Matt Brash, Mariners relief pitcher, is growing accustomed to the change-up pitch.
ARLINGTON, Texas – Josh Smith was left baffled after witnessing the final pitch Matt Brash tossed in the ninth inning on Friday night. The puzzled look on his face was not surprising—no one had seen this pitch coming.
In a tie game with the winning run on second base, Cal Raleigh called out for a changeup, and Brash delivered a masterful pitch that caught Smith swinging for strike three. This pivotal moment encapsulated Brash's growing comfort with his newest weapon—a pitch he hadn't relied on extensively since his Tommy John surgery.
Friday's game was just one of numerous instances where Brash employed his changeup to great effect. Over the past 12 innings in the Mariners' 7-6 victory, the pitching staff threw a whopping 181 pitches. But the changeup Brash tossed to Smith stands out as a game-changing moment, signifying Brash's evolving repertoire and growing confidence with the pitch.
"I feel like it's come a long way, and I think it's a really good weapon," Brash admitted after the game. "I'm just really happy with it."
Brash's dominance in high-pressure situations led him to set a new franchise record with 18 consecutive scoreless appearances. This achievement surpassed the previous marks set by teammates Andrés Muñoz and Marc Rzepczynski.
The changeup Brash threw to Smith was merely one of four he used in the ninth inning on Friday, and he deployed six more in Saturday's game. These instances underscore Brash's growing familiarity with the pitch.
During his downtime while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Brash began experimenting with the idea of adding the changeup to his arsenal. While he had thrown the pitch occasionally during his college days, it took a back seat to his fastball and breaking stuff upon entering professional baseball.
The catalyst for Brash's changeup epiphany was fellow pitcher Andrés Muñoz, who toyed with a kick changeup during spring training. Brash also observed other pitchers who transitioned from starters to relievers adopt the changeup in their arsenal, recognizing its potential as a valuable addition.
Although the changeup won't be a regular feature in his repertoire, Brash sees its potential as a powerful weapon in specific situations.
"I think what I did with it [Friday] was really good. Smith had never seen it before," Brash explained. "I threw a good one to [Sam] Haggerty that he didn't swing at. I think it's just a good mix."
Strengthening the Mariners' Bullpen
In an effort to bolster their bullpen, the Mariners promoted right-hander Juan Burgos from Triple-A Tacoma and designated Zach Pop for assignment prior to Saturday's game.
Burgos demonstrated impressive control during his stints in the minor leagues, allowing just two earned runs in 29 innings. He'll make his major league debut if he's called upon to pitch.
Meanwhile, Pop struggled in his four appearances for the Mariners, surrendering seven earned runs, six hits, and two home runs in a single inning during his last outing against Minnesota.
Another right-hander on the horizon is Collin Snider, who is nearing a return from a right forearm flexor strain that landed him on the injured list. Snider threw a simulated game on Friday, and he's scheduled to either face live hitters on Monday or begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday.
Snider appeared in 24 games prior to hitting the IL, and his anticipated return will further beef up the already formidable Mariners' bullpen.
Source: Seattle Times Sports, MLB Statcast
Morale Boost for the Mariners: The addition of the changeup has likely played a significant role in Brash's impressive performance this season, keeping hitters off balance and leading to strong overall pitching metrics. Key indicators of Brash's improved performance include:
-since returning from injury, Brash sports a strong 1.98 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 13.2 innings, demonstrating effective pitching and reduced baserunners allowed[2].-he's become a reliable bullpen arm, sharing the lead with 14 appearances over the past 30 days and recording multiple holds and saves in crucial moments[2][5].-game logs show Brash replacing other pitchers effectively, such as in the June 20 game against the Cubs, where he recorded a groundout in a relief appearance[3].-the Mariners' bullpen depth, which includes Brash, has been crucial as the team has dealt with injured rotation members and players, highlighting the importance of Brash's expanded pitch mix[4].
In conclusion, the inclusion of the changeup in Brash's pitch mix has likely played a pivotal role in his success during the 2025 season, keeping hitters off balance and enhancing his status as a dependable bullpen option for the Mariners.
- The Kraken, Matt Brash's game-changing pitch, was on display in Seattle's sports scene as it helped the Mariners secure a victory.
- Brash's dominance with the changeup has been a boon for the Mariners' sports team, leading to key moments and strengthening the baseball team's MLB bullpen.
- As the Mariners continue to improve their sports team with new additions like Juan Burgos, Brash's evolution with the Kraken changeup remains a pivotal factor in the team's success on the field.
