Mariners Farm Report: 3 Prospects to Watch in 2017

Sep 30, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto conducts an interview in the dugout before a game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto conducts an interview in the dugout before a game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, April 6th, the Mariners minor league teams began their seasons. While most fans will eagerly track Tyler O’Neill and Daniel Vogelbach, most prospects will be more or less ignored. Here are three low-profile prospects to keep an eye on in 2017.

Emilio Pagan

Mariner fans were able to catch a glimpse of Pagan as he pitched for Team Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic (video below). Standing at 6’3″ 210 lbs,  the 25-year-old career reliever could make his big league debut in 2017.

He has a solid fastball, that sits in the low 90’s with good sink that can hit 96 when he reaches back. Pagan has some deception in his delivery, making his fastball play up. His best off-speed pitch is his nasty slider. Its great plane and tilt make it a true “out pitch”.

Pagan has 269 career strikeouts in 225.2 innings pitched, while walking just 78 in that time. He is likely not a “relief ace” type of guy but can pitch in the middle innings effectively and for a long time.

Pagan has appeared in 145 games with a career 2.43 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP.

Eric Filia

Filia burst onto the scene as the offensive star of the 2013 NCAA World Series champ UCLA, hitting .444 with 8 RBI’s in 5 CWS games. He appeared primed to be a high draft pick following the 2014 season but missed the entire year due to a labrum surgery.

Filia appeared ready to come back in 2015 but was suspended for the entire season for plagiarizing a philosophy paper during summer classes. Filia could have transferred to a NAIA school, or sign on with as an undrafted free agent with a professional team. Instead, Filia rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

Filia could have transferred to a NAIA school, or sign on with as an undrafted free agent with a professional team. Instead, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

After working three jobs during his time off (read about it here) Filia was allowed back onto the Bruins by Head Coach John Savage. He returned with a bang for his redshirt senior season, slashing .295/.415/.411 before being drafted by the Mariners in the 20th round of the 2016 MLB Draft.

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Filia continued his success at UCLA instantly, winning the Northwest League Batting Crown, slashing .362/.455/.496. He has an extremely open stance and is more of a doubles hitter than a home run guy. He has solid but average tools across the board and could find himself in AA by the end of the 2017 season.

Filia combination of solid skill set and his ability to control the zone ( he had 20 more BB than K’s in 2017) makes him an intriguing name to watch in 2017.

Braden Bishop

Braden Bishop, the former University of Washington centerfielder, is in a bit of a make or break year. The third round pick of the 2015 Draft, Bishop needs to show improvement with his bat in 2017 if he wants to be considered a potential starting option in the big leagues.

Defensively, Bishop is the best player in the Mariners minor league system. A true centerfielder, Bishop combines his plus speed with dynamic instincts and routes to run down everything hit his way. His arm is good enough to play right field but is a real weapon in center.

Bishop had a surprising start at the plate in 2015, slashing .320/.367/.391 for the Everett Aqua Sox. Bishop built on that in 2016, starting off well in Clinton. However, he struggled mightily after a promotion to High-A, managing a meager .302 OBP.

Bishop will never be a power hitter. His game is speed and defense, similar to what Jarrod Dyson currently provides the Mariners. His defense and base-running will likely get him a big league job as a 4th outfielder (think Peter Bourjos).

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If he can hit, he could be the Mariners CF of the future, with Tyler O’Neill and Kyle Lewis flanking him on either side.

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