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Mariners Prospect: Promotions looming amidst blossoming farm system
Plenty of Mariners' prospects are making a case to rise the organizational ladder, the Nuts are well, nuts, and who is the next pitching star in the system.
We are at a point in the minor league season where many front offices are starting to plot their prospect promotions. Why? Because sample sizes are large enough to determine a player's readiness for the next level. In this month's edition of 'Down on the Farm,' we cover a historic month for an athletic backstop, a 2023 draftee reigning in his command, and highlight a few prospects who could be on the move.
Tacoma Rainiers (29-24, 2nd place PCL West)
Despite the absence of their speedsters Leo Rivas and Jonathan Clase for most of the month, the Tacoma Rainiers, the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, continued to excel. Their ability to accumulate steals, even without these key players, is a testament to their unique combination of speed (with four players in the PCL Top 10) and veteran leadership. This adaptability has proven invaluable for a team with middling starting pitching.
Starters Jonathan Diaz, Emerson Hancock, and Dallas Kuechel are instrumental in keeping the Rainiers in games, while the veteran trio of Brian Anderson, Jason Vosler, and Michael Chavis are consistently putting runs on the board. Vosler, in particular, is making a strong case as the next callup. His recent performance speaks volumes over his last seven games; Vosler is slashing .308/.400/1.092 with three home runs.
2 hits for Tyler Locklear in his Triple-A debut. pic.twitter.com/mGWqFv0ifj
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) May 29, 2024
Regarding call-ups, the Mariners' 8th-rated prospect, Tyler Locklear, has climbed the ladder and made his Rainier debut this week, notching two hits. With his promising performance, the athletic first baseman is a beacon of hope for the team's future and should get plenty of run this summer, exciting the fans and front-office personnel alike.
With Mariners' manager Scott Servais taxing the bullpen for 20 days, the team faces some challenges. Look for possible reliever moves, with the newly acquired Eduardo Salazar as a possible choice due to his remaining minor league options.
Arkansas Travelers (27-20, 1st place TL North)
Even with Tyler Locklear's promotion, the Arkansas Travs offense still scores enough runs to support a stellar pitching staff. Logan Evans is mowing down Texas League batters (.188 BAA), sitting in the Top 10 in innings, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP. Evans, a 12th-round pick, has taken to the Mariners' pitching philosophy and continues to rise prospect boards, joining Baseball America's Top 100 last week.
Have a day Logan Evans!
— Mariners Player Development (@MsPlayerDev) May 31, 2024
6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K pic.twitter.com/fFm6Ngl4zc
The top of the lineup, including Harry Ford, Cole Young, Spencer Packard, and Ben Williamson, is chipping in nightly. Ford, the Mariners' 2nd-rated prospect, had a heck of a month slashing .298/.416/.892 in 22 games. The backstop turned around his season after hitting under the Mendoza line for the first month. Packard and his elite hit tool have conquered the Texas League and are ready for a promotion, which could be an exciting storyline to follow with the big league club.
Keep an eye on closer Troy Taylor, who has acclimated well to his recent promotion, going a perfect 3 for 3 in save opportunities. With how the Mariners like to promote pitching prospects directly from Double-A, Taylor could considerably contribute to the Mariners' pen down the stretch.
Everett Aquasox (21-27, 6th place NWL)
Last season, Frogs' fans were treated to a stacked roster that included Clase, Ford, Locklear, Reid VanScoter, and Young. Everett feels the pain with all those players promoted and a significant talent gap between the lower-level Modesto Nuts and the big-league club. There are some bright spots, though. Brock Rodden is in the NWL top 10 in almost every offensive category.
Brock Rodden ropes a 1-out triple. pic.twitter.com/s3ct6Wjj5p
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) May 30, 2024
Outfielder RJ Schreck is contributing in the box thanks to a tremendous strike zone awareness (30 BB/20 K). Jared Sundstrom is providing a power threat in the middle of the order this team lacked for the first month-plus of the season.
The pitching trio of Brendyn Garcia, Michael Morales, and Ryan Hawks are fronting the staff and eating innings. Sign a spotlight on Morales, who is finally reigning in his command and transitioning from a pitch-to-contact hurler to a stuff guy (48 IP/47 SO).
Modesto Nuts (32-14, 1st place Cal League North)
The Nuts were the first minor league team to have 30 wins and a +131 run differential. This dynamic team is a force in all its facets. Lazaro Montes is displaying more contact and less swing-and-miss, and it's paying off: He is leading the Cal League in RBIs with 56.
Lazaro Montes 2-run single for his 3rd hit. 5 RBI for Montes. pic.twitter.com/LC1LfrRmJT
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) May 31, 2024
2023 draftees Aidan Smith, Jonny Farmelo, and Tai Peete are all clicking simultaneously. Peete is displaying his five-tool skill set, raising his average to .282 over the past month and swiping 13 bases. Keep an eye on Farmelo and Smith, as the Mariners could get aggressive and promote them to Everett for the stretch run.
Masterful pitching performance from Will Schomberg.
— Mariners Player Development (@MsPlayerDev) May 3, 2024
6 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K pic.twitter.com/AAIIrSjWkD
Like the offense, there are plenty of pitching stars this month. Brody Hopkins is flashing his plus-plus fastball and slider, holding the opposition to a .188 average. 23-year-old Will Schomberg is a little older for the league and is destined for Everett shortly. However, the late life on his heater, deception, and command could make him the next pitching gem down on the farm.
Arizona Complex League Mariners (10-9, 3rd place ACL West)
Felnin Celesten is one of many intriguing prospects toiling in the ACL. The Mariners' 5th-rated prospect is slashing .324/.427/.942 in his first 18 professional games and even recently carried a 12-game hit streak.
Felnin Celesten launched his first two professional home runs last night down in Arizona! #TridentsUp 🔱
— Mariners Player Development (@MsPlayerDev) May 14, 2024
(via @IsItTheWelsh) pic.twitter.com/OOKJI0KJch
Australian first baseman Jarrod Belbin is in the top 10 in hits, RBI, average, OBP, and SLG. The only caveat is Belbin's age, 23, which will likely help him cover multiple farm levels this season. The entire lineup performs, leading the ACL on average (.283).
The pitching staff is hit or miss, with Jeter Martinez and Walter Ford being bright spots on the bump. Both young starters will likely spend the entire season in the ACL, acclimating to full-season baseball.
The Dominican Summer League action kicks off next week, with backstop Gabriel Guanchez leading the long list of talented prospects.
It's exciting times down on the farm, and now is the time to stop by your local minor league affiliate because some of your favorite prospects might be on the move soon.