Mariners Minor League Start Dates and opponents to watch

Look, I could go on and on about the MLB, its owners, and Manfred. I’m on the Player’s side, and I’ll leave it at that. As Dave Jacoby has told Jalen Rose 100 times, “Don’t Get Fired”. So I’m just going to focus on the important dates to know for Mariners fans as the Minor League season gets ready to start.

Tacoma Rainiers – April 5th @ Home vs. Salt Lake Bees

Arkansas Travellers – April 8th @ Frisco Roughriders

Everett Aquasox – April 8th @ Home vs. Eugene Emeralds

Modesto Nuts – April 8th @ Home vs San Jose Giants

Those are the four Mariners Minor League teams, as well as their start dates. We all know that the Mariners have a loaded farm system, and it’s arguably the best in all of baseball.

The Mariners have a loaded farm system. What about their first set of Minor League opponents?

What about the teams that they are playing? Who do they have? Is it worth going and watching them?

Tacoma vs Salt Lake (Angels) – Michael Stefanic (2B)

Arkansas @ Frisco (Rangers) – Josh Smith (SS), Justin Foscue (2B)

Everett vs Eugene (Giants) – Marco Luciano (SS), Jairo Pomares (OF)

Modesto vs San Jose (Giants) – Luis Matos (OF), Kyle Harrison (LHP), Hunter Bishop (OF), Patrick Bailey (C), Aeverson Arteaga (SS)

The Giants have a strong farm system as well, as it’s highlighted by the players that are in low A as well as A ball. Hunter Bishop is the little brother of former Mariners outfielder Braden Bishop and sits inside the Giants top-ten prospects. Bailey and Matos are the ones to watch for. Both are in the top 100 prospects, and Matos is one of the top outfield prospects in the game, coming in at 35 over at Fangraphs. There will be a lot of guys to watch for those able to make it to Modesto.

Pomares is also in the top ten, but the real focus will be on Marco Luciano, one of the top shortstop prospects in all of baseball. He was 5th at the end of 2021 on the MLB list, but I’m not gonna link to anything that might support the owners. He will be in Everett on the 8th, and it looks like we could have a Noelvi Marte/Luciano showdown to open the season, which will be an incredible experience.

It’s a little less exciting for the AA and AAA game, at least from opponents to watch point of view. The Angels don’t have many top prospects, and the Rangers either have injuries (Jung had surgery) or at a different locale. Although, If Leiter is there, it would be amazing to watch him pitch. The one guy to watch for Frisco is Josh Smith, who is a top 100 guy, and will push Solak soon for playing time.

If you’re in Tacoma, just enjoy the experience. None of the Angels top 10 prospects look to be in AAA. So, have fun at the game, and let us know if anyone pops out as a surprise.

Oh, and Preller is a jerk for not allowing any more video of the Padres vs. Mariners. At least we got to see Marte absolutely rip a shot.

Hopefully, he will be able to sneak some more of those over the next month, and we can see more highlights of the Mariners exciting young prospects. Also, for anyone who is going to be at the Everett game on the 8th, I’ll see you there! Go Mariners (minor leaguers)!