ESPN's comp for potential Mariners draft pick stirs up bad memories of 2007

As we edge closer towards next month's MLB Draft on July 11-12 in Philadelphia, there have been some intriguing mock picks predicted for the Mariners with the 24th overall selection. However, arguably hitting the most is ESPN's choice of Bo Lowrance, a third baseman from Christ Church Episcopal high school. And it's all because of Kiley McDaniel referencing one Freddie Freeman.

McDaniel explains that Lowrance has an essence of Freemen about him, and he's not the only evaluator to come to this conclusion about the lanky, 6-foot-5 prep prospect. And even though it might take longer for the left-handed bat to move through the minors compared to a college player in this part of the draft, he goes on to say the Mariners need to backfill their farm system as the top prospects arrive in Seattle.

Obviously, who wouldn't want a player being described as the next Freeman? To say the 36-year-old has had a successful 17 seasons in the majors would be an understatement of significant proportions. After all, we're talking about a player with a resume which includes three World Series championships, nine All-Star selections, three Silver Slugger Awards, two All-MLB First Teams and more.

The Mariners screwed up their chance to have the original Freddie Freeman

However, the irony in the Mariners potentially drafting Freddie Freeman 2.0, is that they could have quite easily had the original version, but let the opportunity slip through their fingers. Yep, you heard that right. With apologies to M's fans with a particularly vivid imagination, let's take you on a painful trip down memory lane.

More specifically, let's take you back to the 2007 MLB draft. The Mariners are on the board with the No. 11 pick in the second round, and Freeman is still available. However, instead of taking him, they decided to select Denny Almonte, an outfielder out of Florida Christian School.

Talk about a missed opportunity, with Freeman being taken three picks late by the Braves. Almonte spent seven seasons in the Mariners' farm system, but never made it to the big leagues. And in the unfair comparison to end all unfair comparisons, Almonte's .239 batting average and .706 OPS in the minors pales dramatically to Freeman hitting .299 with a .895 OPS in the majors.

There was also a second brutal miss by the Mariners in 2007

Oh, and even as some Mariners fans feel the urge to pour themselves a straight whisky, they might want to double up. That's because with the very next pick after the Mariners took Almonte, the Marlins selected Giancarlo Stanton. Like Freeman, Stanton is still playing in the majors in his 17th season, and he's had one damn fine career himself.

Sure, Stanton might not be quite as accomplished as Freeman. However, it's hard to argue he's still been a success in his own right, with a whole host of accomplishments highlighted by winning the NL MVP Award in 2017 and being named ALCS MVP just two seasons ago.

If the Mariners do end up drafting Lowrance, it's fair to suggest they'll be happy if he has even half the career that Freeman has enjoyed. Still, it's tough to think the M's could have had the 2020 NL MVP or the 2017 NL MVP back in 2007. You know what? It's fine. Go and make that whisky a triple.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow