Gilbert learning from -- and trying to be -- the best

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- In a rotation headlined by Luis Castillo and Robbie Ray, it could be easy for a pitcher like Logan Gilbert to fly under the radar.

One is a two-time All-Star whose move to the Mariners has proven to be one of the best pickups of last year’s Trade Deadline. The other won the American League Cy Young Award the season before he joined Seattle.

In the midst of Gilbert’s first full Spring Training working alongside those top Major League arms, the 25-year-old right-hander is cognizant of how beneficial it is to have them as examples to learn from on a daily basis.

“I learn a ton from those guys,” Gilbert said after the Mariners’ 2-2 tie with the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Camelback Ranch. “They’re great, to set the example and follow in their footsteps. Going into my third year now, I’m trying to be one of those guys.

“I want to play here as long as possible and be someone that the team can count on. So I see myself like that, and hopefully, I’d love for my career to go the way theirs are going. They’re doing something right.”

In his second Cactus League start, Gilbert tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out two. With the caveat that results aren’t as important as the work in Spring Training, his outing was a considerable improvement over his spring debut last Thursday against the Padres.

Gilbert didn’t make it out of the second inning in that first start against a loaded San Diego lineup, giving up three runs and walking two batters in 1 2/3 frames. He fared far better against the Dodgers’ lineup, albeit one that was missing several key contributors due to the World Baseball Classic.

“I thought Logan tonight was really good,” said manager Scott Servais. “He threw a couple split fingers, got a strikeout on a split. The fastball was up to 97 [mph]. That’s Logan Gilbert. … Fastball had really good life tonight, and he got all of his pitches working. So keep building on that one, and we’ll go from there.”

Though Gilbert will likely be the No. 3 starter for the Mariners, a team with much higher aspirations entering this season, his focus is on how he can be most valuable when it’s his turn on the mound.

“[I’m] just building that intensity, building the innings,” Gilbert said. “I think we did a pretty good job mixing it up tonight and trying out different looks. Behind in the count, ahead in the count -- different things that I’ll hopefully be able to do this season and try to be a little more unpredictable.”

Alberto almost hits a game-winner
After trading zeros on the scoreboard throughout the night, it appeared as though the Dodgers’ breakthrough in the bottom of the eighth would prove decisive.

Alberto Rodriguez, the Mariners’ No. 28 prospect per MLB Pipeline, turned that on its head in the next half-inning. With Seattle down to its final strike of the ballgame, Rodriguez laced a line drive to center field that hit the screen atop the wall.

At first, the hit was ruled a triple, a result that still would have tied the game. But after an umpires’ conference, Rodriguez was awarded a go-ahead two-run homer.

“He’s gotten a couple of big hits late in games, which is good for him and good for his confidence,” Servais said. “He’s got some sock in the bat. He’s not afraid. He’s going to let it rip when he’s up there, and he had a really good at-bat. It’s a big home run. Good for him.

“Those at-bats, even though they’re in Spring Training games, are huge for young players getting confidence at this level. So it’s really, really good to see.”

Hancock cooks in relief role
Another one of Seattle’s top prospects, Emerson Hancock, continued his strong start to camp, twirling two innings of scoreless ball against Los Angeles. Rated as the second-best pitching prospect in the club’s system (No. 4 on the Top 30 list), the 23-year-old righty followed Gilbert and maneuvered around a pair of walks while also striking out a pair.

“He’s throwing the ball better than I think he has at any point as a Mariner,” Servais said. “The velocity, the changeup was really good. He’s young; it got away from him a little bit there, but he pitched out of a tough jam. … So again, another nice outing for him.”