Rainiers notes: Pitching prospect Matt Brash making quick strides in new bullpen role
Matt Brash is already finding consistency in a new role with Triple-A Tacoma.
Perhaps this isn’t the path he expected when the spring began, but since joining the Rainiers last month following five starts with Seattle, the young right-hander has made quick strides in an early-season move to the bullpen.
Brash has tossed scoreless frames in each of his past eight appearances for Tacoma, and has turned in 10 outings without allowing a run in the 13 he has pitched since he was optioned by the big league club on May 5.
“I’ve kind of just gone back to what I was doing last year — just pounding the zone with everything, attacking hitters,” Brash said postgame Sunday at Cheney Stadium. “I feel a lot better with all of my pitches right now, throwing them at any time for strikes, which is kind of what I was struggling with at the beginning of the year.
“I just feel like myself, just going at hitters, and getting weak contact, and not giving free bases.”
The results have certainly followed for the 24-year-old his first month with the Triple-A club, as he’s swiftly become a reliable option in relief for the Rainiers.
“I think it’s going to be a good move for him, at least in the short term,” Rainiers manager Tim Federowicz said. “He’s got really good stuff, and definitely has some bullpen stuff, and now he’s starting to get that bullpen mentality.”
Brash, who is considered the No. 4 prospect in Seattle’s system per MLB Pipeline, has pitched in a starting role most of his professional career.
A former fourth-round selection by the Padres in 2019, he appeared in five games (one start) that summer, and reached Low-A before the entirety 2020 minor league season was canceled.
He joined the Mariners’ system in 2020 as the player to be named later in a summer trade that sent reliever Taylor Williams to San Diego.
Then last season, when minor league baseball resumed, he impressed at two levels, starting the season with High-A Everett before he was promoted to Double-A Arkansas in July.
He combined to finish 6-4 with a 2.31 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) at the two stops, striking out 142 batters while walking 48, and completed his quick ascent through Seattle’s ranks this spring, when he earned the fifth rotation spot on the Mariners’ Opening Day roster.
Brash debuted in April, allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings and striking out six in a solid performance, and secured his first career win in his second start the following week.
But, he was optioned to Tacoma three starts later with a 1-3 record and 7.65 ERA after struggling to find consistent command, tallying 17 walks to 19 strikeouts through 20 innings.
Those first five starts in the majors were “a great learning experience,” Brash said, and helpful in learning to adjust and regroup through tough stretches.
“It was nice to learn that, and how to handle myself and bounce back,” he said.
Brash has bounced back quickly with the Rainiers in this new role. When he was optioned to Tacoma to reset, it included the new challenge of pitching in relief.
“It took me a little while to embrace it, just because I have been a starter for a long time, but I just want to help the big league team win,” he said. “Everybody kind of let me know that’s how my role was going to be this year, and I’ve accepted that, and it’s been really fun to get to know the guys in the ‘pen and learn from them, and it’s fun to go in there for one inning and throw your best stuff.”
With the change, Brash has adjusted his workout routine and throwing program, but keeps the same mentality when attacking hitters.
“He’s throwing a lot more strikes, he’s throwing a lot more quality pitches. It’s been really good to see,” Federowicz said.
“I’m just being super aggressive,” Brash said. “When you’re up in the count, it’s definitely a much different game and a lot more fun.”
After allowing at least one earned run in three of his first five outings with Tacoma, Brash has settled in well, tossing eight consecutive scoreless innings in his past eight appearances, allowing only four hits and two walks while striking out 12. Five of those have been multi-strikeout outings.
“I feel really comfortable right now with all of my pitches,” he said. “I just kind of wanted to get back to what I did last year, just attacking hitters and being aggressive, and I think I’ve done that.”
As the summer continues on, the hope is to make important contributions in a return to the big league club, but at present, Brash remains focused on each outing with Tacoma.
“I’m just kind of taking it game by game,” he said. “I’m not going to think too much ahead. Obviously I want to be at the big league level, and I think I can help this (Mariners) team win.
“But, right now, I’m just focusing on helping these guys win. This is a really fun team, and I’m really enjoying myself.”
WALK-OFF WEEKEND
The Rainiers picked up a pair of walk-off wins during their three-game series victory over Triple-A Round Rock (Rangers affiliate) last weekend at Cheney Stadium.
When the club returned home from a nine-game road trip Friday, infielder Alex Blandino ended a late-night, seven-inning contest just before midnight with a towering walk-off grand slam that lifted Tacoma to a 6-4 win.
Two days later, the Rainiers rallied from a late deficit again, and closed out a 6-5 win over the Express when infielder Erick Mejia singled in the deciding run in the ninth moments after a Scott Heineman double tied it up.
Sunday afternoon’s win wrapped up consecutive series victories for the Rainiers for the first time this season. After dropping or splitting eight of the first nine series this spring, Tacoma bested both Salt Lake (Angels affiliate) on the road then Round Rock at home in three-game sets last week.
“Back-to-back series wins,” Federowicz said. “It was a grind the first month-and-a-half, but it’s good to see us turning it around.”
SHORT HOPS
▪ First baseman Evan White could return Tuesday, Federowicz said, after a short pause in his rehab assignment with Tacoma.
The 26-year-old, and former first-round draft pick by Seattle in 2017, has played in eight games since joining the Rainiers on May 18. He last appeared during the Rainiers’ road series in Reno on May 31.
“He took a little bit of time off, and now he’s back ready to go,” Federowicz said.
▪ Outfielder Jarred Kelenic missed some playing time last week with hamstring tightness, Federowicz said, but could also return this week.
The 22-year-old former Mariners top prospect has hit safely in 18 of the 22 games he’s played with the Rainiers this spring since he was optioned by Seattle in May.
Kelenic enters the week batting .304/.354/.598 with 17 runs scored, seven doubles, a triple, six home runs, 15 RBI, two stolen bases, six walks and 31 strikeouts in 99 plate appearances with Tacoma.
“He just looks more relaxed,” Federowicz said. “A little less pressure down here, so he’s been able to get his feet underneath him. He’s got a good rhythm going now at the plate, and just looking to keep it going.”
▪ Outfielder Marcus Wilson homered in each of Tacoma’s three games against Round Rock last weekend, bringing his team-leading total to 11, and ranks tied for eighth in the Pacific Coast League in the category.
▪ The Rainiers continue to lead the PCL in stolen bases with 83 on 99 attempts, adding eight swiped bags to that total last week. Outfielder Forrest Wall is the team leader with 20 this spring, and ranks second in the league.
Tacoma currently ranks second among Triple-A clubs in the category, just behind Buffalo (Blue Jays affiliate), which leads the International League with 84.
ON TAP
The Rainiers (23-36) have a scheduled off day Monday before resuming their nine-game homestand Tuesday with a six-game series against the Sacramento River Cats (24-36).
