Sodo Mojo’s Top 20 Seattle Mariners Prospects 20-11

Prospects 15-11

15. Bryson Brigman, MIF Modest Nuts

Bryson Brigman, the 23-year-old middle-infielder is having a breakout season at the plate(check out our interview with him here). After disappointing in his first 2 seasons of pro-ball, the third round pick is showing his potential for Modesto in 2018.

Brigman is currently slashing .296/.369/.378, adding 12 stolen bases in 18 attempts. As always, Brigman is playing excellent defense and has a chance to stick at SS long-term. Most scouts think he will be a second baseman but may ultimately find a role in the big leagues as a utility man.

Brigman does not possess any one standout tool, except perhaps his baseball IQ. If Brigman can continue to make strides at the plate by adding a little more pop, he can be an everyday starter. If not, he should still be a solid bat-to-ball middle-infielder.

Scouting Grade- Hit: 55 Power:30 Run: 55 Arm: 50 Field: 55 Overall: 50 ETA: 2021 Comp: Mark Ellis

14. Seth Elledge, RHP Modesto

The 2017 4th round pick, Seth Elledge finds himself with a group of relievers we call the “Big 4”, and has perhaps the highest upside of them all. Elledge has 3 quality pitches. His “go to” pitch is a heavy, sinking fastball that sits between 93-95 MPH. His slider and changeup both flash above-average, which leads some to wonder if he cannot start in the future.

The Mariners would not likely make the transition now, as Elledge has shown to be on the fast track to the big leagues. The 22-year-old is posting an incredible 12.6 K/9 in Modesto, posting a 1.05 and 0.87 WHIP in 34 innings.

If there is one area of strength in the Mariners system, it is with back-end bullpen options. Elledge is a potential 8th inning set-up man, or even a #4 type starter if a team decides to transition him back to the rotation.

Scouting Grades- Fastball: 65 Slider: 50 Changeup: 50 Control: 50 Overall: 50 ETA: 2019

13. Matt Festa, RHP Seattle Mariners

Festa actually made his MLB debut on Saturday and threw the ball okay. As a prospect, Matt Festa is an interesting case. He has a starter’s repertoire, relying on pitch sequence more than raw stuff.

However, this doesn’t mean that Festa doesn’t have good stuff. The fastball sits at 93 MPH, the slider has a good, sharp break, and the curveball and changeup both flash above-average. The results certainly warrant a call-up for Festa, who posted a 12.5 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in AA Arkansas.

With a true, 4 pitch mix some teams might be tempted to stretch him out as a starter, but that team will very likely not be Seattle. Still, it is always nice to have that option in your back pocket. As it stands now, Festa is a multi-inning, bat-missing, strike-throwing, reliever. That’s plenty good for the Mariners.

Scouting Grades- Fastball: 55 Slider: 55 Curveball: 50 Changeup: 50 Controll: 55 Overall: 55 ETA: 2018

12. Art Warren, RHP, Arkansas

The final member of the “Big 4”, Art Warren is a 25-year-old 23rd round pick from the 2015 MLB Draft. The 6’3′, 230 lb flamethrower is a potential future closer. He has a big fastball, that sits at 96 MPH, and can flirt with 100 MPH on occasion. The heater has a late life to it, making it extremely difficult to catch up to.

Warren also has an above-average slider, and a decent curveball to boot. Warren has some mechanical issues that make repeating his delivery a challenge. This leads to some command issues, handing out 14 walks in 16 innings.

Warren finds himself on the DL, but if he can straighten out his command issues, he could be an elite, late-inning option for the Mariners late in games.

Scouting Grades- Fastball: 70 Slider: 55 Curveball: 50 Changeup: 50 Control: 40 Overall: 50 ETA: 2019

11. Cal Raleigh, C Everett

The 3rd round pick of the Mariners 2018 draft, Cal Raleigh is the highest ranked catcher in the organization. Whether or not he sticks at catcher remains to be seen. But when Seattle made the selection and gave him $200 K over slot-value to sign him, they did it because of his bat.

After bursting onto the scene as a freshman, Raleigh struggled in his sophomore year, raising questions amongst scouts. Thankfully, Raleigh absolutely smashed for Florida State in 2018 and regained his draft stock.

At FSU in 2018, Raleigh slashed .326/.447/.583 with 13 home runs and 18 doubles in 62 games. Like most players Jerry Dipoto covets, Raleigh has a knack for taking walks and putting the ball in play. In fact, in his 3 seasons at Florida State, Raleigh earned 132 walks, while striking out just 128 strikeouts.

Defensively, Raleigh will never be an elite backstop. In fact, he will have to put in work to stick behind the plate. The Mariners will absolutely give him a chance, and he does work hard at the craft.

A switch-hitting prospect with a track record like Raleigh is always nice to have. If he can become a passable catcher along the way, Raleigh could be one of the best catchers in the game. For now, he is likely destined for first base, but the Mariners will give him every opportunity to catch at the pro level.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 Power: 50 Run: 35 Arm: 45 Glove: 40 Overall: 50 ETA: 2021 Comp: Stephen Vogt

That’s all for today. Be sure to check back for the Top 10 later this week!

Next: A Young Offensive Stud the Mariners can Afford. No, Seriously.