Mariners' Gilbert Finds Value in Cutter During Spring Training

Pitcher's new pitch could earn a spot on the roster after helping him get out of jams in recent outings.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert has been experimenting with his cutter pitch during spring training, despite his opinionated catcher Cal Raleigh not being a fan of the pitch. Gilbert threw the cutter seven times in a recent outing, getting several weak contact outs and strikeouts. The pitcher attributes the improved cutter to mechanical adjustments he made in the offseason to stay 'closed' and 'more firm' on his front side, allowing him to better control the pitch. While Gilbert is careful not to overemphasize the cutter, he acknowledges it can be a useful third option to get him out of tough counts, and it may just earn a spot on the roster this season after previously struggling to keep it in his repertoire.

Why it matters

Gilbert's cutter has been an inconsistent pitch for him in recent seasons, but if he can harness it effectively, it could provide an additional weapon for the young pitcher as he looks to build on a promising 2025 campaign. The Mariners are hoping Gilbert can take another step forward, and the development of his cutter could be key to that.

The details

In a recent spring training outing, Gilbert threw seven cutters out of 54 total pitches, primarily against left-handed hitters. The pitch generated several weak contact outs and a strikeout, helping Gilbert get through an outing where he was 'spraying the ball around' more than usual with his fastball. Gilbert attributes the improved cutter to mechanical adjustments he made in the offseason, focusing on staying 'closed' and 'more firm' on his front side to better control the pitch. While the cutter has been an inconsistent offering for Gilbert in the past, he believes there is a way to effectively incorporate it as a third option to get him out of tough counts, even if it shouldn't be a primary focus.

  • Gilbert threw seven cutters out of 54 pitches in a recent spring training outing on March 4, 2026.

The players

Logan Gilbert

A pitcher for the Seattle Mariners who has been experimenting with his cutter pitch during spring training.

Cal Raleigh

Gilbert's catcher with the Mariners, who has been known to be opinionated about the pitches Gilbert should throw.

Garver

Gilbert's current catcher, who worked with him to incorporate the cutter in a recent outing.

Scott Servais

Former manager of the Seattle Mariners, who advised Gilbert that the cutter is best used as an 8-10% usage pitch.

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What they’re saying

“It actually proved that there could be a little more value in the cutter than we thought.”

— Logan Gilbert (yahoo.com)

“Now that I'm staying closed and a little more firm on my front side, I can get over it a little better.”

— Logan Gilbert (yahoo.com)

“I don't think that's the goal or the role for it but like we saw today, it can get me out of a couple 2-0, 3-1 counts. I don't want to oversell it—it's definitely still like a third option—but there's definitely a way to use it that can help get me out of some of those situations.”

— Logan Gilbert (yahoo.com)

What’s next

Gilbert will look to continue refining his cutter throughout the remainder of spring training as he competes for a spot in the Mariners' starting rotation.

The takeaway

Gilbert's ability to develop his cutter as a viable third pitch could be a key factor in his continued progression as a starting pitcher for the Mariners. If he can consistently command the pitch, it could provide an additional weapon to get him out of tough counts and help him take the next step in his career.