2023 Topps Chrome Update

The 2023 Topps Chrome Update was released in mid-November. This product has become popular because many collectors are looking for rookie debut patch autograph baseball cards. Well, those rookie debut patch autographs are one of one. It’s not that easy to find.

 

Each year, I buy some hobby packs of Topps Chrome Update. Last December, I went to a sports card shop and saw some hobby packs of Topps Chrome Update available. I decided to get some hobby packs, trying to see whether there are some cool rookie cards.

 

After opening the first hobby pack, I saw a Bryce Miller rookie debut card. While seeing this card, I began to think about those rookie pitchers’ performance in the Mariners in the 2023 season.

 

To understand a little bit more, I decided to check on the MLB website.

 

Stats (Pitching, Mariners, Rookies, 2023)
Player	G	IP	W-L	SO	ERA	WHIP
Bryce Miller	25	131.1	8-7	119	4.32	1.14
Bryan Woo	18	87.2	4-5	93	4.21	1.21
Justin Topa	75	69.0	5-4	61	2.61	1.14
Isaiah Campbell	27	28.2	4-1	33	2.83	1.22
Ty Adcock	12	15.2	0-0	11	3.45	0.70
Emerson Hancock	3	12.0	0-0	6	4.50	1.33
Juan Then	9	11.0	0-0	5	4.91	1.45
Easton McGee	1	6.2	0-0	2	0.00	0.30
Darren McCaughan	3	5.0	0-0	10	5.40	2.00
Jose Rodriguez	1	3.0	0-0	1	9.00	1.33
Devin Sweet	2	2.0	0-0	1	9.00	1.50
Prelander Berroa	2	1.2	0-0	3	0.00	1.80
Ryder Ryan	1	1.0	0-0	2	0.00	1.00

 

Bryce Miller made his MLB debut on May 2, 2023. In the first game of his career, he tossed 6 innings against the Oakland Athletics, allowing 1 run and punching out 10 batters. He missed some time due to injury. In total, Miller made 25 starts in the first season of his career, posting a 4.32 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 131.1 innings. Opponents’ batting average against Miller was .248.

 

In the meantime, Bryan Woo also made it into the big leagues in 2023. Woo made 18 starts for the Mariners last year. He tossed 87.2 innings and owned a 4.21 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Moreover, opponents batted .227 against Bryan Woo.

 

In addition, Justin Topa made 75 relief appearances for the Mariners in 2023. He owned a 2.61 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 69 innings. Topa played for the Brewers from 2020 to 2022, however, he never made more than 7 relief appearances each season. In 2023, Topa became an important part of the Mariners bullpen.

 

Meanwhile, Isaiah Campbell made it into the big leagues last July. He made 27 relief appearances for the Mariners, posting a 2.83 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 28.2 innings. But the Mariners traded him to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Luis Urias in November.

 

Finally, Ty Adcock, Emerson Hancock and Juan Then each threw 10+ innings for the Mariners last season. Adcock made 12 relief appearances, posting a 3.45 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP. Opponents’ batting average was only .190 against Adcock. Moreover, Emerson Hancock made 3 starts for the Mariners, posting a 4.50 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Furthermore, Juan Then made his MLB debut on May 6 and in total, tossed 11 innings for the Mariners last year.

 

The Mariners didn’t clinch a berth in the playoffs in 2023. However, their pitching staff actually did a good job. They finished the season with a 3.74 ERA, third lowest among 30 MLB teams. Additionally, they had a 1.19 WHIP, which was the third lowest among 30 MLB teams as well. Looking at the Mariners rookie pitchers in 2023, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo each finished the season with an ERA below 4.50. Additionally, Topa has become a reliable choice in the bullpen. Coming into the 2024 season, it will be important to see if they can pitch consistently throughout the season. And more importantly, can they stay healthy? In particular, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo each missed some playing time due to injuries.