Seattle Mariners Take on Diamondbacks and White Sox in Split Squad Action
Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman
D.J. Peterson
(46) hits a home run in the first inning against the San Diego Padres during a spring training baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Youngsters Impressing Early
The Mariners selected D.J. Peterson in the first round of the 2013 draft out of the University of Arizona. Peterson represented the M’s at the Futures Game last season, and he managed to finish the season with the Mariners double-A affiliate in Jackson. Peterson hit a combined .297, smashed 31 home runs, and drove in 111 runs across two levels in 2014. The 23-year-old’s bat is said to be near Major League ready, and he has confirmed it thus far this spring. He homered in his very first spring at bat on Wednesday, and he enters play hitting .300 in Cactus League action.
D.J. Peterson got the start at third base on Friday. He looked shaky at the hot corner against the Dodgers. Peterson has looked much more comfortable this spring at first base, and that is where he will be stationed this afternoon when the M’s host the D-backs. I personally do not believe the Gilbert, AZ product will break camp with the M’s, but I would not be surprised if he is a mid-season call up in 2015.
Patrick Kivlehan is another young man who has really turned some heads in the first few games of the spring. Much like Peterson, Kivlehan started 2014 with the High Desert Mavericks of the California League, and finished with the Jackson Generals of the Southern League. Kivlehan dominated last season, hitting a combined .295 with 20 home runs and 103 RBI’s across 519 at bats. He hit a long home run to left-center field on Thursday against the Padres, and he has driven in 3 runs so far.
Next: The C&C Boys are at it Again Today Against Diamondbacks