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The Seattle Mariners got off to a hot start to the 2022 MLB season, as they won 10 of their first 16 games and were sitting in first place in the American League West, led by a red-hot lineup and some underrated pitching. Since that point, the Mariners’ bats have quieted and the pitching has faltered a bit, as the club has now lost five games in a row, with a surging Tampa Bay Rays team on the schedule once again Saturday. Looking for a jolt, the Mariners have made a huge decision on one of their top pitching prospects ahead of the contest against the Rays, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The Seattle Mariners are calling up right-hander George Kirby, one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, sources tell ESPN. Kirby, 24, is a former first-rounder who dominated at AA this season. Huge stuff, huge ceiling and the Mariners, who are slumping, could use a boost.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 7, 2022
The Mariners have called up no. 3 ranked prospect and right-handed pitcher George Kirby ahead of their game vs. the Rays. Kirby, 24, has dominated at Double-A Arkansas this year, pitching to a 1.82 ERA with an incredible 32:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 24 2/3 innings of work.
A former first round pick back in 2019, Kirby has yet to pitch above the Double-A level, though there’s no doubting the potential for his stuff to play in the big leagues.
Armed with a legitimate five-pitch mix, Kirby will be tasked with holding down the fifth spot in the rotation after fellow youngster Matt Brash was sent down to the minors.
It’s Kirby’s time to shine.