Pitching wrap-up

Some promising, much dreadful would be a fair summary of the Mariner's pitching over the 2019 season.  More promise from the starters than the horror presented by all but a couple of relievers.

I've recently written at length about the fine season Marco Gonzalez put together, I won't repeat myself.  He's good and only looks to get better.  And while he is undeniably a leader, I'm not convinced he's an ace.  He's not overpowering or intimidating.  He's smart, wily; he has an arsenal of deceiving pitches, but he doesn't blow anyone away.  He's much more Jamie Moyer, not Randy Johnson.  That's good, with a better bullpen and a little more offense he could have won twenty this year and should next.

Who's #2?  That's the question.  Kikuchi looked like the guy, but he had such an inconsistent season I'm keeping my expectations in check for 2020.  There are lots of theories that try to reconcile a couple of stellar starts with a bunch of stinkers.  Maybe they're all right.  My suspicion since early in the season has been that Paul Davis was the wrong pitching coach to help Yusei make this transition.  He needed a pitching dad, not an analytical college professor.

Felix?  Sorry but he's finished and gone.  Sad, but an inevitable part of the game.  At least it ended well and the organization and fans gave him the grateful send-off he earnec.

Leake?  I'd bring him back in a heartbeat.  A terrific #3, no more, no less.  Out-Moyered Moyer.

Leblanc and Milone deserve thanks for their dependable service.  They are average, very average back of the rotation pitchers.  I don't expect much from either next season.

The new starters, Sheffield and Dunne.  Both showed them good stuff.  Now they need a season of development and all that implies as they discipline their talent to learn how to be frontline starters.  On a limited basis they showed some good stuff.  Sheffield's slider is naaaaassssty.  They aren't ready yet, who knows that they ever will be?  But they are on the right track.

Relievers?  Tuivailala, Altavilla, McClain, Adams, Guilbeau, Brennan, Swanson maybe Magill and Bass, by the end of the season started to look like a real bullpen.  The rest better forgotten.