Mariners of the Future: 3 Names to Keep an Eye On

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

With the MLB Amateur Draft just over 3 weeks away, it is time to kick our Mariners of the Future series into overdrive. Here are 3 names to keep your eyes on leading up to June 12th.

David Peterson, Left-Handed Pitcher Oregon

The Mariners could look Peterson’s way as he has shot up draft boards after an impressive spring at Oregon. The hype was capped off after he struck out 20 Arizona State Sun Devils on April 28th. The 6’6″ lefty has had scouts attention since High School, when he was a 28th round pick of the Boston Red Sox.

A traditional 4 pitch lefty, Peterson’s fastball sits at 91 MPH, with the ability to hit 94 on occasion. He backs it up with a solid slider that flashes as a plus pitch at times. The change-up is average at best, but does show some promise. The curveball lags well behind his pitches.

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Peterson backs up his above average stuff with good command. He knows how to pitch, and could be a quick to the big leagues #3 starter.

Evan White, First Base/Outfield Kentucky

White is one of the oddest players in this draft. He is a right-handed bat, who throws left-handed. He plays first base, but is one of the most athletic college bats in the draft. The team that drafts White will have to figure out where he will play in the big leagues. He is athletic enough, with a strong enough arm, to cover all 3 outfield spots at the next level. The drafting team could leave him at first, where he is already a plus defender with Gold Glove potential.

White’s weakest tool is his power, which is a big reason why the team might want to convert him to the outfield. With a career .357/.412/.526 career hitter, White has stepped his game up, slashing .380/.454/.654.

Logan Warmoth, Shortstop North Carolina

It is rare that a player goes from being undrafted out of high school to a first round pick 3 years later. Warmoth has a chance to be one of those player, after a stellar career at UNC. After taking the job a month into his freshman season, Warmoth fought off several highly touted recruits and held the job ever since.

Warmoth does not have any standout tools, but has no glaring weaknesses in his game. The most common thing said about Warmoth in scouting circles is that he “controls the strike zone”, using all fields, who understands himself as a hitter. Sounds like a Jerry Dipoto player right?

Warmoth has also grown into some power this year, and some are now projecting him to possibly be a 12-15 HR a year guy. Despite his slightly above average speed, Warmoth is a gifted base-runner. He is a career 37 of 49 base-stealer, including an impressive 18/21 this season.

Next: Mariners of the Future: Jeren Kendall

Warmoth is probably a second baseman long-term, but works hard as a defender, and should be a solid average defender up the middle or at third base.