Aaron West is getting a shot with his hometown team.
The Snohomish High School graduate turned a difficult situation into a wonderful opportunity, signing on with the Seattle Mariners organization after being released from the Houston Astros organization.
”It’s definitely a great opportunity,” West said when reached by cell phone in Springdale, Arkansas, where he’s suiting up with the Arkansas Travelers of the double-A Texas League. “I grew up my entire life watching the Mariners, going to games, going to the Kingdome. When they called me I was, ‘Sure, where do I sign? I’m in.’ ”
West, 27, is a 2008 graduate of Snohomish High, most notably pitching the Panthers to the 4A state championship as a senior. The right-handed hurler was selected in the 17th round of 2012 amateur draft by Houston following his collegiate career at the University of Washington, and over the course of six seasons he steadily climbed the organizational ladder, reaching triple-A Fresno last year.
This year West got off to a slow start with Fresno, and he had a 4.53 earned-run average in 33 relief appearances — having allowed 72 hits in 43.2 innings — when he was released by the Astros on July 18.
But though West’s overall numbers were unimpressive, he pitched well in the weeks leading up to his release, allowing just three earned runs over 21 innings (1.29 ERA) and producing a 16-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio since June 4.
“Earlier in the season I was definitely struggling,” West said. “I was giving up hits and not locating my pitches. The last six weeks I thought I was pitching well, I was getting my offspeed pitches down in the zone and putting the ball where it needed to be.
“The (Astros) said it was a numbers game, they didn’t have enough room because of guys being sent down from the big leagues. I would like to believe that’s true. I thought I was pitching well enough to stay the rest of the season, but it’s not my decision. Baseball is a business and I understand that.”
The July release was an inconvenient one for West, as most teams have full minor-league systems following the June draft. West had his agent reach out to the Mariners and other organizations, but was unable to get any offers, so he was busy seeking opportunities in the independent leagues when the Mariners had a change of heart. Injuries opened up a spot with the Travelers, and Seattle sought out West to fill it.
”I left for an independent league team in Iowa, and I was getting ready to play my first game when the Mariners called, so I ran into the coaches office and said, ‘I know I just got here, but I have to leave,’ and then I met the (Travelers) in Tulsa. It was a crazy couple of days.”
West signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Sunday and he made his debut with the Travelers on Monday, tossing a scoreless inning of relief in Arkansas’ 11-5 road victory over the North Arkansas Naturals.
West is expected to remain in Arkansas’ bullpen for now, and he’s thrilled to get a chance with his hometown Mariners.
“It means everything,” West said. “I can talk about the Astros, but the people back home and the kids I work with at camps can’t relate. But if you say you play for the Mariners, they know. It’s awesome to be able to say that. Whatever happens happens, but I’ll always get to say I played for the Mariners, and that’s a dream come true.”
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