Seattle Mariners: Move over King Felix, James Paxton is the new ace

James Paxton has been good during his four years in the majors for the Seattle Mariners, but never this good. He’s enjoyed a breakout season in 2017, and with Felix Hernandez waning as an ace pitcher, he’s stealing the spotlight.

Seattle used to be Felix Hernandez’s city.

Since 2005, he’s been the face of the franchise. The Venezuelan has been a hero for the Seattle Mariners, spending his entire career with the club, despite never reaching the postseason.

But the 31-year-old, who just hit the disabled list for the second time this season, doesn’t even possess the top spot in the team’s rotation anymore. It belongs to James Paxton.

The southpaw, in the midst of a breakout year, isn’t losing that role any time soon.

Seattle’s pitching staff has had a miserable season, simply because none of the squad’s starting pitchers can stay healthy. The Mariners have started 14 pitchers on the bump this year – tied for most in the MLB.

Paxton is the only one that sports an ERA below 4.00. He’s also the only Seattle starter averaging more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

The University of Kentucky product won his each of his seven previous starts, tying a franchise record. In those seven starts, he posted a 1.59 ERA with 55 strikeouts compared to just seven walks.

While Paxton is finally enjoying a breakout season, he’s been on the cusp of one since he first had his debut.

He’s never pitched a full season, but his numbers don’t lie. He doesn’t allow many home runs and he strikes out plenty of hitters. His only issue has been command, averaging 2.7 walks per nine innings in his career.

Paxton’s numbers in 2017 have been a notch above his career stats. And he’s been one of the better hurlers in the entire league. He ranks fourth in the league in ERA, eighth in strikeouts-per-nine innings, sixth in WHIP and 10th in batting average against.

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He’s clearly been a key reason why the Mariners have stayed afloat in the playoff race, sitting just 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. The rest of the team’s starters have been unimpressive, possessing a 5.12 ERA combined. That includes Hernandez and his 13 starts as well.

With a shallow pitching staff, Seattle’s front office will likely shift their focus, centering their staff around the left-handed pitcher. If Hernandez returns and pitches well starting next year, the Mariners could have a competitive one-two punch. But his time as the team’s best pitcher is over.

General Manager Jerry Dipoto has already made several key trades for players like Jean Segura and Drew Smyly, who is out with a season-ending injury. Within the next few years, Dipoto could make another splash in the market for another pitching piece.

Hernandez may never be the same. His velocity is way down, his stuff isn’t nearly as effective as it was and he’s already pitched more than 11 full seasons in the big leagues despite just turning 30 two years ago.

Next: Felix Hernandez hits the DL for the second time this year

Unless the front office acquires a new premier pitcher, all eyes will be on James Paxton, as they should be. He’s the current – and future – ace of the Seattle Mariners staff.