Mariners add starting pitching depth, give up former first-rounder Alex Jackson in trade with Braves
Nov 28, 2016, 7:08 PM | Updated: 7:41 pm
Outfielder Alex Jackson had been slow to develop after the M's drafted him sixth overall in 2014. (AP)
(AP)
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto moved quickly to add to his starting pitching depth after trading Taijuan Walker to the Diamondbacks last week. The team announced on Monday that it has acquired right-handed pitchers Rob Whalen and Max Povse from the Braves in exchange for former first-rounder Alex Jackson and a player to be named later.
“This move gives us two young, polished pitchers who immediately bolster our starting pitching depth, while adding to our roster flexibility,” Dipoto said in the press release.
Jackson, 20, was the Mariners’ No. 1 pick and sixth overall in the 2014 draft. He had been slow to develop and progress through the organization, posting a line of .233/.327/.399/.727 in three minor-league seasons. He was held back in extended spring training this year, not because of injury but because the new development staff wanted to see him demonstrate consistency in all aspects of his game before moving him forward. He made his debut at single-A Clinton in mid-May and hit .243/.332/.408/.740 in 381 plate appearances for the remainder of the season.
Povse, 23, has not pitched above Double-A but put up strong numbers in 2016, going 9-6 with a 3.36 ERA in 158 innings between Double-A and High-A. He limited batters to a .250 average while striking out 139 and walking just 29, C the Z numbers that no doubt caught Dipoto’s eye.
Whalen, 22, was originally drafted by the Mets in the 12th round in 2012 and was acquired by the Braves along with John Gant for Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe. He made his MLB debut last year, throwing 24.2 innings in five starts and putting up a 6.57 ERA while allowing 18 earned runs, walking 12 and striking out 25. Before his promotion to the big leagues, Whalen had a 2.49 ERA in 13 starts between Double-A and Triple-A, with 44 walks and 112 strikeouts.
The acquisitions of Whalen and Povse add depth at the cost of a young player rather than dollars. It would appear there is still a very good possibility that we could see a more established starter added to the roster before the start of spring training. To make room for Whalen on the 40-man roster, right-hander Ryan Weber was designated for assignment and the 40-man roster remains full.
