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MLB: Power Ranking All 30 Major League Starting Rotations

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Feb 19, 2014; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) chats with the pitchers including Doug Fister (58) (in blue) in spring training action at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2014; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) chats with the pitchers including Doug Fister (58) (in blue) in spring training action at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 21, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) covers first base during camp at Peoria Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) covers first base during camp at Peoria Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Seattle Mariners. 4. player. 62. <p><strong>Projected Starting Rotation:</strong></p> <ul> <li>RHP Felix Hernandez (15-6, 2.14 ERA, 34 GS in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (15-9, 3.52 ERA, 28 GS in 2014)</li> <li>LHP James Paxton (6-4, 3.04 ERA, 13 GS in 2014)</li> <li>LHP J.A. Happ (11-11, 4.22 ERA, 30 G, 26 GS with Toronto in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Taijuan Walker (2-3, 2.81 ERA, 8 G, 5 GS in 2014)</li> </ul>. 1st. AL West

Simply put, led by 2014 Cy Young Award runner-up (and 2010 winner) Felix Hernandez, the Seattle Mariners have the top starting rotation in the American League.

Hernandez posted a career low 2.14 ERA in 2014 and was as dependable as ever. The 28-year old pitched 236 innings (the third most of his career and the seventh straight season he logged more than 200) and tied a career high with 34 starts (the ninth straight year he’s topped 30).

No. 2 starter Hisashi Iwakuma wasn’t quite as good last season as he was in 2013 (when he made the All-Star team and finished third in Cy Young voting), but the 33-year old was solid in his third year in the Major Leagues.

James Paxton struggled this spring (7.84 ERA in three Cactus League starts) after getting a late start due to a bruised left forearm, and dealt with shoulder issues that sidelined him for a large portion of 2014, but the 26-year old southpaw is ready to start the season third in the Seattle rotation.

The club traded outfielder Michael Saunders for J.A. Happ over the off-season and the 32-year old left-hander will fit nicely in the fourth spot in the rotation. Taijuan Walker won the fifth spot following a dominant spring performance (4-0, 0.67 ERA in 27 innings across seven starts) and is primed for his first full big league season, and the young right-hander gives the Mariners a very narrow edge over Detroit in our rankings.

For insurance, the Mariners swapped Erasmo Ramirez for Mike Montgomery during spring training and the l25-year old lefty may be the sixth starter when necessary this season.

Next: 3. St. Louis Cardinals

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