Mariners Minor League Report: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not

Bakersfield Blaze: 20-34, 5th place in California League North Division

Not – Tyler O’Neill – LF

The 19-year-old Maple Ridge, BC product has had a fine season for Bakersfield, but has struggled at the plate recently. O’Neill is hitting .185 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI’s since May 20th. He has posted a measly .224 on base percentage and slugged just .315. However, the Mariners’ 10th best prospect leads the Blaze with 11 dingers and 28 runs batted in this season.

Not – Ryan Yarbrough – LHP

Yarbs has been a regular on this list, but this is the first time he is in the “not” category. The 23-year-old Old Dominion alum has gone 0-2 with a 8.10 ERA over his last 3 starts. However, Yarbrough has an impressive 17:5 strikeout to walk ratio over his last 16.2 innings pitched. He is currently ranked as the M’s 9th best prospect, and I fully expect him to get back on track soon. Every young player hits a rough patch every once in a while, but Yarbs is far too talented to stay in the dumps for long.

Jun 18, 2013; Dayton, OH, USA; West pitcher Tyler Pike throws during the Midwest League-All Star Game at Fifth Third Field. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Hot – Tyler Pike – LHP

Tyler Pike is a former top prospect for the Mariners who has struggled to produce over the past 2 seasons. He began the 2015 season with Jackson, but after looking overmatched, he was demoted to Bakersfield in May. He has gone 0-1 with a 4.20 ERA across his last 15 innings pitched. The 21-year-old has struck out 11 and walked 7 during his last 4 outings. While it is hard to justify categorizing him as “hot” right now, Pike has shown glimpses in Bakersfield of what made him such an exciting prospect.

Not – Austin Wilson – RF

The Mariners’ 2nd round selection in 2013 has not played well in 2015 for the Bakersfield Blaze. He is hitting just .194 on the season, and things have gone from bad to worse over the past coupe weeks. Wilson is hitting .163 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI’s since May 23rd. The Stanford alum has posted a .250 on base percentage and slugged .349 over his last 48 plate appearances. These numbers are simply not going to cut it for a 23-year-old in high A. If he does not turn things around, this may be his last season in the Mariners’ organization.

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