Down on the Farm: Mariners Minor League Check-in

Fans are filling Minor League Baseball (MiLB) ballpark seats again, which means Mariner prospects are making noise. We've had a few exciting weeks down on the Farm. So let's kick things off in Tacoma, where some prospects are off to hot starts and subsequently gaining helium on the organizational big board. 

Tacoma Rainiers Middle of the Order Shines

7 – 7 (Sixth in PCL) 

Brian O’Keefe, Mike Ford, and Zach Deloach continue to pace the Rainiers’ offense combining for 21 extra-base hits. We are only fourteen games into the minor league season, but the best development is how the Mariners' number 26 prospect, Deloach, is flashing in the box (.353/.450/.940) and the field. 

Unfortunately, 2022 Mariner Minor League pitcher of the year Taylor Dollard has mixed results through his first two AAA starts throwing eight innings of three-run ball. Scouts believe Dollard was the most MLB-ready of the Mariners' pitching prospects. However, if we base that assumption on early season results, that might not be the case anymore. 

The excellent news is Tacoma has thrown a couple of bullpen games with Riley O'Brien and Taylor Saucedo shoving (4 IP, 0 ER, 7 K). In addition, the team lost veteran southpaw Tommy Milone (DFA) this week, which is a big hit to a staff that includes Easton McGee and J.B. Bakauskas.  

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. 

Everett Aquasox off to a slow start

3 – 5 (Fifth in Northwest League)

The Aquasox came into the season with a heralded roster, including many of the standouts who performed well in Modesto last year. One of those prospects is catcher Harry Ford. The Mariners' top prospect has had an eventful year getting meaningful reps in spring training and shining for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic, but he is struggling in Everett to the tune of a .172/.415/.656 slash line. Fans of the ultra-athletic prospect shouldn't be worried because he is still walking more than he is striking out, which means he is hitting the ball at people. The hits will come. Meanwhile, the 60-grade arm is alive and well. 

Most of the lineup is struggling, but Jonatan Clase is showcasing his speed already (5 SB) and leads the team in both average (.294) and on-base percentage (.429). 

The Frogs’ pitchers are keeping them in ball games, led by starter Reid VanScoter. He has one of the three Aquasox wins, throwing ten innings of two-run ball and striking out nine. The fastball plays and has some late life, making dicing up Northwest League batters easy in this young season. Juan Mercedes also shined, racking up 16 strikeouts in ten innings. 

It's exciting times Down on the Farm with plenty of early season surprises, and some interesting storylines. As always, the weather is warming up; get out to the ballpark if possible because many of the Mariners' top prospects are on the fast track.