Seattle Mariners Midseason Grades: The Starters

Jul 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Mike Montgomery (37) throws out a pitch during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Montgomery – 55 IP, 2.29 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 0.7 WAR

When I was in college I was a left-handed starting pitcher (for an intramural softball team). During those years I found myself with a strange, strong connection to just about any and every lefty pitching prospect in the minor leagues, including Kansas City/Tampa Bay’s Mike Montgomery. Imagine my dismay when his career seemed to be going sideways, and imagine my joy when the Mariners swooped him up at the end of spring training. I’m not going to tell you “I told you so,” because nobody saw this coming. But, I told you so. Grade: A

Taijuan Walker – 102.1 IP, 4.84 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 0.9 WAR

Ignore spring training statistics! Please ignore spring training statistics forever. Taijuan Walker’s spring was insane, and then he was one of MLB’s worst for the season’s first couple months. He turned it around in just about the hugest way possible, and even in his seven-run drubbing the other day he still refused to walk a batter. He’s clearly got some problems to work through still, just… way less so than you would’ve thought as recently as six weeks ago. Grade: B-