Mariners Minor-League Roundup: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not

Apr 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) fields a ball during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) fields a ball during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 16, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Canadian dugout reacts as Canada left fielder Tyler O Neill (13) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against Puerto Rico during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Ajax Pan Am Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Canadian dugout reacts as Canada left fielder Tyler O Neill (13) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against Puerto Rico during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Ajax Pan Am Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Jackson Generals: 6-4, 1st place in Southern League North Division

Hot – Tyler O’Neill – RF

Tyler O’Neill is one of the Mariners most exciting prospects, and he has been very impressive through the first two weeks of the Generals season. The Langley, BC native is hitting .306 with 1 home run and 5 RBI through 9 games. The knock on O’Neill is that he swings and misses too much, and he has struck out a team high 10 times in 36 at bats. Regardless, O’Neill has as much raw power as anyone in the minor-leagues, and it will be fun to watch him develop this season in Jackson.

Hot – Edwin Diaz – RHP

Edwin Diaz is widely regarded as the Mariners top pitching prospect, and the youngster has lived up to the hype so far this season. The 22-year-old is 1-1 with a 1.64 ERA through his first 2 outings. Diaz has posted an impressive 16:1 strikeout to walk ratio, and he has limited the opposition to just 0.64 walks/hits per inning. The lanky right-hander will likely finish this season in Tacoma before getting the call to Seattle in 2017.

Not – D.J. Peterson – 1B/3B

This former top prospect continues to struggle at the plate. D.J. Peterson had a miserable campaign in 2015, and he is off to another poor start this season. The University of New Mexico alum has slashed .175/.233/.225 through 40 at bats. He has struck out 9 times and worked 2 free passes in 10 games. Peterson’s star is free falling, and the new regime in Seattle is unlikely to show much patience with the 24-year-old corner infielder.

Hot – Guillermo Heredia – CF

Guillermo Heredia was signed out of Cuba this offseason, and he is quickly making a name for himself in the Southern League. The 25-year-old center fielder has mad wit look easy in Jackson, hitting .378 with 2 doubles, 1 home run and 9 RBI. Heredia is unlikely to spend much time with the Generals, and we could see him patrolling center field at Safeco Field this season.

Hot – Sam Gaviglio – RHP

Sam Gaviglio is off to a fine start with the Jackson Generals in 2016, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his first 2 outings. The Oregon State alum has struck out 8 and walked 2 in 11 innings of work. Gaviglio is not considered an elite prospect, but he could warrant a promotion to Tacoma this summer.

Next: Bakersfield Blaze