MLB Draft: Top 5 First Round Draft Picks in Seattle Mariners History

#5

Jason Varitek

I know what you are thinking. Isn’t Jason Varitek that catcher for the Boston Red Sox, who was their captain for 8 years, and led them to their first (and second) World Series title? Yes, that same guy. Well then, why don’t we ever remember him in a Mariners uniform?

After Seattle Mariners drafted Varitek number 14 overall in the first round of the 1994 amateur draft; they traded him before he even hit the big leagues. Varitek was dealt to the Boston Red Sox in 1997 in a trade that included another Mariners prospect named Derek Lowe. In return, the Mariners received reliever Heathcliff Slocumb for both their prospects.

The trade ended up being one of the worst deals in franchise history for the Seattle Mariners, and one of the best moves ever made by the Boston Red Sox. Varitek went on to be a three time All-Star and two time World Series Champ.

He won The Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy in 2004, and topped off his accolades winning the Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger Award in 2005. He ended up being a .256 BA career hitter with 193 home runs, and drove in a total of 757 RBI.

I don’t think those are Hall of Fame career numbers, but many Boston fans would beg to differ. Varitek was their leader, and was the center piece of the team that finally beat the “Curse of the Bambino” when the Red Sox won their first ever World Series in 2004. Mariners fans SMH reminded of what could have been.

#4

Adam Jones

I apologize in advance for the bringing up another recent bad memory with this draft pick. But let’s struggle through this pick together, shall we?

The Seattle Mariners selected Adam Jones number 37 overall in the 2003 amateur draft. He was brought into the minor league system as a shortstop and right handed pitcher. But when the Mariners acquired Yuniesky Betancourt, the ball club decided to convert Jones to the outfield.

In 2006, Jones received the call up to play for the big league ball club. He made an immediate impression on the defensive side playing center field and showing off his range and great catching ability.

His bat never heated up as the Mariners projected, so the team traded him away to the Baltimore Orioles in 2008 to acquire starting pitcher Erik Bedard. Most recent fans remember Bedard as one of the biggest busts for the Mariners regarding his constant injuries and short lived seasons. On the other hand, Adam Jones was a different story.

Jones is already a three time All-Star, a three time Gold Glove Award winner, and received the Silver Slugger award in 2013.

He is arguably the best defensive center fielder in the game today, and is batting in the three hole for the offensively stacked Baltimore Orioles. Mariners fans can all exhale now, this pick is never coming back.

#3

Tino Martinez

This one won’t hurt so badly. Tino Martinez may have played on four teams during his 16 year career, but it all started with the Seattle Mariners. We actually have great things to remember and call our own, regarding Tino.

The Seattle Mariners drafted Martinez number 14 overall in the 1988 amateur draft. The Mariners got to reap the rewards of grooming Martinez in there farm system when he broke into the ball club in 1990.

Martinez played six years with the Seattle Mariners. It started off and on in the beginning with playing part time at first base until he was given the starting role in 1992. One of the main reason Mariners fans hold Tino so close to their hearts, is due to his breakout season during the most memorable year in Mariners’ history. The famous 1995.

Martinez was a huge fan favorite during the 1995 season. He finished the year with a .293 BA, mashed 31 home runs, and drove in 111 RBI. Apparently the Mariners didn’t think those numbers were impressive enough, as they traded Martinez and two other players to the New York Yankees for Sterling Hitchcock and Russ Davis in 1996.

Martinez ended up finishing his career a two time All-Star, and a four time World Series Champ. He even won both the Silver Slugger Award and Homerun Derby in 1997.

He finished with a career .271 BA, 339 home runs, and 1,271 RBI. Mariners’ fans can at least say they experienced six years of watching Tino grow into a solid power hitter. If only the Mariners would have kept him a little longer.

#2

Alex Rodriguez

I know what you are thinking. How in the world is Alex Rodriguez the number two best player the Seattle Mariners have ever drafted? Well, the ‘good gone bad’ story is like something out of a Star Wars movie, but worth the adventure.

The Seattle Mariners have only drafted a #1 overall pick two times in their franchise history, and Rodriguez was one of them. Drafted number one overall in the 1993 draft, Alex was his name; and A-rod was his nickname.

Rodriguez didn’t waste any time after being drafted to make a spash in the big leagues. At the ripe young age of 18 years old, he was making his mark. He can still be seen at the bottom of “The Double” victory pile right next to Junior.

A-rod lived up to his hype, period. He was a stellar shortstop with a canon for an arm, and could hit the ball in the middle of the lineup with all the other big boys. He was the young hero the franchise needed to take them to the next level. Seattle fans loved him. Opposing pitchers hated him.

Everything changed in the year 2000. A-rod became a free agent and signed with the rival Texas Rangers at an astounding 10 year contract worth $252 million. At that point, “Pay-rod’s” character went downhill.

He began taking steroids to live up the expectations, was traded to New York Yankees, piled up a ton of offensive statistics, and is now presently suspended throughout the entire 2014 year because of his actions.

If Rodriguez’s 20 year career were to end today, he would finish with a lifetime .299 BA, 654 home runs (#5 all time), and a whopping 1,969 RBI (#6 all time). Yes, those are Hall of Fame numbers. But A-rod will never see the light of Cooperstown due to his endless cheating.

Alex Rodriguez had the natural talent to be one of the greatest of all time. It’s a shame he couldn’t play the game fair. He has become one of the most hated players of all time. Looks like the Mariners dodged a bullet with this one.

#1

Ken Griffey Jr.

I am not sure where to begin. Ken Griffey Jr. is not only the best player the Mariners have ever drafted, he is the best player to ever wear a professional jersey for the city of Seattle. He is known as the G.O.A.T. (The Greatest Of All Time), and one of the best to ever play the game of baseball.

The Seattle Mariners had the number one overall pick in 1987. That may sound like a great situation, but picking before any other team can bring on many pressures. If you pick a bust; your job is on the line.

The Mariners decided to use their first ever #1 pick on the 17 year old phenom, Ken Griffey Jr. Named after his father, Ken Griffey Jr. was the 5 tool prospect the Mariners hoped would be the savior of their franchise. He played 13 years of his 22 year career with the Mariners and put up record breaking numbers along the way.

Nicknamed “The Kid,” Junior broke with the big league ball club in 1989 at the young age of only 19 years old. His first ever at-bat was a double, and he never slowed down until his final game.

Juniors accolades are tops in the game. He finished his career a 13 time All-Star, 10 time Gold Glove Award winner, 7 time Silver Slugger Award winner, and AL MVP in 2007.

He was the face of the franchise for years and even starred in his own video game for Nintendo. Junior retired into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2013, and will be a first ballot Hall of Famer when Cooperstown comes knocking. Junior’s stats include a career .284 BA, 630 home runs (6^th all time), and 1,836 RBI.

To this day, Junior’ image is printed on the shirts of many Mariners fans. His throwback jerseys are worn by Seattleites all over the city, and his batting stance is still copied by little leaguers all over the nation.

Arguably the best player to ever play the game, you can say Ken Griffey Jr. was a brilliant draft pick for the Seattle Mariners.