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

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Mar 17, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners infielder Jesus Montero against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-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 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

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

Tacoma Rainiers – AAA – 41-41, 2nd Place in Pacific Coast League Northern Division

Jesus Montero – 1B – Hot

The former top prospect is tearing up the PCL in 2015, and he sports a .579 batting average over the last week. Montero has 2 doubles, 1 triple and 1 RBI across his last 19 at bats. The 25-year-old is hitting .322 on the season with 13 home runs and 61 RBI’s. Why Montero is still in Tacoma is a mystery to me.

Forrest Snow – RHP – Hot

The Mariners did not have high expectations for Forrest Snow this season, but he has proven to be the best starter in the Rainiers’ rotation. The 26-year-old right-hander has put together a solid week, allowing 1 run on 4 hits across 7 innings pitched. He fanned 6 and walked 3 in his lone outing this week. Snow is a local boy having grown up in Seattle and attended the University of Washington, and I think he could be pitching at Safeco Field this September.

Patrick Kivlehan – LF – Hot

The Mariners’ number 4 prospect has had an up and down season in 2015 with Tacoma, but this past week has been more up than down. Kivlehan is hitting .280 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI’s over his last 6 games. The Rutgers alum has 1 double, 5 strikeouts and 0 walks in his last 26 plate appearances. I do not expect to see Kivlehan is Seattle this season, but I think he could play a role next season with the M’s.

Next: Jackson Generals

Mar 15, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman D.J. Peterson (46) bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson Generals – AA – 32-45, 5th Place in Southern League Northern Division

D.J. Peterson – 1B – Hot

The Mariners’ number 2 prospect has filed to live up to the hype in 2015, but D.J. Peterson has played well over the past week. Peterson is hitting just .213 on the season with the Generals, but he is hitting .316 across his last 5 games. The 23-year-old has 1 double, 1 home run and 1 RBI during his last 19 at bats. Hopefully the power hitting first baseman can build off his impressive week, and play much better during the second half of the season.

Edwin Diaz – RHP – Not

Edwin Diaz was recently selected to participate in the upcoming Futures Game in Cincinnati, and perhaps the pressure is getting to the 21-year-old right-hander. Diaz has struggled this week, going 0-1 and allowing 4 runs on 10 hits across 7 innings. This was the second consecutive ugly outing for the top prospect, but he is still cobbling together a solid campaign for the Generals. I think we could see Diaz toeing the rubber at Safeco as early as 2016.

Jabari Henry – LF – Not

Jabari Henry has had a rough week with the Generals, hitting .182 with 1 home run and 1 RBI. This season has been a nightmare for Henry. He began the year with the M’s in spring training before being demoted to Minor League camp. After hitting .164 this season in Jackson, he was removed from the Mariners’ 40-man roster and cleared waivers earlier this week. The 24-year-old remains on the Generals’ roster, but it is hard to say what his future holds.

Next: Bakersfield Blaze

Bakersfield Blaze – A+ – 29-49, 5th Place in California League Norther Division

Tyler O’Neill – LF – Not

Tyler O’Neill is cold as ice this week, posting a .167 batting average with 1 home run and 3 RBI’s. However, the Maple Ridge, BC product has strung together a very solid season in 2015 with the Blaze. He is holding his own in the California League as a 19-year-old, and he should get a chance to play in Jackson next season. If all goes well, O’Neil could find himself donning a Mariners’ uniform before his 22nd birthday.

Tyler Pike – LHP – Hot

Once considered one of the top young arms in the Mariners’ system, Tyler Pike’s star has fallen fast. However, he seems to have found himself lately with the Blaze. Pike is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA, 17 strikeouts and 7 walks this week. He has pitched at least 6 innings in each of his 2 starts, and has allowed 2 runs or less in both outings. There is still time for the 21-year-old southpaw to regain his former top prospect status, but he will need to keep pitching like he is right now.

Austin Wilson – RF – Hot

Austin Wilson is a blue chip prospect on paper, but the results have not been there in 2015. However, he is finally starting to show signs of life at the plate. Wilson is hitting .308 with 1 double over the last 7 days. He is still hitting below the Mendoza line on the season, but hopefully the former 2nd round pick is turning the corner.

Next: Clinton LumberKings

Clinton LumberKings – A – 29-50, 7th Place in Midwest League Eastern Divison

Joe DeCarlo – 3B – Not

The former 2nd round pick has failed to live up expectations thus far in 2015, and this week was no different. DeCarlo is hitting a measly .105 with 1 double and 1 RBI over the past 7 days. The 21-year-old is hitting an even .200 on the season with 7 home runs and 26 RBI’s. DeCarlo is not having a terrible season, but I would not classify it as a successful one either. He will likely get another season to try and impressive the Mariners’ brass.

Estarlyn Morales – RF – Hot

The 22-year-old Dominican has put together a solid week in Clinton, hitting .286 with 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 6 RBI’s and 1 stolen base. Morales is having a decent season with the LumberKings in 2015, posting a .244 batting average with 4 home runs, 37 RBI’s and 13 stolen bases. He has great raw skills, and Morales possesses plenty of upside moving forward.

Tyler Herb – RHP – Not

The Coastal Carolina University alum had a good month of June for Clinton, but he has stumbled out of the gate in July. Herb made 1 start this week, and it did not go well. The 23-year-old right-hander could not escape the 4th inning, allowing 6 runs on 8 hits. Herb is by no means a top prospect for Seattle, but he has done a reasonably nice job in 2015.

Next: Everett AquaSox

June 9, 2013; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers pitcher Andrew Moore (23) pitches against the Kansas State Wildcats in the Corvallis Super Regional at Goss Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Everett AquaSox – Short Season Single A – 11-5, 1st Place in Northwest League Northern Division

Alex Jackson – RF – Cold

The Mariners’ top prospect has had a terrible season in 2015. Jackson started the year with the LumberKings before being demoted to Everett. The 19-year-old is hitting .188 with 1 double, 1 home run and 3 RBI’s this week with the AquaSox. The homer was his first at any level this year. Hopefully the young man has not lost too much confidence this season, as he still has immense potential at the plate.

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