Down on the Farm: Mariners Minor League Check-in

Seattle Mariners Photo Day
Seattle Mariners Photo Day / Steph Chambers/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

Arkansas Travelers' pitching exceeds the preseason hype

7 – 2 (First in Texas League North)

Pitching development is the bread and butter of the Mariners’ minor league system, and it's evident in the stacked Arkansas Travs' rotation. Top pitching prospect Bryce Miller has struggled out the gate (6.30 ERA), but the rest of the starters have held their own. Emerson Hancock, Bryan Woo, and Prelander Berroa provide quality outings each time out. In addition, Hancock has flashed his elite control and is successfully utilizing a high-riding fastball (a la George Kirby). 

The Travelers are getting contributions up and down the lineup, which bodes well for the team’s continued run. Offensive standouts include hitting machine Spencer Packard (.438), speedsters Leo Rivas (.300), and Tanner Kirwer (.357), as well veteran Robbie Tenerowicz (team-leading 16 RBI). If Packard keeps hitting, he could find his way to Tacoma by midseason.