Inside Cooper Criswell's Journey: A New Wave for the Mariners

The Rising Star: Who is Cooper Criswell?

Cooper Criswell, a soft-spoken 29-year-old with a gentle Georgia accent, isn't your typical pitcher. Towering over most of his teammates at 6'6”, he admits he's actually the short one in his family. His brother, a former basketball player, stands an impressive 6'8” tall. However, Criswell is not about the raw power of pitching; he focuses on strategy. The hottest throw he managed in his recent three-inning appearance was a 92.5 mph sinker, but don't let that deceive you — it's not about speed; it's about sophistication.

“My dad was a basketball coach for 30-plus years, and he always told his teams, every guy on a team has a role, and you need to know your role,” Criswell expressed, embodying a team mentality that is essential in his world of professional sports.

Pitching Philosophy

Instead of simply over-powering batters, Criswell relies on a meticulously honed four-pitch mix that allows him to navigate all quadrants of the plate. This includes a cutter up, a sinker down, a changeup with arm-side movement, and a sweeper that moves with glove-side precision. It's a testament to his strategic mindset — something his former organization, the New York Mets, perhaps overlooked.

His pitching style, characterized by a low, almost sidearm arm slot and a unique delivery that belies his height, has garnered the Mariners' attention for its innovative approach. Criswell recalls fondly how growing up, he and his brother would perfect their Derek Jeter-esque throws in the front yard, fostering a natural progression to his current pitching technique.

Seattle's Interest in Criswell

The Mariners expressed significant interest in Criswell when they scooped him up after the Mets designated him for assignment. Seattle's willingness to look beyond mere velocity appealed to him:

“Where the game's going right now, I feel like velo's talked about a ton, and that hasn't even been mentioned to me yet. So that's kind of refreshing... you can pitch in the big leagues even if you don't sit 96-97.”

Proving His Worth

In his recent outing against the San Francisco Giants, Criswell displayed why the Mariners took a chance on him. He managed to coax seven whiffs in just three innings, pushing for 19 swings on 41 pitches, while only conceding two singles. His average exit velocity against was a reasonable 81.6 mph as he executed a balanced mix of pitches—cutter, sinker, and changeup all being utilized equally. This complexity keeps hitters guessing and off-balance.

Aiming for Improvement

Criswell strives for precision. He embraced a philosophy introduced by the Mariners on how pivotal first-pitch strikes can transform an at-bat. In his latest gameplay, he managed nine of eleven first-pitch strikes, showing a commitment to not just pitch effectively, but to also dictate the game's rhythm.

“Just trying to get in the zone with all four pitches, really trust your stuff. They're constantly telling everyone—not just me—you wouldn't be here if your stuff's not good enough. So trust it in the zone…Don't try to nibble and pick the corners. Make them beat you.”

The Road Ahead

As he prepares for the upcoming season, Criswell is focused on fortifying himself as a starter. He believes it's easier to transition from starting pitcher to reliever than the reverse. Though he's ready for any role the Mariners might ask of him, the guiding advice from his father echoes strongly in his thoughts:

“You don't know what's going to come, but you're there for the team in any way you can be.”

The journey of Cooper Criswell exemplifies a modern ballplayer's evolution—one where mental fortitude, strategy, and adaptability are as crucial as raw talent. As he steps onto the mound for the Mariners, it will be fascinating to see how he combines these elements to carve out a notable career.