Tom

Wilhelmsen

Wilhelmsen, who turns 35 this month, split this past season between independent ball and the Mexican League. He pitched for the Diamondbacks in 2017, but he’s best known for his time with the Mariners. Wilhelmsen will finish his career with a 3.53 ERA and 68 saves over 344 appearances.

We’ll be honest: We thought regression was in order for the massive 28-year-old right-hander after a surprisingly solid rookie campaign. Instead, he’s picked up where he left off, posting a 19/8 K/BB rate. Primarily a starter in his minor league career, Wilhelmsen’s 2.33 SO/BB rate the last two years with the big club has illustrated an impressive aptitude for late-inning work. At this point, he’s second in line to Brandon League. If Seattle flips League later on this summer, Wilhelmsen could instantly turn into a valuable fantasy commodity.

League has allowed just one run while striking out six and walking one over 6 2/3 frames since being removed from the closer role late last month. Tom Wilhelmsen has looked very good while converting all three save chances since taking over in the ninth inning, but it sounds like he’ll be back in a setup role soon.

“We’ll match up with what we think works,” manager Eric Wedge said. ''It’s not ideal, but this is where we’re at. We’re not going to name another closer.’' No current reliever on the Mariners’ staff has a save this season other than League, but setup man Tom Wilhelmsen figures to be the early favorite for ninth-inning opportunities going forward. Shawn Kelley, Charlie Furbush, and Steve Delabar could all also get looks in certain situations.

After Kevin Millwood came out with a groin strain, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League and Wilhelmsen combined to throw three hitless innings, with Wilhemsen notching his third save. It was the Mariners’ first no-hitter since Chris Bosio turned in one against Boston in 1993.

It doesn’t appear as though Brandon League will be getting his job back anytime soon. Wilhelmsen is now 5-for-5 closing games in his place and hasn’t allowed a run since May 23. He’s averaged over a strikeout an inning every month this season and has walked just three batters since May 6.

He struck out two batters in the dominating outing. Wilhelmsen has made it impossible for Brandon League to regain his old job. The 28-year-old right-hander has double the K/9 rate of League’s to go along with a 2.31 ERA on the season. Wilhelmsen has converted 11-of-13 save opportunities. He has become a valuable fantasy commodity since stealing League’s gig.

The Mariners used Josh Kinney and Lucas Luetge to get through the ninth inning tonight, with Luetge picking up his first career save.

Brandon League set him up with a flawless eighth. The Mariners figure to go back to League in the closer’s role if he turns in a couple of more good outings, but since he’ll be a candidate to be traded, Wilhelmsen still might be worth holding on to afterwards.

If he keeps this up, not only will he make stealing Brandon League’s job a formality, but Wilhelmsen will make a compelling argument to be Seattle’s All-Star representative. The 6-foot-6 right-hander hasn’t allowed a run since May 23 and has averaged over a strikeout an inning every month this season. Although Seattle rarely generates save opportunities, Wilhelmsen (2.77 ERA) is 6-for-6 closing games since inheriting League’s gig.