Breaker! Breaker! Mariners Pitchers On Path To Majors Via Breaking Pitches

With a slew of prospects already graduating the farm system and receiving big league service time, the Seattle Mariners are no stranger to developing big-time MLB arms. George Kirby and Logan Gilbert were the last two top arms to make the big leagues, the two have been lights out. Now, a new batch of Seattle’s arms has emerged. While many know of Bryce Miller (an MLB Top-100 prospect), some might not have heard of Shaddon Peavyhouse. The two are at vastly different points in the Seattle system, both can make a statement on the Mariners’ future. Why? The development of a collection of breaking pitches.

When talking of Bryce Miller, the conversation is reliant on his breaking pitches. Miller has a dynamite fastball, a pitch he can locate across the zone with great movement. That fastball, while superb, is not going to determine Miller’s MLB chances. Miller could profile as a reliever. The belief was that he was going to end up as an RP option for Seattle (who have a very solid pen). Miller has taken on the challenge of being a starter. This is in large part to his breaking pitches.

The sweeper pitch has taken the MLB by storm. Miller throws a nasty, dirty sweeper. In addition, Miller also throws a very effective slider, one which many call a gyro ball. It is these pitches that give many the belief he is a starter. I am a bit hesitant to see his short- and long-term appeal as a starter in Seattle’s system. With what the Mariners have currently, Miller could carve a role in the pen this season, as the starting rotation is rather crowded. If that is the case, Miller could excel as a backend RP, thus, killing his momentum as a true starter. The silver lining, Seattle has 3 other names who appear destined for that role, Prelander Berroa, Tyler Dollard, and Isaiah Campbell.

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Peavyhouse does not have tenure in Seattle. The 24-year-old was an undrafted free agent by way of North Carolina and Coastal Carolina. Without giving too much into his backstory, Peavyhouse has the drive to move through the system. What separates Peavyhouse from Miller, a fastball? Peavyhouse has a rather ineffective fastball. When I first saw him during a game in Stockton, the fastball was getting consistent contact. While it did not amount to much in terms of opposition runs, the fact it was getting hit by Lo-A talent so easily, is not a sign of good things. Now, once Peavyhouse mixed in the gyro/sweeper, the fastball was not hit nearly as often. In fact, I would call the pair of sliders his true bread and butter.

While Peavyhouse has some control issues with the sliders ( a lot find the dirt before the plate), the Seattle system has redefined the breaking ball. Matt Brash’s sweeper, a lethal pitch, has been defined as Seattle’s best offering of any pitcher (in my opinion). A player such as Peavyhouse can really benefit from that work. Unlike Miller, Peavyhouse will not evolve into a starter. Could he play the occasional spot start in the future? Sure. At 24, in Lo-A, the development will need to be fast, and that is just getting him into a pen role for the end of next season.

While the two are on very different paths, I believe the breaking ball will link these two to the majors. Miller has the fastball and minor-league tenure to give him a leg up. Peavyhouse has the aurora of mystery, being that nobody outside of Seattle had an interest in him, they get to mold his pitching style. The feather in the caps of Seattle scouts and coaches if Peavyhouse excels. We could end up seeing Miller in Seattle this year as an RP (or starter), and Peavyhouse possibly next season in the RP role.

Image Source: Olivia Vanni/ Everett Herald