Seattle Mariners' Youngster Making Most of Second Chance with Organization

Levi Stoudt, who was brought back on a waiver claim this year from the Cincinnati Reds, is impressing early on in Seattle Mariners' spring training. He's already hit 97 mph on the radar gun.

Seattle Mariners' right-hander Levi Stoudt is making the most of his second chance with the organization that drafted and developed him this spring.

The 26-year-old Stoudt was a third-round pick of the Mariners back in 2019 but was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in the deal that brought Luis Castillo to Seattle in 2022. After making four appearances (0-1, 9.58 ERA) with the Reds in 2023, Stoudt was let go this winter and the M's re-claimed him.

Thus far, he's making quite the impression and Mariners' manager Scott Servais says he could be in the mix to start games for this team at some point in 2024.

Per MLB.com:

The 26-year-old has thrown two innings in relief this spring, with one hit allowed and two strikeouts.

“We all know that we’re probably gonna end up using more than five [starters] at some point,” Servais said. “You need six, seven and eight hopefully lined up. I do think he helps us at some point this year.”

Stoudt’s fastball is hitting 97 mph and he has a developing slider and split-finger. He’s healthy, he just needs more innings, Servais added.

“We view him more as a starter,” Servais said.

Seattle lost both Robbie Ray and Marco Gonzales to injuries last year so his assertion that you'll need depth in the rotation is likely accurate. Seattle currently has Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo in the rotation, with Emerson Hancock likely checking in at No. 6.

Stoudt could fall in that No. 7 spot following Hancock.

The Mariners open the season on March 28 at home against the Boston Red Sox.

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