Let's Identify 10 Starters, 20 Relievers, and 20 Fielders & Catchers for 2023

By the Hardball via Hardcore Staff, July 24th, 2020

Great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandpappy Dipoto predicting The Great 2018 Mariner rebuild in the 16th century.

Forecasting MLB roster options three years in advance is neither necessary nor productive.  But it sure is fun with a little research and imagination! We put on our Nostradamus hats and pulled out the crystal ball to give you our best premonitions for 2023 without the influence of blackmail, sponsorship, or bias.

Here are the options...

Starting Pitchers

1. Emerson Hancock, RHP
2. Logan Gilbert, RHP
3. George Kirby, RHP
4. Justin Dunn, RHP
5. Isaiah, Campbell, RHP
6. Juan Then, RHP
7. Ljay Newsome, RHP
8. Marco Gonzales, LHP
9. Justus Sheffield, LHP
10. Brandon Williamson, LHP

Relievers

1. Joey Gerber, RHP
2. Austin Adams, RHP
3. Sam Delaplane, RHP
4. Matt Magill, RHP
5. Wyatt Mills, RHP
6. Erik Swanson, RHP
7. Art Warren, RHP
8. Zac Grotz, RHP
9. Dan Atlavilla, RHP
10. Brandon Brennan, RHP
11. Gerson Bautista, RHP
12. Jack Anderson, RHP
13. Elvis Alvarado, RHP
14. Yohan Ramirez, RHP
15. Taylor Willams, RHP
16. Taylor Guilbeau, LHP
17. Aaron Fletcher, LHP
18. Nestor Cortes, LHP
19. Anthony Misiewicz, LHP
20. Nick Margevicius, LHP

Fielders and Catchers

1. Cal Raleigh, C (S)
2. Tom Murphy, C
3. Austin Nola, C/INF
4. Evan White, 1B
5. Dan Vogelbach, DH/1B (L)
6. Dylan Moore, INF/OF
7. Sam Haggerty, INF/OF (S)
8. Donovan Walton, 2B/SS (L)
9. Shed Long, 2B/3B/LF (L)
10. Tim Lopes, 2B/LF
11. J.P. Crawford, SS/2B/3B (L)
12. Noelvi Marte, 3B/SS
13. Austin Shenton, 3B (L)
14. Joe Rizzo, 3B/2B (L)
15. Eric Filia, LF (L)
16. Braden Bishop, CF
17. Jake Fraley, OF (L)
18. Kyle Lewis, OF
19. Jarred Kelenic, OF (L)
20. Julio Rodriguez, RF/LF

These are the players currently on the 40 and under control through at least 2023 along with prospects due to graduate before September, 2023 that appear to have at least a reasonable shot at donning a MLB uniform. Many other notable prospects project for later debuts, including most of the 2020 draft class. Obviously this list isn't a lock, but it should give you an idea of Seattle's current internal options.

That said, half of these names probably won't be around that long. Some will get DFAd, others could be trade chips. At first glance, there's a notable abundance of pitching and outfield depth, including utility players. It wouldn't be shocking if pitching becomes a primary source of currency, other than cash.

Veterans are in short supply here and that's something that will most certainly change. Given the fact that there isn't much in way of catching depth and potential infield regulars, we anticipate free agents and trade-targets to address the lack of a veteran presence in those departments.

With that in mind, here are the internal options we think are most likely to be on the active roster...

Rotation

1. Emerson Hancock
2. Logan Gilbert
3. Marco Gonzales
4. George Kirby

Swingmen/multi-inning relievers

1. Brandon Williamson
2. Justus Sheffield
3. Justin Dunn

Rest of the Bullpen

1. Joey Gerber
2. Austin Adams
3. Sam Delaplane
4. Aaron Fletcher
5. Wyatt Mills
   

Lineup

1. Evan White, 1B
2. Jarred Kelenic, CF L
3. Julio Rodriguez, RF
4. Kyle Lewis, LF
5. Noelvi Marte, 3B

Bench: Cal Raleigh (S), JP Crawford (L), Shed Long (L), Jake Fraley (L), Austin Nola.

*Designated Hitter would be covered by rotating fielders in this projection.

So, we're short a starting pitcher, the regular catcher, regular second baseman, and regular shortstop with this roster. Internal options are certainly possible, but Seattle isn't going to hit on everyone and we feel that the internal options for those positions would serve better as role players. Speaking of role players, the swingmen here represent evolution in pitching. We believe they should be identified/classified a little differently than starters and typical relievers. So that's what we did. Most are capable of starting, but could prove more valuable in an insurance role. Closing is a real possibility for a couple of them.

Some of these players aren't untouchable despite making this cut. We simply aren't going to speculate over potential trades this early. We'll assume these guys are around and the rest are 40-man depth or with other organizations at that point.

The problem, or potential problem, is the lack of front-line starters, second basemen and catchers via free agency. There's one uber-backstop available this coming offseason, then little else before the 2023 offseason. There is one ace (by our standards) under 35 that we anticipate hitting free agency in the 2022 offseason, and one second baseman via international free agency (also in the 2022 offseason). So, trades may be vital to tighten up where needed and leftovers may not suffice, which is another reason we're not speculating over who might go where... yet.

What we would like to see happen (if possible) and what we expect to happen are probably two different things, though perhaps not as far apart as we once believed. More on that later, but for now, let's enjoy opening-day 2020 and look forward to the future.

On that note, feel free to give this some thought and give us your input. Or not.

Stay safe