PEORIA, Ariz. – Justus Sheffield’s search for the perfect pitch has been replaced by a new and more efficient approach.

The club’s top pitching prospect has gone into attack mode.

“That’s kind of been the motto over here, just attack guys and get them early in the count,” Sheffield said. “It’s just mentality because in the past, I have been known to try to make the perfect pitch 0-0 and then I’ll fall behind in the counts.”

Sheffield retired the side in order in the first inning Friday against the Brewers, two via strikeout, and threw only three pitches in the next frame. The only hit the left-hander allowed was a one-out single to first baseman Tyler Saladino in the second. Sheffield finished his day with 10-12 pitches in the bullpen.

“With a number of the young guys, they have good stuff,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Let it eat. Let it go. They don’t have to perfect with the command all the time and trust your stuff. When you have that kind of ability, why not?"

It’s the second consecutive strong out for Sheffield. He struck out four in two innings in his Cactus League debut with the Mariners on Sunday and is giving the club something to think about this spring.

For now, Sheffield is penciled in somewhere behind starters Marco Gonzales, Yusei Kikuchi, Mike Leake, Wade LeBlanc and Felix Hernandez and the initial plan is to have Sheffield start the season at Triple-A Tacoma.

Prospect watch

It took Servais a few minutes to find star prospect Julio Rodriguez in the dugout during the Cactus League game on Thursday.

The gregarious Rodriguez, the club’s No. 5 rated prospect, was quiet and taking in the experience. It’s exactly what the club wants to see from players such as him and Jarred Kelenic, the club’s No. 2 prospect.

“It’s not so much the competition as it is the environment,” Servais said. “They are in the dugout, and the talk is a little bit different than what you get in a Minor League dugout. From the guys’ approach at the plate to what they are seeing on the field. It’s an educational process. Why not start them?”

Rodriguez was in the spotlight again Friday morning, this time against the NC Dinos, a team from Korea, in a “B” game. Kelenic singled and was picked off first base. He also hit a triple.

“This is a great opportunity to show what I can and do, and I plan on taking advantage of every chance I get,” Rodriguez said. “I’m ready to play and have some fun.”

It’s been an eventful two days for the young prospect. Rodriguez also hit a single in his Cactus League debut Thursday.

“When they told me I was going in the game, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is happening,’” Rodriguez said. “I was so excited, and I was nervous, but the good kind of nerves. I was prepared, and I knew I could hit the ball hard and thanks to God I got a hit.”

Worth noting
The Mariners optioned right-handed Ruben Alaniz to Triple-A, left-handed pitcher Ricardo Sanchez to Double-A and reassigned right-handed pitchers Jack Anderson and Max Povse to Minor League camp.

The Mariners now have 63 players in Major League camp with 38 roster players and 25 non-roster invitees.

• Wade LeBlanc gave up three hits in three scoreless innings in the “B” game. He struck out one batter.

• Ryon Healy and Kyle Lewis each hit home runs in the “B” game. Healy had two hits and drove in three. Braden Bishop also had two hits.

Up next
Kikuchi is scheduled to start Saturday's 12:05 p.m. PT game against the Royals at Surprise Stadium. Erik Swanson, Zac Rosscup, Chasen Bradford, Gerson Bautista and Brandon Brennan are also scheduled to pitch. Listen to the game free on MLB.com.