Mariners Minors: Checking in with the Everett AquaSox

Historic Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver, BC. The Nat is home to the Vancouver Canadians. (Photo Credit: Brian Helberg)

On Tuesday night, I was afforded a unique opportunity to watch the Everett AquaSox play in my hometown of Vancouver, BC. The Canadians were hosting the AquaSox, and I was lucky enough to get a seat in the press box at historic Nat Bailey Stadium. Everett is the Seattle Mariners Class-A Short Season affiliate in the Northwest League.

I would be lying if I said it was a well played game, but it was very interesting to see how some of the M’s top prospects are faring this season. It was an error filled affair on both sides, and the Vancouver Canadians won 7-6 in the series finale.

The Everett AquaSox are currently leading the Northwest League Northern Division. The Mariners are not considered to have one of the better farm systems in baseball, but there is plenty of young talent on the AquaSox.

Before I get started I would like to personally recommend taking in a game at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver, BC. Built in 1951, The Nat remains one of the premier Minor League stadiums in North America. Home to triple-A baseball for nearly 25 years, Nat Bailey Stadium is the jewel of the Northwest League. Click here to learn more about Nat Bailey Stadium.

I was hoping to see Braden Bishop, Ryan Uhl, Andrew Moore and Luiz Gohara, but unfortunately, none of these names were in the starting lineup on Tuesday night. Thankfully, there were more than a few intriguing prospects in the AquaSox ‘s starting 9.

A few of the players stood out to me, and I decided to take my notes and make them into a slideshow. We will start with Alex Jackson, who is currently the Mariners top prospect according to MLB.com.

Next: Alex Jackson

Top prospect Alex Jackson in right field for Everett on August 11th. (Photo Credit: Brian Helberg)

Alex Jackson – RF

The 19-year-old corner outfielder is currently ranked as the Mariners top prospect according to MLB.com. Alex Jackson sure lived up to the hype on Tuesday. AJ absolutely demolished a fastball in the top of the first inning, launching a 2-run shot that landed at least 50 feet beyond the left field wall. He finished 1 for 3 with a home run and a walk.

Simply put, Jackson’s swing is special. It’s quick, compact and ultra-powerful. When Jackson connects, the crack of his bat sounds different.

The Mariners selected Jackson with the 6th overall selection in the 2014 draft, and many have viewed his 2015 season as a failure. After showing well with Seattle in Spring Training, Jackson hit .157 across 28 games in single-A Clinton. Understandably, the M’s demoted him to Everett.

I had a chance to talk toPat Dillon, voice of the AquaSox, and he attributed Jackson’s struggles to a lack of patience at the plate and injuries. However, he is slowly finding his stroke with the AquaSox. Jackson is hitting .277 with 3 home runs and 14 RBI across 27 games.

There is no question Alex Jackson will be patrolling right field at Safeco Field at some point in the near future. However, he is still very raw, and his progression through the M’s system may take a bit longer than many would have hoped. Personally, I consider his skill set to be elite, but patience will be the key for fans and executives.

Next: Corey Simpson

Corey Simpson patrolling left field for Everett. (Photo Credit: Brian Helberg)

Corey Simpson – LF

Corey Simpson flashed some big time power on Tuesday night, ripping a line drive that split the gap in left-center field. Drew Jackson and Logan Taylor trotted around to score as the 21-year-old glided into second base with a standup double. Simpson finished just 1 for 5, but his first inning double was one of the better hit balls of the night. He also played an unspectacular, but solid left field for the AquaSox.

The Sweeney, TX product is an imposing figure. Simpson stands tall at 6’2 and tips the scales at 210 lbs. His body is reminiscent of a young Franklin Gutierrez, and his playing style is somewhat similar as well. He bats right-handed and throws right-handed. Simpson has tallied 3 outfield assists in 2015, but his defense is still a bit of a work in progress.

Simpson was selected by the Mariners in the third round of the 2013 draft, and he is currently repeating at Everett. That is obviously not an ideal situation for the youngster, but the extra time in the Northwest League appears to be paying off. Simpson is hitting .283 on the season with a team leading 7 home runs and 39 RBI across 46 games.

Next: Darin Gillies

Darin Gillies pitching for the Everett AquaSox on August 11th. (Photo Credit: Brian Helberg)

Darin Gillies – RHP

Selected in the 10th round of the 2015 draft, Darin Gillies has seen time as a starter and a reliever with the AquaSox this season. It was a bullpen kind of game on Tuesday, and Gillies was one of the few effective hurlers on either team. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed 1 earned run on 6 hits through 4.1 innings. Gillies struck out 2 and walked 1, but was credited with a blown save.

Gillies relies heavily on a low 90’s fastball. He locates it pretty well, and it constantly hovers in the 92-93 mph range. His other pitches are still developing, but his change up looks like a pitch that could be a nice complimentary piece down the road.

Gillies is having a solid debut season in Everett. He has appeared in 11 games, with 6 starts. Gillies is 1-2 on the season with a 4.50 ERA. He has fanned 27 and walked 16 across 32 innings pitched.

The Arizona State alum has ideal size for a right-handed starting pitcher. At 6’4/214, it is easy to see Gillies transitioning to the starting rotation as his stuff develops. We will see what the M’s brass opts to do with Gillies, but I think his best chance of making the big leagues will come as a reliever.

Next: Logan Taylor

Logan Taylor manning the hot corner for the AquaSox. (Photo Credit: Brian Helberg)

Logan Taylor – 3B

The 21-year-old had a nice night at the dish for Everett on Tuesday. Logan Taylor worked a walk in the first, and came around to score on Corey Simpson’s double. He also showed some impressive power later in the game, connecting on an opposite field double that soared over the right fielder’s head and short hopped the wall. Taylor has split his time evenly between the infield and the outfield in 2015, and he played a solid third base for the AquaSox the night I saw him. He finished 1 for 3 with a double, 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Taylor was not expected to be a major contributor in Everett’s lineup this season, but he has proven to be a very valuable and versatile player. Seattle selected Taylor in the 12th round this year, and he is hitting .308 with 3 home runs, 34 RBI and 9 stolen bases across 42 games.

The Texas A&M alum hits right-handed and throws right-handed. Taylor is well built at 6’1/200. I really like his game, but Taylor does not possess a true standout tool. I feel like his future will likely be as a super-utility player, in the mold of Willie Bloomquist.

Next: Drew Jackson

Drew Jackson playing shortstop for Everett on August 11th. (Photo Credit: Brian Helberg)

Drew Jackson – SS

The Stanford alum stood out as the best all-around player on the diamond on Tuesday night. Drew Jackson led things off in the first inning with a single. Following a Logan Taylor walk, Jackson swiped third base. He got another chance in the 2nd inning, and he capitalized, yanking a double on a ground ball down the left field line.

Jackson really impressed me in the 4th inning. He was up to bat and found himself in a 1-2 hole. He proceeded to foul off a number of quality pitches, and worked the count full. Jackson ended up winning the at bat, reaching first base on a well deserved walk. Despite getting a poor jump, the 22-year-old proceeded to steal second base to put himself into scoring position. He finished 2 for 4 with a double and a pair of steals on Tuesday.

Drew Jackson is not just an offensive threat. His calling card in Palo Alto was his defense. He made some nice plays ranging up the middle in the early part of the game. Then, Jackson made one of the best plays I have ever seen a shortstop make. He sprinted to his right and fielded a hard hit ground ball deep in the hole. Jackson picked up the grounder, did a jump throw to first and got the runner by a few feet. Arm strength is not an issue for Jackson, and he showed off his cannon on numerous occasions on Tuesday.

Jackson is hands down the best player on the AquaSox, and from what I heard on Tuesday, he is the heavy favorite to take home the Northwest League MVP. Jackson has been named NWL Player of the Week twice in 2015.

The 6’2/195 middle infielder was selected by the M’s in the 5th round of the 2015 draft. Jackson bats right-handed and throws right-handed. He has big league pedigree, as his older brother is former Cubs’ top prospect Brett Jackson. The Orinda, CA product has posted an astronomical .395 batting average with 2 home runs, 18 RBI and 34 stolen bases across 40 games.

This kid is an extremely exciting prospect, and one all M’s fans should be paying close attention to in the years to come. I expect Drew to be listed as a top 10 prospect for Seattle in 2016 and move quickly through the M’s system. I would not be surprised if Jackson is playing at Safeco Field within the next 24 months.

Next: Luis Liberato

Luis Liberato in center field for Everett. (Photo Credit: Brian Helberg)

Luis Liberato – CF

Luis Liberato is an intriguing young center fielder. He went hitless in both of his at bats on Tuesday, but laid down a pair of perfect sacrifice bunts. Liberato looked very comfortable in center field, and showed off a good arm on a couple occasions.

Liberato is a quick twitch athlete, who can do a little bit of everything. He may not be a true 5-tool outfield prospect, but I love his versatility. The 19-year-old has good speed, hits for average and has more pop than you would expect. He is decent defensively, and has the ability to defend all three outfield spots. Liberato is hitting .264 with 4 home runs, 22 RBI’s and 7 steals across 36 games.

The big leagues may still be a long ways off, but Liberato should start 2016 in Clinton with the LumberKings.

Next: Matt Clancy