10 Rule 5 Draft players that could help the Seattle Mariners in 2021

No. 5: Trevor Stephan from the New York Yankees, 24th prospect

Trevor Stephan is the 24th prospect in the always impressive Yankees farm system and was a former third-round pick in 2017. Stephan reached Double-A in 2019, so he should be ready to pitch at the big league level, especially based on his solid numbers in the minor leagues. Stephan has mostly worked as a starting pitcher, but I think his stuff could work well out of the bullpen as well.

Stephan has a mid to high 90s fastball with a deceptive crossfire delivery. This already makes Stephan sound like a future relief pitcher. He has run on his fastball, a decent slider with a high spin rate, and a curveball that is a work in progress. The 6’5″ right-handed pitcher struggled in 2019, but that was nearly two seasons ago if you count 2020.

Trevor Stephan has the stuff and body to be a good pitcher, and I think he will be even more effective out of the pen. He can touch 98 mph, and if he pitches out of the bullpen he can stay in the upper 90s more consistently. According to MLB.com, people were worried about his control but his career WHIP is 1.18. He can strike batters out at a great rate which is another reason to like him being in the bullpen.

No. 6: Oliver Ortega from the Los Angeles Angels, 17th prospect

Out of all of the prospects mentioned thus far, Oliver Ortega is the highest-ranked prospect among MLB teams. Ortega is the 17th prospect in the Angels farm system and he is another pitcher that has been mostly starting games. Although that is not the most ideal type of player like Parker Dunshee, MLB.com may think that Ortega could be a long-term reliever if his control does not get better.

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Oliver Ortega also has great stuff and touches 99mph with his fastball. In his relief stints early in his career, he can regularly be in the high 90s. His curveball has been good and has a below-average changeup in the mix. The 24-year-old reached Double-A in 2019 and reminds me a little of the Astros’ relief pitcher Enoli Paredes.

Ortega owns a minor league career 3.83 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and struck out 285 batters over 265.1 innings. For being such a young hard-throwing pitcher, his control is still pretty good and his strikeout numbers are up. Ortega just sounds like a future star relief pitcher if his changeup can get better from where it is now. The benefit of both Stephan and Ortega is that they have been starting pitchers, so if the Seattle Mariners picked them, they could be ready for both situations.