Getting To Know Mariners Third Base Coach Chris Prieto

Chris Prieto the Mariners third base coach has worn several hats as a member of the team’s staff. This is his first year at third base replacing former third base coach Scott Brosius.

Last season Chris Prieto was the Mariners first base coach. However, with the hiring of Perry Hill who became the Mariners first base coach, they decided to move Chris over to third base.

Now being the Mariners third base coach his approach is for the players to be aggressive on the base paths. You will see the guys often going from first to third along with scoring from third to home. A lot of this will depend on where the ball is hit along with the arm of the outfielder and how many outs plus the score in the game. He wants to see a lively game being played.

Chris Prieto is the Mariners outfield coach as well. So you will see him often talking with the outfielders well as working with them to improve their defense.

Something you probably don’t know about Chris is that he has a twin brother Rick. They played together for several years in the San Diego Padres system. Chris ended up playing 13 years in the minor leagues after being drafted by the Padres in the 24th round in 1993.

Chris Prieto did finally made it to the major leagues playing two games for the Los Angeles Angels. He made his debut on May 14, 2005. He made three appearances at the plate without a hit but did start in center field in one of the games.

Prieto’s best season in the minor leagues was 2001 when he played for Las Vegas in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He hit 19 home runs that season along with driving in 58 runs with a .291 batting average.

Chris Prieto joined the Mariner organization in 2013 where he managed the Pulaski team in the class-A Appalachian League. Pulaski ended up winning the League title with a record of 41-27. The following three years 2014-16 he was the Mariners quality assurance coach then in 2017 he became the special projects coach.

I am sure the Mariners are hoping that Prieto will stick around for several years as a member of the coaching staff. Thank you, Chris, for what you have done in the Mariner organization. Go M’s.