Mariners Minor League Report

Jun 3, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Stefen Romero (7) hits a three run home run in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Tacoma Rainiers – AAA

Stefen Romero – RF

Mariners’ fans are very familiar with Stefen Romero, as he spent the bulk of last season calling Safeco Field home. He struggled with the stick for the M’s in 2014, but he has found his stroke with the Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. The Oregon State alum has hit .319 with 3 home runs and 6 RBI’s over his last 12 games. He has posted a .385 on base percentage, and slugged .532 across 47 at bats since April 23. The 26-year-old has also yet to commit an error this season in Tacoma. While he may not be an exciting prospect anymore, Romero is a guy who could potentially earn a mid-season call up if he continues to mash in AAA.

Feb 26, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Justin Germano poses for a portrait during photo day at Peoria Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Germano – RHP

Justin Germano is a 32-year-old veteran reliever who appears to have resurrected his career pitching for Tacoma this season. Germano has spent parts of 9 seasons in the big leagues, but has never been able to produce consistent results. He began the season as a reliever in the Rainiers’ bullpen, but has transitioned to the starting rotation during the last couple weeks. Germano is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA across his last 11.1 innings. If the M’s pitching problems persist, Germano may make an appearance in Seattle this month.

Ketel Marte – SS

With Brad Miller and Chris Taylor currently in the big leagues, Ketel Marte has slid into the everyday shortstop gig with the Rainiers. Marte has been one of the hottest hitters in the league over the past 2 weeks, recording a .370 batting average with 4 RBI’s and 5 stolen bases. Now that Taylor is in Seattle, Hopefully Marte will get a chance to refine his skills with the leather. Marte is arguably more gifted than Miller and Taylor, but at just 21 years of age, he still needs a bit more seasoning in the minor leagues. Look for Marte to finish the season with Tacoma, before making his Mariners’ debut in 2016.

Mike Montgomery – LHP

The Mariners acquired Mike Montgomery from the Tampa Bay Rays at the end of spring training in exchange for Erasmo Ramirez. Montgomery is a former top prospect who fell out of favor in Tampa after struggling the past couple seasons. However, the southpaw appears to have found himself with the Rainiers. The 25-year-old has gone 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA since April 23. He has struck out 17 and walked just 4 over his last 20.0 innings pitched. The Santa Clarita, CA product has held the opposition to a .188 batting average over his last 3 outings. Montgomery has proven to be a steal thus far, and he could potentially make his big league debut this September in Seattle.

Next: Jackson Generals

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

Jackson Generals – AA

Dario Pizzano – LF

Dario Pizzano does not have a lot of hype surrounding him, but he is currently riding a 16 game hitting streak. Pizzano is a former 15th round selection by the M’s, and it is safe to say the 24-year-old is demolishing Seattle’s expectations for him this season. The Columbia alum has hit .435 with 6 RBI’s and a stolen base since April 23. He is sporting an astronomical .447 on base percentage, and he has slugged .522 over his last 46 at bats. His only area of improvement would be plate discipline. Pizzano has only worked 1 walk in the last 2 weeks. He should warrant a call-up to Tacoma soon, and he could wind up with Seattle in September if his hot hitting continues.

D.J. Peterson – 1B

The Mariners first baseman of the future got off to a horrid start in 2015, but he has stabilized slightly over the past couple weeks. D.J. Peterson is hitting .265 with 1 home run and 7 RBI’s since April 23. He boasts a .359 on base percentage and he has slugged .441 over his last 34 at bats. These numbers are pedestrian at best, but they are considerably better than his previous stats. I expect the 23-year-old to continue improving as the season goes on. Peterson should get a chance to finish the 2015 season in Tacoma with the Rainiers.

Next: Bakersfield Blaze

Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Tyler Marlette (77) scores the game-winning run in the tenth inning against the San Diego Padres during a spring training baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Bakersfield Blaze – A+

Tyler Marlette – C

Tyler Marlette has more upside than any catcher in the Mariners’ organization that is not named Mike Zunino. Marlette has been carrying the Blaze offensively this season, while also looking much improved behind the plate. The 22-year-old is hitting .167 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI’s since April 23. Obviously, these are not great numbers, but he has worked 5 walks in his last 42 at bats. He has always been thought of as an offensive backstop, but he has thrown out a career high 43% of potential base stealers in 2015. Marlette is far from hot right now, but I still envision him ending the season in Jackson.

Edwin Diaz – RHP

Edwin Diaz is considered to be one of the top prospects in the Mariners’ system, and he is proving why so far this season. The 21-year-old has been destroying the California League, going 1-0 with a 0.52 ERA over his last 17.1 innings pitched. The young right-handed has struck out 16 and walked 4 since April 23. Diaz has electric stuff, and he has held the opposition to a .153 batting average over his last 3 outings. At 6’3/165, Diaz could stand to put on a bit of weight, but his body should fill out as he matures. Diaz seems to be miles above the competition in high A, and I expect him to earn a promotion in the very near future to Jackson.

Ryan Yarbrough – LHP

The Mariners do not have many top tier pitching prospects near the Majors, but they have a pair of studs in Edwin Diaz and Ryan Yarbrough pitching for Bakersfield. The 23-year-old southpaw has gone 1-1 with a 4.60 ERA across his last 15.2 innings pitched. His ERA is deceiving because he surrendered 7 of the 8 earned runs he allowed since April 23 in 1 start. He has pitched at least 6 innings and allowed 1 run or less in 2 of his last 3 outings. The Old Dominion alum has struck out 13 and walked 2 since April 23. Yarbrough appears to be on the fast track to Jackson, and he could even finish the season in Tacoma.

Trey Cochran-Gill – RHP

Trey Cochran-Gill has been nearly perfect this season for the Blaze. Cochran-Gill is one of the top young relievers in the M’s system. He has gone 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 1 save since April 23. He has struck out 6 and walked 1 during his last 9.1 innings pitched. Opponents have hit .188 off Cochran-Gill over his last 5 appearances. The Auburn alum is another hurler who is ready to take on the Southern League with the Generals. Cochran-Gill is advanced for his age, and I would not be surprised to see the 22-year-old in Seattle next season.

Next: Clinton LumberKings

Clinton LumberKings – A

Gianfranco Wawoe – SS/2B

The man with the best name in the M’s organization has been on fire during the first month of the Clinton LumberKings season. Wawoe is a hitting machine, and he sports an impressive .306 average since April 23. He does a great job of putting the ball in play, as he has struck out just 5 times in his last 40 plate appearances. Wawoe is a versatile defender, capable of playing shortstop, second base and center field. Look for the 20-year-old to spend the bulk of 2015 in Clinton before finishing the season in Bakersfield.

Aug 24, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; American catcher Alex Jackson (10) rounds second base during the 2013 Under Armour All-American Baseball game at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Peterson – LHP

The Mariners have been pleasantly surprised by the former 23rd round pick this season in Clinton. Pat Peterson has been the best pitcher in the LumberKings’ starting rotation in 2015. Peterson has been incredible over his last 2 outings, going 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA. The North Carolina State alum has struck out 15 hitters and walked 3 over his last 11.0 innings. Opponents have hit .200 against the 22-year-old southpaw since April 23. Peterson is another college pitcher who could move quickly through the M’s system. I think Peterson will be promoted soon to Bakersfield, and finishing the season in Jackson is not out of the realm of possibility.

Alex Jackson – RF

The Mariners spent the number 6 overall pick on Alex Jackson in 2014, and thus far he has fallen short of expectations. Jackson has been stymied by single-A pitching this season in Clinton. The 19-year-old is hitting just .152 with 0 home runs and 2 RBI’s since April 23. His .220 on base percentage and .196 slugging percentage are the definition of bad. He has struck out 14 times and walked just once during his last 46 at bats. AJ is struggling, but his natural talent is impossible to overlook. Jackson remains the Mariners’ top prospect despite his early struggles. Some predict Jackson will advance quickly to the Majors, but I think he will spend the entire 2015 season in Clinton.

Next: Mariners Game Notes: Kuma Plays Catch

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