George Kirby’s -5 Net Bases Prevented isn’t just the worst on the Mariners’ staff, it also ranks in the bottom 5% across all of MLB, marking a serious problem for the Emerald City’s rotation right now. You heard that right. Our guy, who’s usually so locked in, is letting runners run wild, and it’s putting our pitching staff in some seriously tough spots early this season.
From Zero to Hero: Gilbert’s Shocking Turnaround
While Kirby is struggling, there’s an absolutely wild storyline unfolding with Logan Gilbert. Can you believe it? Gilbert, who was once the *worst* Mariners pitcher at controlling the running game by Statcast’s Net Bases Prevented, is now the *best* among our starting staff this year. Seriously, check those notes again! It’s understandable if you’d bet against him, especially since he, along with Bryce Miller, has one of the slowest pitching paces in the entire big leagues. Gilbert’s pitch tempo clocks in at 18.6 seconds, ranking him in the bottom 6% of MLB, just like Miller. Slower to the plate usually means more susceptible to the running game, right? But Gilbert’s made a real, concerted effort to clean that up, and it’s paying off big time. He even admits he won’t be a pickoff master, but the results speak for themselves. What a turnaround!
Kirby’s Slipping Grip on the Basepaths
Now, let’s talk about the tougher news. George Kirby’s -5 Net Bases Prevented puts him not only dead last on our staff, but in the bottom 5% of all MLB pitchers. This is a huge surprise for a guy who’s one of the quicker Mariners starters to the plate. Historically, Kirby has struggled to control the running game. This wasn’t a problem for the 2023-24 versions of Kirby, who absolutely refused to issue free passes. Even 2025 Kirby, despite walking more hitters, managed a career-high 26% strikeout percentage after coming back from an early shoulder injury. But the 2026 version of George Kirby? He’s striking out the lowest percentage of hitters in his career, under 20%, while still walking the same number of guys as his 2025 self. That’s still well below MLB average, sure, but it’s nowhere near the miserly rates from 2023-24. More guys on base, and you better believe they’re taking advantage. We saw it against the A’s when Zack Gelof singled to lead off the fourth. Kirby got a flyout, but Gelof stole second during the at-bat, setting up a two-out RBI for Max Muncy. That run cost us, plain and simple. Another run in that inning came on a passed ball by Cal Raleigh. These are killer mistakes that can’t happen.
The M’s just pulled out a tough 4-3 win against the Texas Rangers, and every single win matters in this league. George Kirby needs to find that old self, the guy who flat out refused to give up free passes, and fast. We need him dominating on the mound, not giving away bases, if we’re gonna keep stacking these Ws. It’s time for a whole new level of focus on the basepaths.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lookout Landing.
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