Every First Round pick in the History of the Seattle Mariners

Sports Contributor Archive 2019
Sports Contributor Archive 2019 / Ron Vesely/GettyImages
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Dick Balderson: Mariners GM 1986-88

Player

Year

Pick

Years w/ M's

WAR

Patrick Lennon (SS)

1986

8th

2

-0.1

Ken Griffey Jr. (OF)

1987

1st

13

70.6

Tino Martinez (1B)

1988

14th

6

7.7

Roger Salkeld (RHP)

1989

3rd

2

0.2

Scott Burrell (RHP)

1989

26th

0

0

This is by far the weirdest one. Why? Becuase Scott Burrell decided not to play for the Mariners, went back and played college ball, got picked by the Jays and played two years in the minors there, then went and played in the NBA for 8 seasons.

Man, to be that athletic.

Speaking of athletic, Balderson took Griffey. It was a no-brainer and a no-doubter pick, but the important part is that he didn't screw it up. He took the right person. He followed it up with Tino, and we got to see some great work from him before he left for the Evil Empire. Watching the Martinez's was a lot of fun, and it ended up being a darn good pick.

A. Baldy gets an A. Could I give him an A+? Possibly. He drafted two skunks and a basketball player though, so I'm going to leave it at an A.