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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August 10, 2015; Vancouver, BC, CAN; Everett AquaSox center fielder Luis Liberato (2). Mandatory Credit: Brian Helberg-SoDo Mojo
August 10, 2015; Vancouver, BC, CAN; Everett AquaSox center fielder Luis Liberato (2). Mandatory Credit: Brian Helberg-SoDo Mojo /

Clinton LumberKings: 6-4, 3rd place in Midwest League Eastern Division

Hot – Luis Liberato – CF

Luis Liberato represents another intriguing young outfielder in the Mariners system. The 20-year-old is faring reasonably well this season in Clinton, slashing .314/.415/.400 with 1 double, 1 triple and 3 RBI through 9 games. Liberato possesses above average athleticism, and he has stolen 1 base so far this year. He also has a patient eye at the plate, and has a 7:6 strikeout to walk ratio to show for it.

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Not – Braden Bishop – CF

Braden Bishop received a look with the Mariners this spring in Arizona, and thus his slow start in Clinton comes as a mild surprise. The University of Washington alum is hitting .256 with 0 home runs and 3 RBI across 9 games. Bishop does have a .326 on base percentage, but his .282 slugging percentage is underwhelming. However, he is a great young man and I doubt he stays cold for long.

Hot – Art Warren – RHP

Art Warren is hardly a household name to Mariners fans, but he might be soon if he continues to dominate the Midwest League. The 23-year-old right-hander is 1-0 with a 0.87 ERA in 2 starts this season in Clinton. Warren has a 11:3 strikeout to walk ratio, and has limited the opposition to 0.87 walks/hits per inning. Seattle selected Warren in the 23rd round of the 2015 draft, and he is likely a couple years away from debuting at Safeco Field.

Hot – Lukas Schiraldi – RHP

The University of Texas alum went 4-13 last season with the LumberKings, but he appears to have learned from his mistakes so far in 2016. Lukas Schiraldi has won both of his starts this season and sports a 0.90 ERA. The 22-year-old right-hander has struck out 10 and walked 5 in 10 innings. It’s fair to suggest that Schiraldi will finish this season in Bakersfield with the Blaze.

Next: Mariners Weekly Rundown: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not

Not – Nick Wells – LHP

The Mariners landed Nick Wells from the Toronto Blue Jays last year as part of the return package for Mark Lowe. Wells has big league potential, but he has struggled so far with the LumberKings. The 20-year-old southpaw is 0-2 with a 12.96 ERA across his first 2 starts. Wells has allowed 12 runs on 14 hits in 8.1 innings pitched. He is still very young, and hopefully he improves as the season progresses.