Mariners Minor League Report: Who's Hot & Who's Not

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Jun 14, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder James Jones (99) (left) and Seattle Mariners right fielder Stefen Romero (7) (right) jog off the field after Romero made the final out of the inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Texas defeated Seattle 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

It is always a good idea to keep a weather eye the youngsters who could soon call Seattle home. Today, we will take a closer look at how some the Mariners’ prospects have fared over the last couple weeks.

I will break down who is hot and who is not on the M’s AAA affiliate in Tacoma, AA affiliate in Jackson, A+ affiliate in Bakersfield and the A affiliate in Clinton.

The Mariners have been a massive disappointment this season, and currently sit in 4th place in the American League West. Changes are inevitable whenever a team is struggling like the M’s are right now, and we saw Jack Zduriencik make some roster moves earlier this week. There are likely more changes coming, and some of the names in this slideshow may be starring in the Emerald City before long.

We will start things off by discussing who is standing out on the Tacoma Rainiers.

Next: Tacoma Rainiers

Jul 13, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder James Jones (99) slides into third base after advancing to third base from first base on a wild throw by Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) (not pictured) during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Tacoma Rainiers: 29-34, 4th Place in PCL Northern Division

Hot – Stefen Romero – RF

The former Oregon State Beaver is tearing up the Pacific Coast League in 2015. Romero is hitting .345 with 3 doubles, 4 RBI’s and 7 runs scored over the last week. The 26-year-old is now hitting .285 on the season with 8 home runs and 31 RBI’s across 48 games with the Rainiers. Romero was an afterthought for M’s fans entering this season, but he making a strong case to be promoted at some point this summer.

Jun 21, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Stefen Romero (7) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Hot – Sam Gaviglio – SP

Sam Gaviglio is another former Oregon State Beaver who is starring for the Rainiers in 2015. The 25-year-old right-hander has gone 3-1 and posted a 2.96 ERA over his last 4 starts. He was roughed up in his last outing, surrendering 6 runs in 5 innings, but he remains the Rainiers best hurler over the past few weeks. If he can keep it rolling, look for Gaviglio to make his big league debut this September.

Not – Chris Taylor – SS

Chris Taylor struggled mightily during his time in Seattle this season, and his trouble at the plate has followed him to Tacoma. The University of Virginia alum is hitting just .107 with 1 double and 1 RBI over the last week. I do not think Taylor will ever hit for enough power to be an adequate everyday shortstop, but I am in favor of replacing Willie Bloomquist with the 24-year-old middle infielder.

Hot – James Jones – CF

I am very pleased to announce that James Jones is on fire right now for the Tacoma Rainiers. Jones is hitting .321 with 1 double, 1 triple and 1 stolen base over his last 7 ball games. The speedster has a 2:4 strikeout to walk ratio across his last 33 plate appearances. I have always been a big fan of James Jones, and I think he would be a smart call-up to Seattle right now. The M’s are one of the least athletic clubs in the league, and Jones’ wheels could be huge as a pinch runner in the late innings.

Hot – Forrest Snow – SP

The local boy is pitching his butt off right now in Tacoma. The Lakeside School and University of Washington alum has gone 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA over his last 2 outings. Snow has struck out 8 and walked 4 in his last 10.1 innings. The 26-year-old right-hander has registered a 2.12 ERA since moving into the Rainiers’ starting 5 on May 8th. Snow stands tall on the rubber at 6’6, and reminds me a lot of Doug Fister.

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: 25-36, 5th Place in Southern League North Division

Not – D.J. Peterson – 1B

The M’s 2013 1st round selection has been a permanent fixture in the “not” category all season. Peterson is hitting a miserable .154 with 1 home run and 3 RBI’s over the last week. He has struck out 6 times, walked just once and hit into a pair of double plays over his last 28 plate appearances. His rough week has lowered his season batting average to .203. Peterson’s performance this season is shocking considering his incredible showing in 2014.

Not – Jabari Blash – RF

Jabari Blash was white hot last week, but the past 7 games have yielded much different results for the Souther League All Star. The 25-year-old Virgin Islands product is hitting .125 with 0 home runs and 2 RBI’s over the last week. Blash has collected just 3 hits, although 2 of them were for extra bases. He may be mired in a slump right now, but Blash has destroyed AA pitching in 2015. He has the potential to develop into a Chris Carter type of hitter in the future.

Feb 20, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher James Gillheeney (77) poses for a picture during photo day at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Hot – James Gillheeney – SP

The North Carolina State alum will be joining Blash at the Southern League All Star game this summer, and deservingly so. Gillheeney is 0-0 with a 3.09 over his last 2 starts for the Generals. The 27-year-old southpaw has struck out 9 and walked 3 over the last week. He is now 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA this season. 27-year-old pitchers in AA do not typically generate much excitement, but Gillheeney has been one of the few positives in a very bleak season in Jackson.

Not – Dario Pizzano – LF

Dario Pizzano has stung together a very impressive season in 2015, but the last week has not been kind to the Columbia University alum. Pizzano is hitting .207 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI’s over the last 7 days. Pizzano did tally 3 hits his last time out, so hopefully he is turning the corner on his current slump. The 24-year-old is still hitting .309 on the season. Dario is a player to watch, and could taste the big leagues within the next 12 months.

Not – Scott DeCecco – SP/RP

The 24-year-old southpaw has been lit up during his last 2 appearances, going 0-1 with a 27.00 ERA. DeCecco has hit a rough patch with Jackson, and was removed from the starting rotation after going 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA over his last 4 starts. Much of his struggles can be attributed to his lack of command.

Next: Bakersfield Blaze

Bakersfield Blaze: 23-39, 5th Place in California League North Divison

Hot – Tyler O’Neill – RF

As a 19-year-old in high A, Tyler O’Neill is quickly becoming one of the more intriguing prospects in the Mariners’ system. The Maple Ridge, BC native is mashing over the last week, hitting .367 with 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 10 RBI’s and a stolen base. O’Neill has big league power, and currently leads the blaze with 14 home runs this season.

Hot – Nelson Ward – SS

The University of Georgia alum was called up from Clinton in early June, and he has started out hot for the Blaze. Ward is hitting .360 with 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run and 5 RBI’s over the last week. The 22-year-old has above average wheels, and he has tallied 1 stolen base across his last 7 games. It will be interesting to see if Ward can sustain his success during over the final couple months of the season.

Not – Austin Wilson – RF

The 2013 draft class is not looking good this season. The former 2nd round pick out of Stanford is hitting .100 with 1 home run, 3 RBI’s and 1 stolen base over the last week. Wilson is now hitting .183 this season in Bakersfield. He represents one of the more disappointing prospects in the organization, and the likelihood of the 23-year-old making the big leagues is shrinking by the day.

Hot – Dan Altavilla – SP

Dan Altavilla has had a very impressive first half for the Blaze, and his last 2 outings may have been his best. The 22-year-old right-hander is 1-0 with 1.38 ERA over the last week. Altavilla has fanned 12 and walked 2 over his last 13 innings pitched. He has held the opposition to 0.769 walks/hits per inning. Altavilla is a promising young arm, and should get a chance to show what he can do in Jackson next season.

Next: Clinton LumberKings

Clinton LumberKings: 23-39, 7th Place in Midwest League Eastern Division

Not – Lukas Schiraldi – SP

A week after being listed under the “hot” category, Lukas Schiraldi finds himself in the “not” pile. The University of Texas alum went 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA over the last week. He struck out 4 and walked 2 across 8.2 innings. The 21-year-old right-hander is still having a solid season for Clinton, but his last 2 outings have been alarming.

Hot – Joe DeCarlo – 3B

The 21-year-old third baseman is hitting .267 with 1 double, 1 home run and 3 RBI’s over the last week. DeCarlo has nursed 5 free passes and has struck out just 4 times. The former 2nd round pick in 2012 has solid power, and his 6 long balls in 2015 are tied for the team lead. He is still a ways away from being relevant, but he has done a nice job as of late at the dish.

Not – Kristian Brito – 1B

Kristian Brito is an all or nothing type of hitter, and this week has been nothing. Brito is hitting .192 with 1 home run and 3 RBI’s over the past 7 games. The 20-year-old has struck out 10 times and walked 3 times across his last 29 plate appearances.

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