Brash to be called up by Mariners

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Canadian right-hander Matt Brash will be added to the Seattle Mariners’ roster prior to today’s game with the Oakland A’s, according to a report from Ryan Divish, of The Seattle Times.

Brash, a Kingston, Ont., native, had been spotted in the Mariners’ clubhouse yesterday which had sparked speculation about his promotion.

The 23-year-old Canuck will likely pitch in relief in today’s contest.

Brash has enjoyed a breakout season in the Mariners’ minor league ranks after he was acquired from the San Diego Padres last September. A fourth-round pick of the Pads in 2019, Brash is a combined 6-4 with a 2.31 ERA in 20 appearances (19 starts) between High A and double-A this season.

Most impressive, however, is his 142 strikeouts in 97 1/3 innings. As a reward, the Niagara College alum has cracked Baseball America’s Top 100 MLB prospects list for the first time (He’s No. 100).

Brash, a Kingston Thunder grad, is set to become the 16th Canadian to play in the major leagues this season. He will also become the first player from Kingston to play in the major leagues.

The 6-foot-1 right-hander, who was named the MAAC Pitcher of the Year in 2019, made his professional debut with the Padres’ Low-A Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Midwest League in 2019. In four relief appearances with the TinCaps, he allowed just one run and struck out six in 4 1/3 innings. He also hurled a scoreless inning for the Padres in the Rookie ball Arizona League.

When he was selected in the 2019 MLB draft, Brash became just the second player from Kingston to be drafted. Right-hander Jonnie Mazzeo was chosen in the 41st round by the Montreal Expos in 1999.