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

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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 /

The Mariners have been fun to watch in 2016, but their minor-league affiliates have been equally as impressive this season.

The Seattle Mariners are currently one of the best teams in all of baseball, but their success is not an excuse to ignore the performances by their top prospects in the minor-leagues. It’s been painful in recent years for M’s fans to see many of the club’s youngsters flounder in Seattle, but hopefully some of the names on this list can curb that trend.

Today will turn our attention to the Tacoma Rainiers, Jackson Generals, Bakersfield Blaze and Clinton LumberKings. Remarkably only one of the Mariners’ affiliates (Bakersfield) doesn’t have a winning record in 2016.

The Rainiers are the M’s Class-AAA affiliate and they play in the Northern Division of the Pacific Coast League. Tacoma has a roster full of players with big league experience, and they currently sit in first place with a record of 29-17.

Jackson is the Mariners Class-AA affiliate in the Southern League. The Generals feature a number of the M’s top prospects, and they have posted a 27-18 record and sit in first place in the North Division.

The Bakersfield Blaze are the M’s A+ affiliate in the California League. The Blaze have not been burning hot this season, as they sit in the third place in the Northern Division with a 20-26 record.

The Clinton LumberKings are the Mariners Class-A affiliate in the Western Division of the Midwest League. The LumberKings feature a number of unheralded prospects, but they have surprised many by going 24-21 in 2016.

Next: Tacoma Rainiers

Jul 6, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher David Rollins (73) throws against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Tacoma Rainiers – It’s Raining Wins in Tacoma

Boog Powell – CF – Hot

The Mariners acquired Boog Powell from the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason, and the 23-year-old center fielder is finding his stroke in Tacoma. He is currently riding a 6-game hitting streak, during which he has posted a .385 batting average with 1 triple, 1 home run, 2 RBI and 2 stolen bases. On the season, Powell is slashing .279/.343/.370 across 39 games.

Dario Pizzano – OF – Hot

Mr. Pizzano struggled out of the gate this season in Tacoma, but he has turned it on as of late. The Columbia University alum has hit safely in 13 of his last 15 games, posting a .333 batting average with 2 doubles, 2 triples and 7 RBI. The 25-year-old corner outfielder is slashing .272/.307/.370 through 25 games this season.

Mike Zunino – C – Not

Z has been one of the Rainiers most productive hitters in 2016, but he has fallen on hard times the past couple weeks. Zunino is hitting just .181 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI since May 2. His .293/.361/.580 slash line this season is still likely to warrant a trip to the AAA All-Star Game, but hopefully he starts trending in the right direction soon.

David Rollins – LHP – Hot

David Rollins struggled for much of his debut season with the Mariners in 2015, but he has gotten into a groove this year with the Rainiers. The 26-year-old southpaw has dominated during his last 10 appearances, going 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA. Rollins boasts a 1.37 ERA across 16 appearances this season, and his 16:0 strikeout to walk ratio is perfect.

Jonathan Aro – RHP – Hot

The Mariners acquired Aro from the Boston Red Sox this past winter, and he has proven to be one of the Rainiers most consistent relievers in 2016. The 25-year-old is 2-1 with 1 save and a 0.82 ERA across his last 9 appearances. Overall, Aro has posted a 1.52 ERA through 23.2 innings pitched.

Next: Jackson Generals

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 – The Generals are Destroying the Southern League

Tyler O’Neill – RF – Hot

The Langley, BC native has torn apart the Southern League in 2016. O’Neill started the season by reaching base safely in 28 consecutive games, and he has reached in 40 of 43 games this season. Overall, the 20-year-old slugger is hitting .311 with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs and 29 RBI this year. O’Neill is definitely a prospect to watch for M’s fans this summer.

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Edwin Diaz – RHP – Hot

The Mariners top pitching prospect has lived to the hype in 2016. Diaz has been excellent since shifting to the bullpen, posting a 0.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 7 innings of work. The 22-year-old is 3-3 on the season with a 2.50 ERA. It’s possible fans in the Emerald City could get their first look at Diaz at some point this year.

D.J. Peterson – 1B – Hot

The M’s former top overall prospect has had a rough couple seasons, but he appears to finally be getting his swing sorted out. Peterson is riding a 5-game hitting streak, during which he has hit .450 with 3 doubles, 1 home run and 4 RBI. His season slash line of .242/.307/.379 still leaves something to be desired, but at least he is heading in the right direction.

Ryan Yarbrough – LHP – Hot

Yarbs may not have the same name recognition as other M’s prospects, but the 24-year-old southpaw is having one heck of a season in Jackson. Yarbrough has won 5 consecutive starts, while posting a 1.45 ERA. On the season, he is 5-1 with a 2.49 ERA through 9 starts.

Steve Baron – C – Hot

Some fans may remember Baron from when he played for the Mariners at the tail end of last season. He has spent the first two months playing for the Generals in 2016, and he is on fire right now. Baron has hit safely in 24 of the 31 games he has appeared in this season. He is slashing .292/.390/.349 with 4 doubles, 1 triple and 16 RBI. He’s buried behind a number of capable backstops in the M’s organization, but Baron should be proud of the work he is doing in Jackson.

Next: Bakersfield Blaze

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

Bakersfield Blaze – The Fire’s Burnt Out in Bakersfield

Tyler Marlette – C – Hot

The Blaze’s backstop has been heating up recently. After a sluggish start to the 2016 season, Marlette is riding an 8-game hitting streak. The 23-year-old has posted a .400 batting average during the streak with 2 doubles, 5 home runs and 11 RBI. Hopefully Marlette can bottle this magic and change the course of his season.

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Chantz Mack – LF – Hot

The Mack is back, and he’s raking right now in the California League. The 25-year-old has reached safely in 12 of his last 13 games, posting a .357 batting average with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs and 12 RBI. On the season, Mack is slashing .273/.383/.447 with 4 home runs and 31 RBI across 42 games. The Mariners might take a “chantz” on Mack if he can keep producing at the plate.

Tyler Herb – RHP – Hot

This 24-year-old has been one of the best hurlers in the California League this season. Herb is 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA through 8 starts this season with the Blaze. He has posted a 54:18 strikeout to walk ratio in 42 innings, and he has limited the opposition to a .208 batting average.

Kyle Petty – 1B – Hot

Petty has had a great season so far with Bakersfield, and his last dozen games have been his best. Petty has reached safely in 10 of his last 12 games, hitting .360 with 4 doubles, 2 home runs and 7 RBI during that span. On the season, the 25-year-old is slashing .314/.394/.468 with 5 home runs and 25 RBI through 45 games.

Jay Baum – 3B – Hot

Baum has reached base safely in 22 consecutive games, hitting .284 with 4 doubles, 1 triple and 17 RBI during the streak. Overall, the 23-year-old corner infielder is slashing .286/.365/.411 on the season with 3 home runs and 31 RBI across 43 games.

Next: Clinton LumberKings

Clinton LumberKings – The LumberKing is the Most Respected Member of the Royal Family

Art Warren – RHP – Hot

Art Warren has put together arguably the best first two months of any starting pitcher in the M’s organization. The 23-year-old is 5-0 with a sparkling 1.12 ERA through his first 8 starts of the season. The 23rd round pick in 2015 has posted a 31:18 strikeout to walk ratio, and held the opposition to a .213 batting average.

Dalton Kelly – 1B – Hot

Kelly has been the LumberKings’ best hitter in 2016, and he has hit safely in 13 of his last 17 games. The 21-year-old first baseman is slashing .325/.402/.431 with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run and 14 RBI through 41 games. The UC Santa Barbara alum may not have huge power potential, but he is getting on base at an alarming rate.

Conner Hale – INF – Hot

This LSU alum has had a rough first few months with Clinton in 2016, but he has turned things around during the past couple weeks. Hale has hit safely in 9 of his last 11 games, posting a .409 batting average with 3 doubles, 3 home runs and 5 RBI. His season slash line of .254/.305/.361 is less than impressive, but hopefully he can ride his recent hot streak into the summer.

Next: Updating the Injury Reports From the AL West

Darin Gillies – RHP – Hot

Gillies was selected by the Mariners in the 10th round of last June’s draft, and he’s been the LumberKings’ best reliever in 2016. The flame throwing 23-year-old is 4-1 with a 1.46 ERA and 3 saves through 13 appearances. Gillies has posted a 23:4 strikeout to walk ratio, and limited the opposition to a .149 batting average across 24.2 innings. This Arizona State alum has a chance to move quickly through the M’s system.

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

The Mariners have been fun to watch in 2016, but their minor-league affiliates have been equally as impressive this season.

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