There was a time when Justus Sheffield was expected to be a future star. Now, the Seattle Mariners pitcher is waiting for his time to come.
Sheffield had been designated for assignment when the Mariners signed Tommy La Stella. After being unclaimed on waivers, he was assigned to Triple-A Tacoma to start the 2023 season.
Seattle Mariners keeping Justus Sheffield for now
Sheffield had been a key piece in a pair of high profile trades, being sent from Cleveland to the Yankees for Andrew Miller in 2016 before being sent from the Yankees to the Mariners in 2018 for James Paxton. A consensus top 100 prospect from 2017 through 2019, there were some concerns about his height, but he was still expected to be a solid major league option.
That has yet to happen. Sheffield has appeared over parts of five seasons in the majors, posting a 5.47 ERA and a 1.634 WHiP over his 186 innings between the rotation and bullpen, striking out 155 batters with 90 walks. That is just not good enough.
Sheffield has had some degree of success. He was an above average arm as a part of the Mariners rotation in 2020 and pitched well in his limited opportunities last season. He will also turn 27 years old during the upcoming season, theoretically giving him plenty of time to turn his career around.
The Mariners are hoping he can do that in Triple-A. While there is no room for him in the rotation at this point, it is still possible that Sheffield can prove himself. If that is the case, the Mariners will find a way to bring him back.
Justus Sheffield has been outrighted from the Seattle Mariners 40 man roster and sent to Triple-A. They are still waiting for him to live up to his potential.