Seattle Mariners Minor League Update: August 4th

May 19, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher

(63) sits behind home plate after Cleveland Indians shortstop

(not pictured) scored from second base on a ground out in the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Tacoma Rainiers (Batting)

The Rainiers are the only affiliate above .500 on the year, but even they have not blown anyone away. They sit in third place (out of four) in the Pacific North division of the PCL  at 59-57, sitting behind Sacramento and Reno.

However, with 10 wins in their last 14 games, maybe there is time for a what would be a ferocious comeback to make the postseason. Then again, with no games remaining against the teams that they are chasing, maybe there’s not.

Most of the players that we can expect to see called up in September off the current roster have already spent time in the majors, as Jesus Montero, James Jones, Stefen Romero, and Justin Smoak are all but certain to return to Seattle.

Smoak has been much better since being sent back down, but in his last ten games his OBP is lower than his average. I guess not even AAA pitching can walk this guy. Montero, meanwhile, has been sub-Mendoza over his last ten with two extra base hits in that span.

Unless the 40-man roster changes, Ji-Man Choi and Julio Morban will make their MLB debuts this season. Neither has been particularly impressive overall (they have combined for one homer in 203 at bats), but Choi has been marginally better, hitting .273. Just remember, though, he was busted on a positive test this April and served his 50 game suspension, so we may have another Montero in him.

If changes are made, don’t be surprised if Humberto Quintero finds himself back in the big leagues. While Mike Zunino has been great defensively, I still don’t trust Jesus Sucre enough to backstop key games when Zunino needs a day off down the stretch.

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