Steven Bisig- USA TODAY Sports
Going into the 2013 season, MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo ranked Carter Capps as the seventh-best prospect in the Seattle Mariners system. Capps has a fastball that can touch 100 mph and has been developing a very good breaking ball.
However, Capps has not transitioned these great pitches into success as a pitcher. So far in his six appearances in the 2013 season, Capps has allowed six runs on 11 hits in seven innings pitched, but he has managed to strike out 10 batters.
With the Mariners struggling so far this season, they cannot afford to have a reliever bringing them down the way Capps is. He is very replaceable, as the Mariners have many other power arms that are having success in the bullpen like Stephen Pryor, Charlie Furbush and Tom Wilhelmsen.
GM Jack Zduriencik has already shown that he is not afraid to send down a reliever that had success last season. Left-hander Lucas Luetge has already been sent down to triple-A Tacoma after a slow start, and has been replaced by Bobby LaFromboise.
Capps should be sent down to the minor leagues briefly just to boost his confidence. Possible replacements for Capps could be Brian Moran, who has not allowed an earned run in 6.1 innings pitched. Another possibility is Logan Bawcom, who has a career ERA of 2.82 in four minor league seasons as a reliever.
For right now, manger Eric Wedge cannot afford to continue to bring in Capps in any situation; he just cannot be an effective pitcher. A brief stint in the minor leagues would be the best move for Capps right now if the organization wants to get the most out of him in the future.
