“Sodo Mojo Presents” Seattle Mariners Top 30 Prospect: #7

As we slowly reach the end of our Top 30 Mariners prospect ranks, we have reached the range where most fans will have heard of most of these names. Today, we look at an intriguing bat in our #7 spot.

As always, for a breakdown of our process in selecting the Top 30 Mariners prospects, read the primer by clicking here. If you want a breakdown of our first 22 prospects, you can go to the “minors” tab on the website, or click right here.

In addition, remember that our grades are based on the standard scouting scale. The scale ranges from 20-80, 20 being not MLB quality and 80 being a Hall of Fame tool. We also provide a probability score on a 1-5 scale, based on the likelihood they reach the 75% plateau of their upside. With all that in mind, let’s get started.

7. Shed Long, IF/OF

We all figured that the Mariners would find their way into the Sonny Gray trade talks. We just didn’t guess they would find a way to acquire another prospect instead of giving one up. The Mariners acquired Shed Long from the New York Yankees, who had just acquired Long from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Mariners gave up Josh Stowers, their second-round pick of the 2018 draft to acquire Long. Stowers was slated to be in the 11 or 12 spots in our ranks before the deal. The Mariners gave up some long-term potential for closer talent now and couldn’t have been happier to do it.

The first thing you may notice about Long is his stature. At 5’8″, Long’s profile doesn’t exactly fit his size. Drafted as a catcher back in 2013, Long’s carrying tool is his bat. He generates legitimate power in his small, compact frame, showing 20 home run pop thanks to fast hands and good bat speed.

There is a noticeable hitch in his swing, which seems to act as a timing mechanism. The hitch may need to be cleaned up and causes some concern that he won’t hit well against the best arms in the world. He also employs a leg kick to generate extra torque, which could cause problems down the line.

It’s not impossible to be a successful hitter with his current swing and mechanics, but it is something to look at as we watch him face big league pitchers.

As for the rest of his game, Long has a lot of “average” marks on his tools. He is a good but not great runner. He has a good but not great arm. His defense is the biggest question in his game. The Reds shifted him to second base, which has become his primary position. The defense is fringe-average, but the bat should play to help off-set the defense.

The Mariners plan to deploy Long as their Marwin Gonzalez, moving him all over the diamond this spring. Long has been seen getting work at shortstop and 3rd base this spring, as well as participating in outfield drills as well. He won’t be a star defender in any one spot, but the bat should play anywhere.

If everything goes right for Long, he could have a few 15/15 (HR/SB) seasons in his career, while hitting for a solid average, and playing multiple positions as well.

Scouting Grades- Hit: 50 Power: 50 Run: 55 Field: 45 Arm: 55 Probability: 3.5/5

The Mariners feel fortunate to land Long and envision him as a long-term asset and part of the future. Seattle plans to use him all over the field in the hopes they can develop him into a productive, everyday utility man.

Long will likely start the year in AAA Tacoma. While he might be the first non-reliever called up to the big leagues, the team seems content to let Long grow into his utility role in Tacoma. He may very well get the call in July or August, but Seattle will take their time with Long and let him develop/