31. Logan Gilbert

With a towering 6-foot-6 height, an exceptionally deep release extension, and one of the largest hands in professional baseball, Logan Gilbert seems almost engineered to excel against modern MLB lineups. Drafted 14th overall by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the 2018 amateur draft from Stetson University, this imposing right-hander quickly advanced through the minor leagues. By May 2021, he secured a permanent place in the major league rotation, bringing intense competitiveness and a high-velocity arsenal that quickly made him a key figure in the franchise’s pitching core.

Gilbert’s early years in the Emerald City were marked by quick adaptation and outstanding durability. After a 6–5 rookie season, he made a significant developmental jump in 2022, leveraging a fiery four-seam fastball to achieve a 13–6 record with a 3.20 ERA. His consistent performance under pressure was crucial to a historic team that ended Seattle's 21-year postseason drought. He confirmed his breakthrough with another 13-win season in 2023, becoming one of the most dependable young pitchers in the American League.

His standout achievement in efficiency came during a remarkable 2024 season, where he played at a top-tier superstar level. Despite a weak offensive team that resulted in a 9–12 record, Gilbert was virtually unhittable. He led the majors with 208.2 innings pitched and had an outstanding 0.887 WHIP, the best in baseball. His skill in handling critical moments earned him his first All-Star selection and a sixth-place finish in the American League Cy Young Award voting.

Gilbert, the Mariners' undisputed Opening Day starter, faced a challenging 2025 season after a right elbow flexor strain sidelined him for seven weeks during spring training. Upon returning in mid-June, the tall right-hander adapted his pitching approach, trading some endurance for a more aggressive, high-strikeout style. He relied on an elite, missing-barrel splitter and a career-high 35.3% slider usage, enabling him to strike out a career-best 32.3% of batters—a feat highlighted by a seven-inning, 13-strikeout performance against Oakland on August 24. He finished the regular season with a 6–6 record, a 3.44 ERA, and 173 strikeouts in 131 innings. He carried this momentum into October, earning a key victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the ALDS, helping Seattle’s deep postseason run.

Heading into 2026, Gilbert might still be ahead of him.