BROCK AND SALK

Scott Servais hopes James Paxton takes the next step, because Mariners ‘really need him’

Jan 26, 2017, 6:30 AM | Updated: 9:28 am

James Paxton had a 3.09 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over his last 11 starts for the Mariners in 2016. (AP)...

James Paxton had a 3.09 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over his last 11 starts for the Mariners in 2016. (AP)

(AP)

LISTEN: Mariners manager Scott Servais on additions, Felix's offseason

The Mariners will enter spring training with some new members of their starting rotation, but it’s a returning pitcher that could end up making the biggest impact in 2017: James Paxton.

The tall left-hander opened a lot of eyes last season, looking dominant at times after putting to use some mechanical tweaks that added some serious zip to his fastball – which sometimes flirted with triple-digits – and bite to his slider. Now, the Mariners are hoping that the 28-year-old Canadian can build on last year’s success and establish himself as a true front-of-the-rotation pitcher.

“James Paxton took a huge step forward for us last year,” Mariners manager Scott Servais told “Brock and Salk” on 710 ESPN Seattle. “Pax is in a good spot. For me, getting ready to take the next step is kinda where he’s at. And we really need him, there’s no doubt.”

Servais on M’s keeping youth intact | ‘Now is our time’ | Felix is ‘angry’

Paxton has long had high expectations in Seattle, but he wasn’t able to stay healthy long enough to make a significant mark in his first three seasons. Entering last year, he had never thrown more than 74 innings or appeared in more than 13 games in a season for the Mariners. But in 2016, he was able to make 20 starts for Seattle – even after spending April and May in Triple-A – and finished with strong numbers, including a 3.79 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

Perhaps the best indication of Paxton’s improvement was that he was especially effective in the final two months, although he did miss a few weeks after being hit on the elbow with a batted ball. Over his last 11 starts, he posted a 3.09 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, including a four-start stretch from July 22 to Aug. 7 (when he was hit on the elbow) in which he had a 1.59 ERA and 0.74 WHIP.

Servais said part of Paxton benefited last year from losing weight in the offseason, but the skipper didn’t discount his natural ability.

“He really worked hard last offseason to get in good shape. He lost some weight,” Servais said. “He is not the most gifted athlete, (but) he’s got an unbelievable arm, and he’s really starting to come into his own and understanding his stuff.”

It’s not just Paxton who is understanding more about what he has to offer, either. Servais said the analytics department for the Mariners has pointed out a pretty interesting point concerning Paxton and a fellow left-hander that he has been known to model himself after – Dodgers star and three-time National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw.

“One of the things they looked at – as great as we’ve seen Clayton Kershaw, he’s awesome, great competitor, one of the best sliders … James Paxton’s slider actually grades out better. Just on spin rates, movement, the velocity of it and stuff like that,” Servais said. “Now, he is not Clayton Kershaw, we get that. But the ability that he has and what he can do … he’s starting to come into that.”

Brock and Salk podcast

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
High 56° | Low 40°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 6:40pm

Brock and Salk

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

10 hours ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Nelson Cruz reflects on his time with the Seattle Mariners on Brock & Salk

‘The Boomstick’ Nelson Cruz joined the Brock & Salk Show on Seattle Sports before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners 2024 season opener at T-Mobile Park. Cruz discussed his time with the Mariners, what retirement is like, and whether or not he would bring out the boomstick one more time before […]

13 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

2 days ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Getting to know new Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Howell

What do Seattle Seahawks fans need to know about new QB Sam Howell? What will he bring to the QB room and competition this season? He joined the Brock and Salk show toady to talk about what type of QB the Seahawks are getting. Can he be a piece that helps this team get back […]

2 days ago

Scott Servais hopes James Paxton takes the next step, because Mariners ‘really need him’