Minor League Recap, 8/11-8/17

This is the first in a series of in depth minor league looks. This week in the minors wasn’t all that interesting – we had a few complete games, a couple really great offensive performances, a few terrible slumps, and a whole lot of average weeks. I only was able to find one move that took place this week, and that was Clinton CF Ryan Royster being demoted to Everett, although he was doing a pretty good job. Royster was a 13th round pick last year, he’s 22 years old, and was hitting .333 with a 1.067 OPS in 8 games with Clinton.

Here we go.

Tacoma Rainiers – AAA – 2-4 week, 59-64 season

Game 1: 9-5 win over Albuquerque

Game 2: 8-6 loss to Albuquerque

Game 3: 4-0 win over Iowa

Game 4: 7-4 loss to Iowa

Game 5: 4-0 loss to Iowa

Game 6: 5-3 loss to Iowa

Hitter of the Week: Matt Tuiasosopo, 3B

Weekly stats: 6-for-20, .300 BA, HR, 3 2B, 4:5 K:BB, 5 R, 4 RBI, .440 OBP

Tui has been absolutely tearing it up since coming off the DL. In August, he’s hitting .362 with 5 long balls and a .465 OBP. He’s still only 22, and if he’s able to improve his defense at third base, he may end up being our best option there in 2010.

Pitcher of the Week: Brandon Morrow, RHP

Weekly stats: GS, CG, SHO, win, 9 IP, 4 hits, BB, 2 SO

Brandon Morrow may finally be figuring it out. The strikeout total is low, but that could be a good sign – it could mean he’s focusing more on pitching to contact, and using that off-speed stuff, than he is on striking everybody out. He threw a ton of change ups in his complete game, which is nice, although it would be nice to see him using his curve a little bit more too. He only needed 94 pitches to get through 9 innings, by the way. Definitely expect to see him back with the big league club by September at the latest.

Slump of the Week: Bryan LaHair, 1B, LF

Weekly stats: 4-for-24, .166 BA, 9:1 K:BB, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, .200 OBP

The two home runs are nice, but Bryan is never going to justify any time with the big league club if he can’t bring that OBP up, and bring those strikeouts down. I still don’t see LaHair having any future with this organization though, as he’s still blocked by guys like Russell Branyan, Mike Carp, and Chris Shelton at first base, and Michael Saunders in left.

Bad Starting Pitcher of the Week: Andrew Baldwin, RHP

Weekly stats: GS, loss, 6 IP, 4 hits, 3 ER, 5 BB, 4 SO

Most of the numbers aren’t terrible, but the 5 walks pushed him past any other starting pitching performance. Baldwin is 26 years old, so he’s no spring chicken, and because of his mediocre efficiency and inability to miss bats, will probably never make a splash at the big league level. He was a 5th round pick of the Phillies back in 2004, and has been putting up below average numbers pretty much all year in Tacoma. Nothing to see here.

Relief Pitcher of the Week: Robert Manuel, RHP

Weekly stats: 2 G, 2 IP, BB, 2 SO, 0.00 ERA

We got Manuel straight up in the trade for Wladimir Balentien, and he’s an interesting prospect. He’s not all that young – 26 – but he has excellent control, and for that reason he may have a chance at earning a spot in the Mariners bullpen as soon as 2010. He has the ability to strike guys out too, and because of that he might end up being a suitable 7th or 8th inning guy.

Other Players of Interest:

Prentice Redman, CF: 5-for-17, HR, 3B, 5:1 K:BB, .333 OBP

Mike Carp, 1B/DH: 6-for-24, 2 HR, 6:2 K:BB, .307 OBP

Adam Moore, C: 7-for-14, 3 2B, 1:1 K:BB, .533 OBP

Jason Vargas, LHP: 2 GS, win, loss, 11.2 IP, 14 hits, 5 BB, 7 SO, 4.82 ERA

West Tenn Diamond Jaxx – AA – 4-2 week, 27-24 second half

Game 1: 5-2 loss to Chattanooga

Game 2: 5-3 win over Chattanooga

Game 3: 9-1 win over Chattanooga

Game 4: 2-0 win over Chattanooga

Game 5: 5-2 win over Chattanooga

Game 6: 4-3 loss to Huntsville

Hitter of the Week: Johan Limonta, LF

Weekly stats: 9-for-19, .473 BA, 4 2B, 4:3 K:BB, 2 R, 5 RBI, .545 OBP

Limonta is a 25 year old left fielder, whom we acquired in the 20th round of the 2006 draft. He’s a power hitter who doesn’t excel at much else. He’s incredibly slow, has little patience, and strikes out a lot. If he can start making more contact and develop a better approach at the plate, he might make it to the bigs some day because of his power. Because of his position, though, I don’t see how it could ever happen with the Mariners.

Pitcher of the Week: Nicholas Hill, LHP

Weekly stats: GS, CG, win, 7 IP, 6 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO, 2.57 ERA

Nick Hill is a guy that’s been impressive in Double A for quite awhile now. He’s 5-4 down there, with a 2.75 ERA, and a 79:21 K:BB rate in 78.2 innings. As you can see, he can strike plenty of guys out, doesn’t walk too many, and he is smart with his pitches. There’s a pretty good chance that Mr. Hill has a future in the Mariners rotation. He has about a #3 or #4 starter ceiling.

Slump of the Week: Guillermo Quiroz, C

Weekly stats: 3-for-19, .157 BA, 2 2B, 4:2 K:BB, 2 R, 3 RBI, .238 OBP

As you may recall, Quiroz did have a brief stint with the big league club earlier this year. He did alright in that little stint, but at age 27 without a whole lot going for him, he may never achieve anything more than just that – short stints in the big leagues. He’s rather plain, and I wouldn’t call him a prospect. With Adam Moore, Rob Johnson, and currently Kenji Johmima blocking him, I don’t foresee an opportunity presenting itself for him to break into the big leagues.

Bad Starting Pitcher of the Week: Luis Munoz, RHP

Weekly stats: GS, win, 5 IP, 8 hits, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO, 5.40 ERA

So he really wasn’t that bad at all, but once again there wasn’t a whole lot to choose from. The Diamond Jaxx had a good week, and so did their starting pitching. The 3 walks and 8 hits in 5 innings wasn’t good though, so I had to go with Munoz. Sorry to pick on you, Luis.

Relief Pitcher of the Week: Anthony Varvaro, RHP

Weekly stats: 2 G, 2.1 IP, 1 hit, SO, 0.00 ERA

Varvaro didn’t walk anyone this week, but that’s probably a first for him. He can strike a ton of guys out, but as his 50:38 K:BB ratio in 2009 will tell you, he struggles mightily with control. He was a 12th round pick back in 2005, and although he’s only 24, he’s definitely going to need to develop some command if he wants to have success.

Other Players of Interest:

Greg Halman, RF: 5-for-18, 5:0 K:BB, 4 R, RBI, .277 OBP

Rich Poythress, 1B: 3-for-16, HR, 6:3 K:BB, 2 R, RBI, .315 OBP

Daniel Cortes, RHP: GS, win, 6 IP, 1 hit, 1 ER, 6 BB, 4 SO, 1.50 ERA

Phillipe Aumont, RHP: 2 G, S, BS, 1.1 IP, 3 hits, 3 SO, ER, 8.18 ERA

High Desert Mavericks – High A – 3-3 week, 26-24 second half

Game 1: 5-4 win over Rancho Cucamonga

Game 2: 11-1 loss to Rancho Cucamonga

Game 3: 6-5 win over Rancho Cucamonga

Game 4: 6-5 loss to Inland Empire

Game 5: 8-1 loss to Inland Empire

Game 6: 5-0 win over Inland Empire

Hitter of the Week: Alex Liddi, 3B

Weekly stats: 5-for-19, .263 BA, 2 HR, 2B, 4:2 K:BB, 2 R, 4 RBI, .333 OBP

Pretty typical week for Liddi – multiple home runs, lots of strike outs. Although 4 K’s in a week is pretty good for him. Liddi is probably our top prospect in High Desert – he’s got a lot of power, and the ability to get on base, but he’s going to strike out a lot. He’s anything but a good contact hitter, as you can see by his 107 strikeouts in High A this season. Liddi was an international signing from Italy back in 2006.

Pitcher of the Week: Mauricio Robles, LHP

Weekly stats: 2 GS, win, 12 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 9 BB, 12 SO, 0.75 ERA

You probably remember Robles as the key to the Jarrod Washburn trade with the Detroit Tigers. He got off to a rough start with the Mariners, but he looked pretty good this week. His control continue to be an issue, but the overall weekly numbers are a little bit skewed (he walked 6 in one start, 3 in the other), his second start was actually really good. He’s got great stuff and is going to be very exciting to watch.

Slump of the Week: Leury Bonilla, 1B

Weekly stats: 1-for-15, .066 BA, 5:0 K:BB, R, RBI, .066 OBP

Bonilla was another international signing, him being signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2005. He can play a lot of positions, as he has good range. His power is above average, but that’s about all he can do. He doesn’t draw a lot of walks, and he doesn’t hit for a high average. Again, nothing to see here.

Bad Starting Pitcher of the Week: Steven Hensley, RHP

Weekly stats: GS, 4.2 IP, 6 hits, 3 ER, BB, 4 SO, 2 HR, 6.42 ERA

Generally, Steven Hensley’s problem has been control, but he’s seemed to improve dramatically in that category in High A – his K:BB for the year with High Desert is 89:24. He has the ability to miss plenty of bats and strike guys out, and if he can develop decent command he may find himself in a big league rotation some day – he’s only 22.

Relief Pitcher of the Week: Aaron Jensen, RHP

Weekly stats: 2 G, win, 6.2 IP, 5 hits, 5 SO, 0.00 ERA

Jensen had a good week, but he’s rather uninteresting. His K:BB this year is pedestrian, and there’s really nothing special about him. If he can develop the ability to strike more guys out, than maybe he’ll be worth taking a look at.

Other Players of Interest:

Joseph Dunigan, DH: 6-for-19, HR, 4:1 K:BB, 3 R, RBI, .350 OBP

Juan Ramirez, RHP: GS, loss, 6 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, HR

Clinton Lumberkings – A – 3-4 week, 24-26 second half

Game 1: 6-4 loss to Beloit

Game 2: 4-2 win over Beloit

Game 3: 7-1 win over Beloit

Game 4: 2-0 loss to Beloit

Game 5: 6-2 loss to Cedar Rapids

Game 6: 18-3 loss to Cedar Rapids

Game 7: 3-1 win over Cedar Rapids

Hitter of the Week: Jacob Shaffer, LF

Weekly stats: 8-for-25, .320 BA, 2 HR, 2B, 4:1 K:BB, 3 R, 2 RBI, .346 OBP

Jacob Shaffer is a 22 year old left fielder, putting up solid numbers all around in A ball. He’s posted a .792 OPS in 2009, with a .340 wOBA, and 27 of his 89 hits going for extra bases. To progress in the system he’s going to need to work on his approach at the plate, as his 52:17 K:BB is unimpressive, but he has some potential.

Pitcher of the Week: Kenn Kasparek, RHP

Weekly stats: GS, win, 7 IP, 4 hits, 4 SO, 0.00 ERA

Traditionally, Kasparek’s problem has been control, but that hasn’t been an issue for him in Clinton. He’s struck out 120 and walked only 28 in 2009, posting a 2.17 ERA. He was a 12th round pick in 2008, and is only 23 years old. I’d expect to see him up in Double A by next season.

Slump of the Week: Kris Sanchez, DH

Weekly stats: 1-for-18, .055 BA, 11:3 K:BB, R, 2 RBI, .190 OBP

Sanchez has a lot of power, and a decent approach at the plate, but he doesn’t make a lot of contact, and he strikes out a ton. His only hope to proceed in the system is going to be to fix some of the holes in his swing, and start putting the ball in play more often.

Bad Starting Pitcher of the Week: Anthony Vasquez, LHP

Weekly stats: 2 GS, loss, 8.2 IP, 10 hits, 9 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO, 2 HR, 9.87 ERA

You’ll probably notice, that as we get lower in the system, the players get less and less interesting. Vasquez is no exception. He was our 18th round pick this year, and he hasn’t gotten off to a great start in Clinton. He throws strikes, but he gets knocked around due to his inability to miss bats. He’s only 22, so he’s got some time to work on that.

Relief Pitcher of the Week: Derrick Saito, LHP

Weekly stats: 2 G, 3 IP, 3 hits, BB, 2 SO, 0.00 ERA

Saito came over with Daniel Cortes in the infamous Yuniesky Betancourt trade, and he’s been pretty good so far. He strikes out plenty of guys, but as the problem is for many of the pitchers in our minor league system, his command is shaky. He isn’t nearly as exciting as Cortes, but he may end up being a solid middle reliever.

Other Players of Interest:

Kyle Seager, SS: 7-for-26, 2B, 2:4 K:BB, 3 R, 3 RBI, .366 OBP

Brian Moran, LHP: 2 G, loss, 3 IP, 2 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 6.00 ERA

Maikel Cleto, RHP: GS, loss, 2 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 2 SO, 4.50 ERA

Everett Aquasox – Short Season A – 1-6 week, 32-25 season

Game 1: 13-7 loss to Boise

Game 2: 6-2 win over Boise

Game 3: 8-7 loss to Boise

Game 4: 8-2 loss to Boise

Game 5: 4-3 loss to Boise

Game 6: 7-3 loss to Salem-Keizer

Game 7: 5-0 loss to Salem-Keizer

Hitter of the Week: Hawkins Gebbers, 2B

Weekly stats: 10-for-30, .333 BA, 3 2B, 7:2 K:BB, 3 R, .375 OBP

Gebbers was a 33rd round pick this year, and he’s excelling in Everett. He has a .788 OPS in 47 games, and he’s showing both double’s power and the ability to draw walks. He’s 23 years old.

Pitcher of the Week: Taylor Stanton, RHP

Weekly stats: GS, 7 IP, 6 hits, 1 ER, BB, 5 SO, 1.28 ERA

Stanton is a 21 year old out of Antioch, California, and was drafted by the Mariners in the 26th round of the 2008 draft. He’s put up decent numbers in Everett this year, and has posted a solid K:BB ratio. Nothing else to say.

Slump of the Week: James Jones, RF

Weekly stats: 2-for-25, .080 BA, 2B, 8:4 K:BB, R, .206 OBP

Jones was our 4th round pick this year, and he’s actually done a nice job so far in Everett. He clearly had an awful week, but he’s hitting .311 on the season with a .850 OPS. He’s a good all around hitter, with solid power and great speed. He’s only 20, and the one thing he still really needs to improve is his patience.

Bad Pitcher of the Week: Andres Esquibel, RHP

Weekly stats: 2 GS, loss, 11.1 IP, 16 hits, 11 ER, 6 BB, 5 SO, 4 HR, 8.91 ERA

Esquibel is a nothing special pitcher who had an absolutely terrible week. The one area he’s above average in is command, and he’s barely above average. He was a 38th round pick last year, and as of right now he’s not really work looking closely at.

Relief Pitcher of the Week: Fray Martinez, RHP

Weekly stats: 2 G, 5.2 IP, 2 hits, 4 SO, 1 BB, 0.00 ERA

This was Fray’s first week in the Mariners organization after being signed out of the Dominican Republic. I really don’t know much about him, but he certainly had an impressive first week out of the pen.

Other Players of Interest:

Anthony Phillips, SS: 6-for-25, HR, 2B, 6:1 K:BB, 4 R, 6 RBI, .269 OBP

Pulaski Mariners – Advanced Rookie – 3-3 week, 23-28 season

Game 1: 10-2 loss to Bluefield

Game 2: 6-3 loss to Bluefield

Game 3: 6-4 win over Greeneville

Game 4: 4-3 loss to Greeneville

Game 5: 2-1 win over Greeneville

Game 6: 10-6 win over Burlington

Hitter of the Week: Fred Bello, 2B

Weekly stats: 8-for-12, .667 BA, 3B, 2 2B, 1:3 K:BB, 3 R, RBI, .733 OBP

Bello was a 20th round pick in 2008, and he’s been extremely unimpressive since. He’s got some speed, and that’s about it. He had a fantastic week though, so kudos to him.

Pitcher of the Week: Jean Tome, RHP

Weekly stats: GS, win, 8 IP, 1 hit, 1 ER, 9 So, BB, 1.12 ERA

Tome actually took a no-no into the 8th inning, and was just fantastic overall. He’s a 21 year old, signed out of Brazil in 2008, who hasn’t shown much since coming over. He has posted a nice K:BB of 46:13 in 2009 though.

Slump of the Week: Jarrett Burgess, CF

Weekly stats: 0-for-19, .000 BA, 8:2 K:BB, .095 OBP

Burgess was our 6th round pick in 2008, and is still only 19 years old. He’s had a really bad season in Pulaski (.582 OPS), but at such a young age I wouldn’t expect all that much success just yet. What an absolutely horrible week, though.

Bad Starting Pitcher of the Week: Yao Wen Chang, RHP

Weekly stats: 2 G, GS, 5.1 IP, 7 hits, 4 ER, 3 SO, 2 BB, 2 HR, 7.05 ERA

Chang is an 18 year old, signed out of Taiwan this year. He was making his Pulaski debut this week, and it didn’t go too well. He’s another pitcher who I know virtually nothing about, but he’ll need to keep those home runs down.

Relief Pitcher of the Week: Jorden Merry, RHP

Weekly stats: 2 G, win, S, 2.1 IP, 5 SO, 2 BB, 0.00 ERA

Perry was our 40th round pick this year, and he’s been impressive so far in rookie ball. He’s got decent control, and is able to strike a decent amount of guys out. Both his 2.67 ERA and 39:10 K:BB rate are impressive.

Other Players of Interest:

Gabriel Noriega, SS: 6-for-18, 6:2 K:BB, R, 2 RBI, .400 OBP

Jharmidy De Jesus, 3B: 3-for-17, 2B, 3:1 K:BB, R, 4 RBI, .222 OBP

Stephen Baron, C: 2-for-11, HR, 5:1 K:BB, R, 4 RBI, .250 OBP

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