Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert has demonstrated his ability to pitch deeper into games based on his strong 2024 season efforts. However, despite a solid pitching performance analysis, Gilbert’s starts this year have been notably shorter compared to last season.
Last year, Gilbert led all major league pitchers with 208 2/3 innings pitched, recorded an impressive 3.23 ERA, and finished sixth in the American League Cy Young Award voting. This season, though, his innings have decreased significantly, averaging just over five innings per outing across 16 starts, totaling 83 1/3 innings. His ability to reach six innings has declined from 26 times to just three, with only a single seven-inning start this year.
Injury and Pitch Count Factors Affecting Game Duration
Gilbert’s shorter outings followed a nearly two-month absence earlier this year due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. Despite this, he has maintained similar pitch counts per start, averaging around 90.7 pitches, slightly less than last year’s 92.2. This indicates that the reduced innings are not due to lower pitch volume, but rather how pitches are being managed within each game.
Former Mariners pitcher Charlie Furbush explained the underlying factors during an interview with Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob. According to Furbush, a key to Gilbert’s performance issues relates to the control and consistency of his splitter pitch.
The Role of the Splitter in Gilbert’s Performance
Furbush described Gilbert’s splitter as a challenging pitch to master, noting its effectiveness but occasional inconsistency:
His splitter is so good, but it can be a little inconsistent at times because it’s not the easiest pitch to control, … You’ve kind of heard him talk about it. If he tries to kind of aim it and place it, that’s when it doesn’t really work that well. And even when you’re throwing it, it’s not a pitch that you have the best grip on. But if you can find the release point, it allows you to throw it consistently.
—Charlie Furbush, Former Mariners Pitcher
Furbush added that Gilbert is experiencing some inconsistency with the splitter on key pitch counts such as 1-1, 2-1, and 1-2, which affects his ability to control at-bats effectively.
But what I’m seeing is just a little inconsistency on these 1-1, 2-1, 1-2 counts with splitters.
—Charlie Furbush, Former Mariners Pitcher
Slider’s Strength and Strategy for Improvement
While the splitter has been less reliable, Furbush praised Gilbert’s slider as a standout pitch this season, highlighting its ability to navigate opposing hitters smartly. He suggested the slider might even be more effective as an out or strikeout pitch than the splitter at times.
His slider continues to really impress me in terms of how he’s able to navigate at-bats and ultimately get guys out with it,
—Charlie Furbush, Former Mariners Pitcher
I actually see it as more of an out-pitch or a strikeout pitch than the splitter in a lot of ways, because I find that he’s being able to throw it and locate it in better spots throughout the zone more consistently than the splitter.
—Charlie Furbush, Former Mariners Pitcher
Despite the slider’s success, Furbush emphasized that Gilbert should not abandon his splitter but instead continue refining it, as the pitch remains a critical weapon in his repertoire.
The splitter is arguably one of the nastiest pitches in his repertoire, so you got to continue to throw it,
—Charlie Furbush, Former Mariners Pitcher
It’s like Steph Curry. You think he’s going to stop going shooting 3s? … You’re going to keep throwing splitters, you’re going to find it, you’re going to land it. I think that’s what we’re hoping to see out of Logan here soon enough.
—Charlie Furbush, Former Mariners Pitcher
Context Within the Mariners Organization
Gilbert’s current pitching challenges come at a time when the Seattle Mariners have several notable developments. Top Mariners prospect Kade Anderson has earned a high ranking on prospect lists, indicating an influx of promising talent in the organization. Meanwhile, player Josh Naylor was controversially overlooked for the AL Player of the Week honors, suggesting Seattle’s standout efforts are receiving mixed recognition nationally.
These dynamics add depth to Gilbert’s situation as the Mariners look to balance emerging talent with continued contributions from their established pitchers. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how Gilbert’s pitching performance evolves through the remainder of the season and whether adjustments to his pitch strategy will help him pitch deeper into games again.
Future Outlook for Logan Gilbert’s Season
Logan Gilbert’s pitching performance analysis reveals a complex picture: While his pitch counts remain comparable to previous seasons, inconsistencies with his splitter have likely contributed to shorter outings. Furbush’s insight suggests that persistence with the splitter combined with strategic reliance on the slider could enable Gilbert to return to his previous level of stamina and effectiveness.
As the Mariners continue their 2024 campaign, Gilbert’s ability to overcome these challenges will be crucial to both his personal success and the team’s rotation stability. The coming weeks may provide valuable clues on how Gilbert adapts and manages his pitches to regain his deep-game endurance.