January 8, 2026

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert entered the 2025 season as one of the top workhorse pitchers in the sport, logging at least 185.0 innings of work in each season from 2022 through 2024. However, Gilbert would suffer a right-elbow flexor strain in April, which prevented him from returning to the mound until June. Before his injury, Gilbert looked like his typical dominant self and was even flashing more strikeout potential, racking up 44 punchouts through 33 1/3 innings with a 2.37 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP. After his injury, Gilbert took a step back, holding a 3.75 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP across 100 2/3 innings. During this stretch, he struck out hitters at a 30.9% rate, compared to the dominant 37.6% rate he struck out hitters before his injury. Despite the missed time and slightly higher ratios, Gilbert finished the season sitting with a 3.07 xERA and a .208 xBA, placing him in the 87th and 86th percentile, suggesting positive regression should be on the way in 2026. He also generated an overall 32.3% K rate, which was the highest of his career. Much of his strikeout production came from his split-finger, which he deployed 19.6% of the time in 2025, a six-point jump from 2024. The 28-year-old also continued to show impressive command, posting an 86th percentile 5.8% walk rate. With improving strikeout numbers, his projected high workload, steady command, and a full offseason to return to form, Gilbert should provide elite SP1 upside and could be had at a discount, going just outside the fourth round with a 36.1 ADP on NFBC.--Andy Smith