Mariners 3 Round Mock Draft: A Burger and Cole-slaw

We are less than 2 weeks away from the MLB Amateur Draft. Where will the Mariners go? It is impossible to say with 100% certainty, but here is a 3 round mock draft for the Seattle Mariners.

Round 1 Pick 17 Seattle Mariners select Jake Burger, 3B Missouri State

Burger was one of the first players I profiled, which you can read here. Since the initial article, Burger has continued to rake, slashing .341/.459/.691 during the regular season. He has hit 22 home runs, and now has an impressive 41 walks to just 32 strikeouts.

Where Burger plays is still a mystery, though some think he can stick at third base and be serviceable. A move across the diamond isn’t out of the question, but it is his bat that will carry him to the big leagues.

Alternative Pick: David Peterson, LHP Oregon

Round 2, Pick 55 Seattle Mariners select Cole Brannen, OF Westfeild School, GA.

A few weeks back, MLB Trade Rumors’ Chuck Wasserstrom ran an article dissecting the 2009 Draft of the Arizona Diamondbacks. This is important simply because both Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto and VP of Scouting Tom Allison were both in the organization at that time.

The story talks about staggering picks between higher risk and safer picks. The Mariners did this in Dipoto’s first draft as well, drafting Joe Rizzo sandwiched between to safe picks of Kyle Lewis and Bryson Brigman. They can do the same thing in 2017.

Brannen, a high school outfielder, has one of the best run tools in the draft. Brannen uses his double plus speed to wreak havoc on the bases and to run down balls in centerfield. Brannen plus speed and defense give him a good shot to be, at worst, a 4th outfielder.

Brannen bat is the question. While many scouts like his short compact swing, there is some doubt about whether he can be more than below average at the plate. But if Brannen hits, he could be a .270/.340/.420 guy with 15 HR and 30 SB. That line, plus his speed and good defense, could make him a potential All-Star.

Alternative Pick: Tristian Beck, SP Stanford

Round 3, Pick 93 Seattle Mariners select Luis Gonzalez, OF New Mexico

Every year, a handful of players will produce gaudy numbers without any standout tools. Gonzalez fits that mold. He also fits the mold for player Jerry Dipoto loves.

Gonzalez slashed .361/.500/.589 in 2017, finishing in the top 20 in doubles in the NCAA. Despite hitting just 8 home runs in New Mexico, a power hitters paradise, Gonzalez ability to control the zone is what will make Dipoto’s heart skip a beat.

Gonzalez has a career 124/71 BB/K ratio. He walked 53 more times than he struck out. Gonzalez is also a gifted base stealer, despite only having slightly above average speed. He was successful on 35 of 36 attempts in college, including a perfect 32 of 32 the past 2 seasons.

Gonzalez should be an adequate CF in pro ball, but has the arm strength and range to play in all 3 spots. Some scouts compare the New Mexico product to Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte .

Alternative Pick: Joey Morgan, C Washington