How are the Mariners Top Prospects Faring this Spring?

Find out which Mariners prospects have excelled and which have disappointed this spring in Peoria.

Spring training serves as an opportunity for the veterans to get ready for the regular season, but it also gives fans a chance to see some of the best young players in the organization. Here at SoDo Mojo, we ranked the top 20 prospects in the Seattle Mariners organization prior to the start of the Cactus League. Today we will discuss how these youngsters have fared in the desert this spring.

The Jack Zduriencik era was filled with busts and disappointing prospects. Many youngsters were rushed to the big leagues (see Mike Zunino) and others just failed to produce (see Dustin Ackley). Jerry Dipoto took over a depleted minor-league system when he was hired to be the M’s GM last September, and it will take some time to rebuild the farm.

The Mariners may not have many “can’t miss” prospects, but there are still plenty of young players who will make an impact in Seattle in the near future. We have had a chance to see many of them this spring in Peoria. Some have played better than expected, and others have looked overmatched.

We will begin this slideshow by discussing Jonathan Aro, who placed 20th in SoDo Mojo’s list of the M’s top prospects.

Next: The Aro is pointing down

Tyler Smith – SS

The Oregon State alum placed 19th in SoDo Mojo’s rankings, but Tyler Smith has exceeded expectations this spring in Peoria. He has slashed .316/.381/.421 across 19 Cactus League at bats. Smitty has clubbed a pair of doubles, drove in 1 run, scored 3 and stole a base in 10 games.

Smith tore up the Southern League last season with the Jackson Generals. He posted an impressive .271/.361/.354 slash line through 443 at bats in AA. He contributed 24 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs and 32 RBI across 121 games with the Generals. Smith is an incredibly patient hitter, and he nursed 61 free passes in 2015.

Originally selected in the 8th round of the 2013 draft, Smith appears to be on the fast track to Seattle. The 24-year-old’s strong performance this spring could catapult him into the big leagues at some point in 2016.

Next: Cousino's continues to struggle offensively

Austin Cousino – CF

The 22-year-old is the Mariners 16th best prospect according to us, but Austin Cousino has looked overmatched at the plate this spring in Peoria. He has seen time in 5 games, going hitless through 4 at bats with a pair of strikeouts and 1 caught stealing.

Offensive struggles are nothing new to Cousino, as he looked uncomfortable at the plate with the Clinton LumberKings in 2015. Cousino slashed a disappointing .190/.253/.254 across 257 at bats. He contributed 11 doubles, 2 triples, 12 RBI and 9 stolen bases in 57 games.

Cousino was considered one of the best defensive outfielders in the country at the University of Kentucky, but scouts have long worried about his ability to handle the bat. The Mariners will likely send Cousino to the Bakersfield Blaze of the California League to start the 2016 season.

Next: Fry fried in the Arizona heat

Paul Fry – LHP

The 23-year-old southpaw was named the Seattle Mariners top minor-league reliever at the end of last season, and Paul Fry ranks as the M’s 13th best prospect. Fry has had mixed results in limited action this spring, posting a 6.00 ERA through 3 innings pitched. His 2:4 strikeout to walk ratio is his biggest issue, but the opposition has registered a paltry .222 batting average against Fry.

2015 was an incredible season for Fry. Combined, he posted a 2.02 ERA and saved 9 games in 50 appearances with the Bakersfield Blaze and Jackson Generals. Fry averaged 12.7 strikeouts per 9 innings and issued just 2.7 free passes per 9 innings. He registered a 4.71 strikeout to walk ratio, and held the opposition to 1.150 walks/hits per inning. Most remarkable of all, Fry allowed 0 home runs in 80 innings pitched.

The Waterford, MI native remains one of the Mariners top prospects, and he should begin the season in Tacoma with the Rainiers. The M’s are looking for competent relievers, and I expect Fry to get a shot in the Emerald City this summer.

Next: There will soon be a new Bishop in Seattle

Braden Bishop – CF

The University of Washington alum placed 12th in our list of the Mariners top 20 prospects, and Braden Bishop has lived up to the hype so far in spring training. He is hitting .333 with 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 strikeout and 1 caught stealing across 7 games.

The Mariners selected Bishop in the third round of the 2015 draft, and assigned him to the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League last summer. Bishop excelled in Everett, slashing .320/.367/.393 across 248 plate appearances. He showed much more pop than most experts expected, clubbing a pair of home runs and driving in 22 runs through 56 games. Bishop also contributed 8 doubles, 2 triples and 13 stolen bases.

Bishop is still a couple years away from contributing in Seattle, but his strong showing this spring is definitely encouraging. Look for Braden to open the 2016 season with the Clinton LumberKings or the Bakersfield Blaze.

Next: Pizzano was hit and miss this spring

Dario Pizzano – OF

The Columbia University alum entered camp as the Mariners 11th best prospect, but Dario Pizzano has been just okay in limited action this spring. He has slashed .250/.368/.500 across 13 games. Pizzano is 4 for 16 with a double, a home run and 2 RBI in Cactus League play. He’s had his moments, but he has looked overmatched at the plate the majority of the time.

Pizzano spent 2015 with the Jackson Generals in the Southern League. He slashed .308/.366/.457 through 243 plate appearances last season. Pizzano added 13 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs and 33 RBI to his impressive stat line. The Mariners sent him to the Arizona Fall League following the season, and Pizzano did a nice job against the best young talent in the game.

The 24-year-old corner outfielder is on the fast track to Seattle, and he should open this season in Tacoma with the Rainiers. Look for Pizzano to make his debut with the Mariners this summer or early next year.

Next: Moore couldn't have done more this spring

Andrew Moore – RHP

The 21-year-old right-hander is the Mariners 10th best prospect, and he lived up to the billing in his brief action this spring in Peoria. Andrew Moore pitched in one game this spring, allowing 1 unearned run on 3 hits across 2 innings of work. He struck out 1 and did not issue any free passes.

Originally selected in the second round of the 2015 draft, Moore was assigned to the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League last summer. He dominated the competition, going 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA across 14 appearances. Moore tallied 43 strikeouts and limited the opposition to 1.000 walks/hits per inning. Most impressive of all was the fact that he issued just 2 free passes in 39 innings of work.

The Oregon State alum is expected to move quickly through the Mariners system, and could debut in Seattle as early as 2017. Moore should begin the 2016 season with the Clinton LumberKings or the Bakersfield Blaze.

Next: O'Neill flexed his muscles in Peoria

Tyler O’Neill – OF

The Langley, BC product was the co-winner of the Mariners Minor-League Player of the Year in 2015, and we ranked him as the M’s 7th best prospect. Tyler O’Neill has been very impressive this spring, hitting .333 with 1 home run and 5 RBI through 10 games. He has struck out 4 times, but his .667 slugging percentage more than makes up for it.

O’Neill was phenomenal last season for the Bakersfield Blaze. He tore apart the California League, posting a .260/.316/.558 slash line with 32 home runs and 87 RBI across 106 games. His 32 home runs not only led the California League, but it was also the highest tally of any Mariner at any level of the minor-leagues in 2015. O’Neill also showed off some speed on the base paths, legging out 23 extra-base hits and swiping 16 bases.

The 20-year-old still needs some time in the minors to refine his approach at the plate, but he could serve as a middle of the order bat one day in Seattle. O’Neill should begin the 2016 season with the Jackson Generals.

Next: Boog struggles in first spring with Seattle

Boog Powell – CF

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The Seattle Mariners acquired Boog Powell from the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason, and he ranked 6th in SoDo Mojo’s list of the M’s top prospects. He has struggled this spring offensively, slashing .148/.233/.185 through 27 at bats. Powell has doubled once, struck out 5 times, walked 3 times and swiped a pair of bases so far in spring training. Despite his disappointing numbers, Powell has shown off impressive range and a steady glove in the outfield.

Powell started the 2015 season with the Rays’ double-A affiliate in Montgomery before earning a promotion to Durham. Overall, he hit .295 with 3 home runs, 40 RBI and 18 stolen bases across 117 games in 2015. Powell registered a .385 on base percentage and slugged .392 through 522 plate appearances.

The 23-year-old has a very bright future, and he should make his debut in the Emerald City at some point this season. Look for him to start 2016 with the Tacoma Rainiers in the Pacific Coast League.

Next: Jackson falls flat in Arizona

Drew Jackson – SS

The Stanford alum took home the Northwest League MVP last season, and he earned the number 4 spot in our list of the Mariners top prospects. Drew Jackson has only played in 5 games this spring, and he has gone hitless in 5 at bats. He has struck out once, and has yet to draw a walk. Jackson has played decent defensively, but did commit a throwing error.

Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, Jackson was phenomenal lat season with the Everett AquaSox season. He hit .358 with 2 home runs, 26 RBI and 47 stolen bases across 59 games with the Sox. The young shortstop registered a .432 on base percentage and slugged .447. His 35:30 strikeout to walk ratio through 266 plate appearances is ideal.

The 22-year-old will likely rise quickly through the M’s system, and could be seen at Safeco Field as early 2017. Jackson will begin the 2016 season with the Clinton LumberKings or the Bakersfield Blaze.

Next: Zych has earned a spot on the M's opening day roster

Tony Zych – RHP

The Mariners acquired Tony Zych from the Chicago Cubs last season for $1. Not a bad deal considering we rank him as the M’s third best prospect. Zych has performed well for Seattle this spring, posting a 4.05 ERA with 1 save through 7 appearances. He has struck out 13 and walked just 1 through 6.2 innings pitched.

The 25-year-old right-hander made his big league debut last season with the M’s. Zych dazzled in Seattle, registering a 2.45 ERA and a 2.04 FIP across 13 appearances. He struck out 24 and walked 3 through 18.1 innings pitched. Zych spent the bulk of 2015 in the minor-leagues. He split the season between the Jackson Generals and Tacoma Rainiers. Zych was very effective for both clubs, going a combined 1-2 with a 2.98 ERA and 9 saves in 40 appearances.

Next: Mariners Roundtable: Most Surprising Players

Seattle is desperate for relievers right now, and Zych is more than deserving of a spot in the M’s bullpen this season. His remarkable ability to rack up strikeouts could make him an option to close games for the Mariners in the near future.