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Down on the Farm: Midseason Check-in

By Trevor Pedro |
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All six Mariner minor league affiliates' seasons are in full swing, with the top four levels at the midseason break. This point of the season is when we see prospect promotions. Mainly because the sample sizes are large enough to conclude a player's readiness for the next level, this week's Down on the Farm breaks down each team, focusing on who could make the jump.

Tacoma Rainiers (3rd in Pacific Coast League West)

If there is one thing we learned about the Rainiers is the offense, and the bullpen drives the team. They can impact the baseball with four players mashing double-digit home runs. Jake Scheiner, Mike Ford, Brian O'Keefe, and Taylor Trammell combined for 54 long balls. Additionally, their outfield is one of the most dynamic sets of athletes in the Mariners' farm system. Cade Marlowe, Zach Deloach, and Taylor Trammell provide a tantalizing speed, power, and contact mix.

With the big-league club struggling to find a spark, they could look to one of those prospects. My money is on Marlowe. President of Baseball Operations, Jerry Dipoto, has gone on record praising the 26-year-old outfielder for his "five-tool skill set," which seems like something the Mariners are lacking near the bottom of the order.

Arkansas Travelers (1st in Texas League North)

The Travelers rode a dominant starting staff and a balanced lineup to the first half division championship. MLB Futures game invitee Jonathan Clase is still striking out at a high rate (28.7), but he is making enough contact to flash his elite speed on the basepaths (42 steals). The combined slash line between Everett and Arkansas of .246/.365/.885 is also solid. He probably isn't ready for the bright lights of Tacoma yet, but first baseman Robbie Tenerowicz is.

Tenerowicz, affectionally nicknamed "The Birdman," is in the Texas League top five in nearly every offensive category proving he's ready for the jump to Tacoma. He had a first half for the ages authoring a .307/.431/.956 slash line while anchoring the middle of the Travs lineup. Mike Ford is no longer blocking the 28-year-old's path to Tacoma, which should make promotion easy.

Pitchers who could get the call to Seattle include ace Emerson Hancock and reliever Prelander Berroa. Both prospects have flashed of late, and with the Mariner's strategy of having pitching prospects skip Triple-A ball together, Seattle is the next stop.

Everett Aquasox (2nd in Northwest League)

The Everett Aquasox had an uneven first-half finishing in the middle of the pack in the Northwest League. Even though the record hovered around the .500 mark (34-32), this team has some exciting talent. Backstop Harry Ford is the unquestioned leader, leading the "dominate the zone" charge with a compelling 18.2% walk rate and an 18% strikeout rate fueling his high one-base approach (.409). While Ford is known for his offensive profile, he's taken giant steps forward defensively.

The former first-round pick is ready to test his mettle in Arkansas. Alberto Rodriguez is another position player who should jump to Double-A soon. With the return in the Tajuan Walker trade with the Blue Jays, Rodriguez garnered two NWL Player of the Week awards this season and continues to torment opposing pitchers spraying extra-base hits from line to line.

Pitchers who could make their way to Arkansas by the season's end include Sam Carlson, Reid VanScooter, and Brandon Schaeffer. Carlson has overcome numerous injuries and becoming a real weapon in the Frog's bullpen. While the two starters are routinely pumping out quality starts.

Modesto Nuts (3rd in California League North)

Frequently running out a top-of-the-order comprised of Cole Young, Michael Arroyo, and Gabriel Gonzales, Modesto has a talented lineup. We could see all three of those youngsters promoted depending on the movement in Everett. We've written about Arroyo and Gonzales in our Prospect Spotlight, but Young is the one to watch.

The numbers are less eye-popping than Gonzales (.350/.401/.901), and Young doesn't have the helium of Arroyo, but this guy is steady. He walks more than he strikes out (48/43), makes a lot of contact, and uses his speed once he gets on base (16 SB). The Mariners are usually aggressive with their promotions if they feel the prospect can handle it. The smooth-fielding shortstop is ready.

Most pitchers will ride the year out in the Cal League unless the organization thinks Shaddon Peavyhouse is promotion worthy. He's the readiest to make the jump, followed by Michael Morales, who has taken a huge step forward this season commanding the baseball.

Baby M's

The Arizona Complex League and Dominican Summer League action include some solid prospects (Jeter Martinez, Sebastian De Andrade, Walter Ford, Aston Izzi, and Las Montes). Each player should get an entire season in their current spots, with Montes having an outside chance of joining the recently promoted Arroyo in Modesto.

Now is the time to get out to the affiliates and catch a game or two. Some of the high-end talent should be on the move soon. It will be an interesting second half down on the Farm with plenty of storylines.

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