Mariners Prospects
This page will be designated solely for the updated rankings of my top 10 Mariners prospects. For the purposes of this page, I will not include players who have played in the majors.
TOP 10
1. Mike Zunino, C, (21 yrs)
Projected 2013 team: AAA Tacoma
Stats: ..360, 13 HR, 43 RBI, 1.137 OPS
Why?: Hit everywhere he went. Great behind the plate. Impresses everyone with demeanor, approach. Can’t find catchers with this kind of ability very often. Game changer.
2. Taijuan Walker, RHP, (19 yrs)
Projected 2013 team: AAA Tacoma
Stats: 25 starts, 126 2/3 IP, 8.38 K/9, 4.69 ERA, 4.04 FIP, 118 K
Why?: Has all the talent and is only 19. Needs to improve confidence in non-fastball pitches, but has the stuff to be a stud.
3. Danny Hultzen, LHP, (22 yrs)
Projected 2013 team: AAA Tacoma
Stats: 25 starts, 124 IP, 9.87 K/9, 3.05 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 136 K
Why?: Still a great prospect, but others might rank him lower because of his AAA struggles last year. Let’s see how he does to start the year in AAA. Overall, great season in 2012 so he stays in top 3.
4. Nick Franklin, SS, (21 yrs)
Projected 2013 team: AAA Tacoma
Stats: .278, 11 HR, 55 RBI, .800 OPS
Why?: Still only 21 and hit very well last year at AA. Struggled in AAA, but began to turn it on. Added weight this offseason and will get a shot at some point in 2013 (through call up, injury, or because he tears it up).
5. James Paxton, LHP, (23 yrs)
Projected 2013 team: AAA Tacoma
Stats: 26 starts, 119 IP, 9.53 K/9, 3.35 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 110 K
Why?: Similar upside as Hultzen (maybe not quite as high). Produced in the minors and will be in the rotation by 2014.
6. Brandon Maurer, RHP, (22 yrs)
Projected 2013 team: Seattle Mariners (long relief)
Stats: 24 starts, 137 2/3 IP, 7.65 K/9, 3.20 ERA, 3.05 FIP, 117 K
Why?: All of a sudden he is part of the Big Four. Looking good in Spring Training. As Prospect Insider presented, a potential long reliever early in the year for the M’s.
7. Stefen Romero, 3B, (23 yrs)
Projected 2013 team: AAA Tacoma (maybe DL)
Stats: .352, 23 HR, 101 RBI, .991 OPS
Why?: Scouts starting to change their tune. Old report was “nice hitter, but stats are an abberation”. New report is “he will only get better, but maybe doesn’t have a position”. Whatever. He rakes.
8. Brad Miller, SS, (22 yrs)
Projected 2013 team: AA Jackson
Stats: .334, 15 HR, 68 RBI, .922 OPS
Why?: Getting better at SS apparently and just keeps hitting everywhere he goes.
9. Victor Sanchez, RHP, (17 yrs)
Projected 2013 team: Extended Spring Training
Stats: 15 GS, 85 IP, 7.31 K/9, 3.18 ERA, 3.65 FIP, 69 K
Why?: So young and so large. 250 pounds of awesome. Scouts love him.
10. Gabriel Guerrero, OF, (18 yrs)
Projected 2013 team: Extended Spring Training
Stats: .349, 15 HR, 72 RBI, .910 OPS
Why?: Vlad’s nephew. Look at the numbers. Only 18.
On the bubble: Tyler Pike (LHP), Esteilon Peguero (SS), Vinnie Catricala (3B/OF), John Hicks (C), Jack Marder (C), Julio Morban (OF), Francisco Martinez (3B/OF), Denny Almonte (OF), Anthony Fernandez (LHP), Andrew Carraway (RHP), Joseph DeCarlo (SS), Leon Landry (OF).
Jesus Montero now #1.
Erasmo Ramirez also highly valued by Mariners and is a sleeper pick.
Also might want to watch Matt Fox in spring training this year. Zduriencik seems to have the knack of picking guys up who are on the verge of breaking through.
The next bunch: Francisco Martinez, 3B; John Hicks, C; Jack Marder, C; Brad Miller, SS; Andrew Carraway, P; Erasmo Ramirez, P, Anthony Fernandez, P; Roenix Elias, P; Steve Proscia, 1B, Denny Almonte, OF; Trayvon Robinson, OF.
Vinnie Catricala heating it up for the AAA Tacoma Rainiers. Last 11 games in June, 15 for 40, .350 average and .435 OBP…and leads the team in RBI.
Tacoma has loaded up for the second half (and one or two others may be coming up from AA): Hultzen, Franklin, Catricala, Liddi, Carraway, Moran, T. Robinson, Beavan, LaFromboise, Peguero, and catcher Adam Moore is back. Should be a much more interesting 2nd half in Tacoma.