Mariners injury results in prospect making long awaited debut

Prior to today's game, Ty France was removed from the lineup with what was initially called a foot injury. However, manager Scott Servais clarified that the injury has more to do with his heel and was caused by a hit-by-pitch incident in the first game of the Kansas City Royals series. The team has yet to make a final call on his status but is expected to add more information on Sunday.

To replace him, #8 ranked prospect Tyler Locklear will be joining the team starting with the final game of the Royals series. He has spent this season in both Double-A and Triple-A, posting a .293/.404/520 slash line over 236 combined plate appearances across both levels.

It's unfortunate timing for Ty France as he's posting a .990 OPS over the last 14 days and an .848 OPS over the last 28 days. Following a slow start to the season, he has now lifted his season OPS to .732 with 11 doubles and seven home runs, good enough for a 115 OPS+.

Nonetheless, Locklear profiles as a potent power bat which is good in any lineup. When discussing his hitting prowess, MLB.com writes:

The right-handed hitter’s carrying tool is still his tremendous raw power, though he’s not a one-trick pony. He can hit the ball out to all fields and does a nice job of managing the strike zone, limiting strikeouts and drawing walks, giving him a chance to be a solid overall hitter. He can struggle with breaking and offspeed stuff and can chase too much at times.

At age 23, this will be a good chance for him to get early major-league experience and for the short-term future, could potentially set him up to be a bench player/platoon bat at the very least, and starting corner outfielder at very best.