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

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.

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