4 years agoSeattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton asked out of Wednesday's start against the Cubs, instead preferring to work on his secondary pitches in a simulated game. Catcher Tom Murphy, Paxton's battery mate for the three-inning outing, was heard saying that Paxton looked the best he has so far this spring. Paxton is looking to bounce back from an injury riddled 2020 season, when he only managed to throw 20 1/3 innings in five appearances, so it's a relief to have confirmation that Paxton was not scratched due to injury. Now in his second stint in Seattle, Paxton can be expected to rebound. It wouldn't be a shock to see him match his 3.58 career ERA and 9.90 career strikeouts per nine innings, but the question is if he can stay on the field. A full season would lift Paxton's value as high as a top-30 starting pitcher, but he's a risky investment.--Doug Goldring - RotoBaller
Source: Daniel Kramer