Mariners 2024 Day 2 Draft Recap: A handful of 100 MPH heat and a two-way project
Seattle picked up a bumper crop of pitching talent along with a catcher and a two-way player to complete their day 2 draft selections
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The second day of the draft is in the books for the Mariners. They kicked off their picks by selecting an ambidextrous pitcher, Jurrangelo Cijntje, in the first round with the 15th pick. Then, getting a steal by selecting Ryan Sloan in the second round, someone who was projected to be a mid-to-late first-rounder with possible signability concerns, by paying him well overslot.
Could they keep the excitement going on Day Two? Let's jump in and learn a little bit more about each of the Mariners selections from Rounds 3-10 in this year's draft.
Round 3, Pick #91 - RHP Hunter Cranton
Slot Value: $812.9K
A 6'3" reliever, Cranton was exceptional in his second season with Kansas, pitching to a 2.16 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 25 innings. He had 13.7 K/9 and picked up seven saves on the way. He's got great velocity on his fastball, getting up to 100 mph with a mid-80s slider.
Top 100 College Senior Sign MLB Draft Targets
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) July 8, 2024
1. Hunter Cranton, RHP, @KUBaseball https://t.co/MtYEBE3iXG pic.twitter.com/85KhVmUEOp
Round 4, Pick #121 - C Josh Caron
Slot Value: $594.9K
6'0" Caron was an offensive powerhouse in his junior year with Nebraska, slashing .308/.388/.579 with 15 doubles and 16 home runs over 273 plate appearances. He also managed to hit six home runs in six Big Ten Tournament games, netting him the tournament MVP award.
He's noted as having outstanding exit velocity numbers with a 114.5 mph max and a 90th percentile exit velocity of 110 mph.
We have a feeling @Mariners fans will enjoy this clip.
— Big Ten Baseball (@B1Gbaseball) July 16, 2024
Here's each of Josh Caron's @bigten tourney record 6️⃣ home runs. 💥#B1GBaseball x @HuskerBaseball pic.twitter.com/MqzP7REl1p
Round 5, Pick #154 - RHP Charlie Beilenson
Slot Value: $431.4K
Another outstanding reliever pick, the 6'0" Beilenson pitched 62.2 innings for Duke to a 2.01 ERA with an impressive 13.2 K/9 and 5.11 K/BB. A little older than most draft picks, Beilenson pitched in five college seasons and is just under 25 years old.
Like many lockdown relievers in today's game, he throws a sharp slider with a strong fastball in the low 90s.
You need to see this, @PitchingNinja.
— Duke Baseball (@DukeBASE) March 16, 2024
⚔️ @Cbeilenson18 #BlueCollar | #GoDuke pic.twitter.com/ltRNgpLHFa
Round 6, Pick #183 - TWP Grant Knipp
Slot Value: $334.2K
While listed as a two-way player, Grant Knipp is still a far cry from becoming the next Shohei Ohtani. He was primarily a catcher for Campbell University and pitched just 5.2 innings, although he posted a 1.59 ERA with six strikeouts over those innings. Across the mound, he slashed an insane .402/.547/1.029 with eight doubles and 18 home runs for a 1.576 OPS over 139 plate appearances.
Nonetheless, he's an enticing prospect with immense untapped talent. According to scouts, he's already topping out at 98 mph on his fastball and is quickly figuring out a slider.
Grant Knipp sends this 442 feet! #RDH pic.twitter.com/LjJYhF85PM
— Campbell Baseball (@GoCamelsBSB) March 10, 2024
Round 7, Pick #213 - RHP Brock Moore
Slot Value: $261.6K
With a massive 6'6" frame, Moore pitched to a lukewarm 5.81 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 31 innings with the Oregon Ducks. However, he did manage 15.1 K/9 but struggled with command, posting 5.8 BB/9 and 8.1 H/9.
He's got excellent velocity on his fastball and throws a changeup in the mid-80s. His talent ceiling is immensely high and with the right development, he could be a potent force in the big leagues.
T4 | Eight straight K's for Brock Moore as he strikes out the side again. #GoDucks
— Oregon Duck Baseball (@OregonBaseball) May 1, 2024
Oregon State 5
Oregon 5 pic.twitter.com/cgaK8M4ZeK
Round 8, Pick #243 - RHP Will Riley
Slot Value: $212.9K
Although he started off his college career as a 6'0" corner infielder, he quickly dialed in his focus on pitching and was most recently a starter for Virginia Military Institute. 2024 was his first full season in the rotation and the results were mixed, posting a 6.78 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 78.1 innings pitched. Despite reaching 9.7 K/9, his 11.0 H/9 made it impossible to keep his numbers where he likely wanted them to be.
He's described as having three above-average pitches with a fastball velocity up to 97 mph but is overall still a diamond in the rough, at best.
End 4| Will Riley with a big strikeout!
— VMI Baseball (@VMIbaseco) March 23, 2024
VMI: 1
Samford: 3#BaseCo pic.twitter.com/EjbCIVk2y0
Round 9, Pick #273 - RHP Aiden Butler
Slot Value: $191.6K
Another pitcher of massive proportions, Butler is a 6'6" starting pitcher who just wrapped up his second season at Polk State College. He threw 64.2 innings to the tune of a 3.34 ERA with 70 strikeouts and just 11 walks.
The Seattle Mariners are selecting RHP Aiden Butler out of Polk State College in the 9th. 6-6, 200 lb. Interesting prospect with size and projection, long levers, easy motion. Mostly low-90s with a slurvy breaking ball with late shape. Changeup took a jump in 2024.
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) July 15, 2024
Round 10, Pick #303 - OF Anthony Donofrio
Slot Value: $181.1K
One of the older picks on the board, Donofrio is a 24-year-old, 6'3" outfielder who is coming off a great season with the University of North Carolina. He slashed .326/.435/.547 with 19 doubles, six triples, and seven home runs in 285 plate appearances.
Noted by scouts as having a sweet lefty swing, he's described as having an excellent power-speed combination.
Donofrio gets things started with a leadoff home run! pic.twitter.com/MPj1jNAsw3
— Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) May 23, 2024
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