How have the Seattle Mariners Top Prospects Fared this Spring?

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Mar 15, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Ketel Marte (72) swings at a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

#3 – Ketel Marte – SS

The experts at MLB.com have ranked 20-year-old shortstop, Ketel Marte, as the Mariners’ third best prospect. Marte is a speedy switch-hitting middle infielder. MLB.com has assigned Marte an organizational best 65 grade for his wheels.

Ketel Marte is another youngster who is getting a lot of reps this spring in Peoria. Marte has appeared in 12 of the 13 games thus far in spring training. The Dominican Republic product has performed nicely with the stick, hitting .286 with 1 triple, 2 RBI’s, and 3 stolen bases. His defense has been a different story. Marte has been awful at short, committing 5 errors in 52.2 innings.

Ketel Marte was hotter than a boiling kettle last season. Marte began the 2014 season with the Jackson Generals before earning a promotion to the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. The 20-year-old hit .304 with 4 home runs, 54 RBI’s, and 29 stolen bases across 523 at bats. Marte posted a .335 on base percentage and slugged .411 last season. Marte was rewarded for his efforts with the Mariners Heart and Soul Award.

I would anticipate another season in Tacoma for the 20-year-old, but he has all the makings of a top of the order bat for Seattle in the future. I think with the Mariners current situation at short, they have the luxury of being patient with Marte.

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