford, and then walked the next batter he saw before getting pinch-hitter Alexander Ovalles to ground out to end the inning.</li>
<li id="5Y5y8D">Down to their last three outs, the Mariners reserves came through. Spencer Packard singled and then Tyler Locklear homered to give the Mariners an 8-7 advantage. Ben Williamson and Robbie Tenerowicz then singled, and Alberto Rodriguez homered to make it 11-7. With just one out, the Reds had to go to a second pitcher who was eventually able to staunch the bleeding, striking out Hogan Windish and Harry Ford. Joey Krehbiel came in and got three quick outs, two of them strikeouts, to end the game and secure a day of wins. Fun!</li>
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https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2024/3/16/24103334/mariners-double-their-pleasure-double-their-fun-win-both-both-split-squad-gamesKate Preusser