Seattle Mariners Midseason Grades: The Relievers

May 24, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Mark Lowe (57) pitches against Toronto Blue Jays in eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays defeated Mariners 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Wilhelmsen – 25 IP, 4.68 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 0.3 WAR

The third-best member of the Mariners bullpen is currently in AAA, trying to learn how to get outs again. Third-best. Like, he’s been more valuable than everyone save for two guys. Wilhelmsen had a nice start to his season that we should try our best not to forget about, no matter how rough the last few weeks were. He’s been having a nice campaign, believe it or not. I mean, sure, he’s had some crazy struggles, but… we’re searching for positives, okay?! Grade: C+

Mark Lowe – 28 IP, 0.64 ERA, 1.61 FIP, 0.9 WAR

Mark Lowe is 32. The M’s drafted him in 2004, then traded him to the Rangers along with Cliff Lee in 2010. Over the first 280-some innings of his career he was worth 0.7 WAR. Since re-joining the M’s a few months ago he’s been worth 0.9 WAR in 28 innings. He’s legitimately been one of the game’s very best relievers. Want an unsung hero on this team? It’s Mark Lowe. He’s doing something incredible right now. Grade: A

Carson Smith – 36.1 IP, 1.73 ERA, 1.95 FIP, 1.0 WAR

The rookie setup man-turned-closer, Smith has been every bit as awesome as we could’ve hoped he’d be when he broke camp with the team. He’s followed up his incredible September with an eye-popping season to date. He’s been one of baseball’s most enjoyable relievers, and not just because his success comes in a Mariners jersey. He’s going to be a lot of fun for the next few years. Then he’ll give up four homers in two April games and the M’s will trade him for Jeff Francouer or something, and we’ll all be reminded exactly why it is that we can’t have nice things. Grade: A