When Zach Eflin became a free agent after the 2022 season, he was widely respected across the league as a reliable mid-rotation pitcher who had spent seven years overcoming recurring knee issues in Philadelphia. Eager to help him reach his full potential, the Tampa Bay Rays made a bold move in the open market, offering him a three-year, $40 million deal — the largest free-agent contract guaranteed to an outside player in franchise history. Eflin quickly showed his appreciation for this incredible show of faith by delivering what is truly the standout performance of his career.

Entering the forefront of the St. Petersburg rotation in 2023, Eflin effectively managed opposing batters through a combination of immaculate control and an elite, substantial sinker. He pitched a career-high 177.2 innings over 31 starts, establishing himself as a leading workhorse for Kevin Cash. He led the entire American League with 16 wins and complemented this traditional success with remarkable efficiency, ultimately finishing sixth in the AL Cy Young Award voting. In an organization globally recognized for its pitching development, Eflin swiftly developed into a trusted leader within the pitching staff.

He returned in 2024 to provide another highly durable, frontline baseline, logging 19 starts and maintaining a crisp 4.09 ERA over 110 innings through the first four months of the summer. However, with the ballclub fading out of the postseason picture and operating with an eye toward future payroll flexibility, the front office adhered to its signature long-term playbook. Prior to the July trade deadline, the Rays traded the veteran right-hander to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for a trio of prospects.

As a Ray, Eflin made 50 appearances (all starts). He compiled a stellar 21–15 record with a 3.72 ERA and an immaculate 1.08 WHIP, striking out 271 batters against just 37 walks over 287.2 innings pitched.

A college standout at Florida State, Taylor Walls didn't have to travel far when the Tampa Bay Rays grabbed him with their third-round pick in 2017. Since making his big-league debut in 2021, the versatile infielder has given the club masterclass defense wherever he is plugged into the dirt, bouncing effortlessly between second base, third base, and shortstop. While his offensive baseline has historically leaned toward the lighter side, his premier glove is an absolute game-changer that routinely forces him into Kevin Cash's plans.

That defensive genius was on full display in 2022 when Walls led all of the American League with a massive 2.8 defensive bWAR. He backed up those defensive instincts during an injury-shortened 2024 campaign, leading all American League shortstops with 15 total zone runs above average despite logging just over 620 innings at the position. For Walls, his value has always been built on preventing runs rather than driving them in.

The 2025 season provided a highly encouraging step forward. Appearing in 101 games, Walls turned in the most offensively productive stretch of his career. While his baseline approach remained patient, he lifted his batting average to a personal-best .220 and drove in a career-high 38 RBIs, fueled by a scorching hot June in which he delivered 17 RBIs—the most by any Rays shortstop in a single month in nearly four years. He paired that offensive bump with 14 stolen bases and another 2.5 bWAR season before a late-summer groin strain prematurely ended his campaign in August.

As the Rays look toward the horizon of the upcoming 2026 season, Walls stands as the projected anchor of the Tampa Bay infield.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists and consistently look to update them when necessary and based on necessity. As such, we are delighted to present our post-2024 revision of our top 50 Seattle Mariners.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball, we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the American League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles that are not reflected in a stat sheet.

Please note that our algorithm has changed, which yielded minor changes throughout the baseball lists.

Last year, the Mariners rocketed to a hits tart, but faltered in the second half and did not make the playoffs.  The season would still see three new entrants and some elevations.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes

1. Ken Griffey Jr.

2. Edgar Martinez

3. Ichiro Suzuki

4. Felix Hernandez

5. Randy Johnson

You can find the entire list here.

Outfielder Julio Rodriguez rocketed up from #35 to #20.

Shortstop J.P. Crawford moved to #26 from #31.

Pitcher Logan Gilbert is the highest debut at #37.

Catcher Cal Raleigh enters at #39.

The third new entrant is Pitcher George Kirby, who comes in at #45.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.

Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the 2019 draft out of Elon University, George Kirby arrived in the majors in 2022 possessing a level of precision that defied his youth. Rather than nibbling around the edges, Kirby operates with a relentless, ice-cold willingness to attack the strike zone, quickly transforming from a highly touted prospect into the foundational co-ace of a loaded Seattle rotation.

Kirby’s rise to elite prominence relies on a historic command profile. Weaponizing a blazing mid-90s fastball paired with a sharp slider and a devastating splitter, he has built a reputation as the game's ultimate strike-throwing machine. After an All-Star breakthrough in 2023 and a rugged 2024 campaign where he comfortably paced the major leagues in strikeout-to-walk ratio, he entered the 2025 season with a clear objective: to pair his unmatched efficiency with true front-of-the-rotation dominance. He responded by authoring his absolute professional masterpiece.

The 2025 campaign showcased Kirby's surgical precision and endurance. As a reliable force for manager Dan Wilson, he posted a 14–9 record with a 3.14 ERA over 32 starts. He exceeded 200 innings for the first time, pitching 201.0 innings. His control was exceptional: 194 strikeouts against only 21 walks, leading to a 9.24 strikeout-to-walk ratio—top in MLB for the second year—and solidifying his reputation as an efficient pitcher. With a minimal 1.03 WHIP, he earned his second All-Star nod and finished in the Top Five for American League Cy Young voting, showcasing elite pitching.

Armed with arguably the most disciplined command in the sport, Kirby has a lot more to offer the PNW.