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Seattle Mariners Mock Draft 2.0

By Colby Patnode

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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Pick 90: Where Are The Bats?

SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 19: Fans cheer as Evan Gattis #11 of the Houston Astros walks off the field after being tagged out by Daniel Vogelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners to cause a triple play by starting to walk off the field with two outs in the fourth inning at Safeco Field on April 19, 2018, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 19: Fans cheer as Evan Gattis #11 of the Houston Astros walks off the field after being tagged out by Daniel Vogelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners to cause a triple play by starting to walk off the field with two outs in the fourth inning at Safeco Field on April 19, 2018, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

Typically, teams don’t go pitching with their first 3 picks, but if a guy slides to this spot, Dipoto will jump on it quickly. But for our purposes, let’s assume that Seattle will spend at least 1 of their Top 100 picks on a hitter.

The issue we run into at this stage is that most of the prep bats worth a selection are long gone, and the college guys left have pretty glaring flaws.

The trick in this range is finding the player you believe in more than anybody else. Last year, the Mariners selected Wyatt Mills. The pick was so unexpected, the MLB Network crew had no notes prepared for him. It was a money saving pick but appears to be a home run selection.

Mills is dominating the low minors, and is on the fast track to the big leagues, and could be pitching for the Mariners in September.

This time around, the Mariners find their man by going to a place where one of their current stars burst onto the scene.

player. 62. Scouting Report. OF. Cal Poly. AlexMcKenna. 90. Pick Analysis

If you don’t know, Cal Poly is the school that brought you Mitch Haniger. Yes, that Mitch Haniger. The Mariners could dip back into the program, and select this college performer, who actually bears a pretty similar skill set to Haniger.

McKenna is a good hitter with a sound approach, who can use the whole field with plus gap power. Sound familiar? In addition, McKenna has average speed that plays up in the outfield thanks to his advanced breaks and crisp routes. Yeah, that sounds familiar.

Where McKenna falls behind Haniger is with his arm strength and power. The arm probably will limit him to left field, but he should be at solid-average to above-average there. Some scouts believe that more power will come, but if it doesn’t McKenna should have a nice career as a 4th outfielder.

His approach at the plate and overall decent skill set make him a safe pick in the 3rd round, and one that could be an absolute grand slam if the power comes.

Next: MLB Draft Prospect Profile: Nick Madrigal

There you have it, another Mariner’sMock in the books. The MLB is just 3 weeks away, and the Mariners have a unique opportunity to add legitimate talent to their organization. Will they take advantage? Only time will tell.

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