Logan Gilbert named Mariners’ opening day starter – here’s why

An opening day pitcher had to be named eventually, and Saturday was the day with Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson starting his daily spring training media session with an announcement.

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“Logan Gilbert will be our opening day starter,” Wilson told the assembled group. “A very tough decision. But you know Logan certainly deserves it, and we are excited about that and looking forward to getting started here on the 27th.”

Gilbert, who is entering his fifth year in the majors, put up the numbers in 2024 to lead just about any staff in baseball, throwing the most innings (208 2/3) in MLB and tying for the most starts (33) while being named to his first All-Star team and finishing sixth in the American League Cy Young Award voting.

There was still thought, however, that three-time All-Star Luis Castillo could be handed the ball for the third straight time with the M’s for what would have been his fifth total opening day start.

“Luis Castillo has carried that torch, deservedly so over the last few years, and that makes it a difficult decision,” Wilson said. “The way Luis handled it is awesome. He is a true professional and he has poured a lot into these young pitchers over the course of the last couple of years. I think he can feel proud as well as Logan takes the ball to start opening day because of the work he’s put into them, as well.”

The torch has been passed with a homegrown Mariner, the first of four starters who came up in just three years, now atop the rotation. A year ago, previous manager Scott Servais asked for leadership from Gilbert, who was a bit surprised by the ask. It didn’t take long for him recognize why he was asked and step out a bit from being the young pitcher he had been seen as in the previous years. Like Castillo, Gilbert has much to give to those around him.

Interestingly enough, the numbers and a career year followed.

“Logan with a big year last year, over 200 innings and a guy that has stepped forward – you want to reward that, no doubt,” Wilson said. “But as we said, you know, ‘The Rock’ (Castillo’s nickname) has been ‘The Rock.’ He’s been so consistent and as I said has really poured a lot into the young pitchers that we have. That’s been him. That’s been his M.O. and he’s the veteran of the staff. So it’s hard to see the changing of that a little bit, but he’s been tremendous about it all.”

Wilson gave the news to the pair together, and according to Gilbert his teammate was indeed tremendous in receiving the tough news.

“Gosh, I can’t say enough about Louie,” Gilbert said, “who he is as a person. I think he’s completely deserving. He was more excited for me than I was. He’s that type of guy. Dan told me and for five seconds probably I don’t think a word came out. I was just like taking it in, and Louie was like, ‘Say something!’ Like, super excited for me and giving me hugs and all this kind of stuff. I mean, that’s just the kind of guy he is. Behind closed doors, he’s the exact same thing that you see.”

Had the shoe been on the other foot, it was likely Gilbert’s reaction would be the same. Earlier this spring, he didn’t appear concerned about who got the opening day start, saying that he believed all five members of Seattle’s rotation could earn the honor on another team in baseball. Now that it is a reality, it was clear this honor holds special meaning for him.

“I think back to high school and college, and it’s like it felt like a holiday on opening day,” Gilbert said. “It’s the first game of the year, all the best pitchers are out there. To me, and I’m an extreme baseball fan so it’s probably different, but I felt like the world stops for that day and everybody just had their TV on and watched the best pitchers in the game go at it. So it feels like a holiday, it always has for me, and I’m sure it will this year.”

It is an honor that was bestowed not just in hopes that it would brings something extra out of Gilbert as he takes another step forward in his career. It is an honor he has earned and an achievement that will be celebrated by the entire group.

“I think that’s what is so beautiful about the group,” Wilson said. “I’ve talked about this a lot – the bond, the camaraderie, whatever you want to call it. This group is a special group of pitchers and they all look to each other for support, for help.

“Logan sort of is the first of that group and has really taken what (pitching coach Pete Woodworth and director of pitching strategy Trent Blank) have talked about, the dominating the zone, and made it his own and has helped other guys, as well. ‘The Rock’ has helped other guys in this process. It’s hard to single out one guy in in the group because this is such a such a close group, and I think Logan is ready. He’s prepared for it and the smile really told it all for me.”

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