Blake Beavan is making a very strong case about why he should become a member of the Seattle Mariners’ starting rotation this year. Beavan has started four games in spring training for the Mariners, posting a 1-1 record and a 2.35 ERA.

Every statistic that Beavan has to his credit this spring is impressive, including a .214 batting average by opponents. He has given up just 12 hits in 15 1/3 innings of work and has posted a very impressive WHIP of just 0.91. Sure, these are all spring training numbers, but they have come against teams like the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers.

Last year, Beavan started 15 games for the Mariners down the stretch, finishing with a 5-6 record and a 4.27 ERA. He pitched 97 total innings, giving up 13 home runs and posting a WHIP of 1.25. Those are pretty good numbers for a rookie starting pitcher, showing that he was already prepared to pitch on the major league level. Now he is battling it out in spring training against several other pitchers to try to grab one of the five spots in the starting rotation.

Everyone already knows that Felix Hernandez and Jason Vargas are the No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers in this rotation, but the last three slots have to get worked out before the team breaks camp. Competing with Beavan for the last three spots are Hector Noesi, Hisashi Iwakuma, Kevin Millwood and Erasmo Ramirez at this point. Ramirez has done exceptionally well in his two starts, going seven innings and allowing just one run. Noesi was also pretty good in his first two starts, giving up just three hits in five innings of work.

Veterans Millwood and Iwakuma have struggled a bit in spring training, but they probably have an edge over the rookies simply because of their experience. If Beavan, Ramirez and Noesi continue to pitch really well though, manager Eric Wedge is going to have a very difficult decision when it comes down to the starting rotation. That’s not a bad thing, and it is a luxury fans have to get pretty hpy about this spring.

More From YCN:

Mariners At Spring Training

Mariners Sign Carlos Guillen

Casper Wells Ready to Rock

Jamie Moyer Offered Contract

Mariners Payroll Breakdown

References:

Mariners_Pitching_Stats

Mariners_Hitting_Stats

Best_Mariners_Of_All_Time

Seattle_Mariners_Team_Page

*Ryan is a lifelong Seattle Mariners fan who never misses an opportunity to attend a game at Safeco Field. He has been attending games since 1985, and has fond memories of The Kingdome, Edgar Martinez, and the historic 1995 team. Sodo Mojo!