Will Boog Powell Make the Mariners Opening Day Roster?

The Mariners Outfield isn’t getting any younger, is Boog Powell that next young spark for the M’s?

Boog Powell, a wonderful name, and possibly Seattle Mariners next young spark?  You probably remember the name, but not for the best reason.  On June 23, 2016, Boog was suspended for 80 games after a failed performance-enhancing substance test.

That suspension ended his 2016 season. He played 64 games for the Mariner’s AAA affiliate Tacoma Rainiers hitting a respectable .270 during his time there.  Boog is one of the Mariners top prospects who hopes to make an impact in the majors sooner rather than later.

Boog was acquired by the M’s last November from the Tampa Bay Rays along with Nathan Karns and minor league outfielder C.J. Rienfenhauser, in exchange for Brad Miller, Logan Morrison, and Danny Farquhar.

It’s too early to judge who really won that trade and we might not know that answer for awhile. It also happened to be Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto’s first big move.  Dipoto seemed to be very high on Boog, but was obviously disappointed by the suspension.

The left-handed hitting Powell is playing for the Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League during this off-season and he is playing quite well.  Through eight games (as of October 30th) with the Aguilas Cibaenas, Boog is hitting .379 (11/29), with 5 walks and 4 stolen bases, as well as becoming a fan favorite in his short time there.

The vice president of baseball operations for the Aguilas Cibaenas is the Seattle Mariners own third base coach and swelmet enthusiast Manny Acta. Acta decided to bring a couple other Mariners down to play with the team as well.  Former M’s pitcher Roenis Elias is also on that team.

It is certainly a good sign that Boog is having success down in the Dominican League. Hopefully, he can bring that back to the states with him.

Now, how does Boog fit into the Seattle’s 2017 plans and beyond?

Leonys Martin has cemented himself as the M’s starting center fielder, but the corner outfield spots are up for grabs.

Nelson Cruz loves to play the outfield but with his age climbing up there it’s going to be difficult to put him out in right field all the time.

More from SoDo Mojo

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
• Could the Mariners Acquire AL Batting Champion, Luis Arraez?
• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB

Norichika Aoki has a name that absolutely compares to Boog’s in wonderfulness but there is no denying that Nori had a terrible first half and is not getting any younger.  Nori had us scratching our heads more than once after some of his outfield misplays.

Franklin Gutierrez is a free agent to be and is no longer the “death to flying things” outfielder he used to be.

The M’s outfield needs to get younger and faster, its a simple as that, which is what most believe Dipoto eventually wants.  Ben Gamel and Guillermo Heredia gave a nice young spark to the M’s last year, but have proven very little in terms of being a major leaguer.

Seth Smith is not the most fleet of foot out there, even though the dad of the team did show some flashes of speed during 2016.  The M’s outfield needs to get younger and faster, its a simple as that, which is what most believe Dipoto eventually wants.

Boog Powell could be that next young outfield spark for the M’s in 2017.  As for whether or not Boog will be on the M’s opening day roster?

Next: Mariners Make Roster Moves

That might be a stretch because he still has 5 games left on his 80 game suspension from last year.  I do think that we will see Boog at some point during the 2017 season. We should just hope that when he does make his debut, he’ll have the same pop as he’s having in the Dominican League.