Mariners Prospect Spotlight: Cade Marlowe

What if I told you that Cade Marlowe was the biggest acquisition the Mariners made around the trade deadline? Sure, it would have been fun to trade for players like Mark Canha, Randal Grichuk, or C.J. Cron. But isn't it more fun to call up a prospect who makes an impact right away? I sure think so.

The Marines called up Marlowe when Jarred Kelenic went to the Injured List with a fractured foot. At the time, that seemed like it put a knife into the 2023 season. The Mariners offense was struggling, and they just lost one of their most productive bats in the lineup. Insert Cade Marlowe.

I know, Cade is just 30 at bats into his Major League career. But from what he has shown already, he is ready for the Majors. Last night, Cade hit a go-ahead grand slam off of Angels closer Carlos Estevez in the top of the 9th inning. Estevez had not blown a save all season coming into the game, which makes the grand slam that much more impressive.

Last season between AA Arkansas and AAA Tacoma, Cade seemed like a big ticket prospect. He dominated, hitting .287/.377/.864. He hit 23 home runs, had 102 RBIs an stole 42 bases. He was even added to the Mariners post season roster, though he never got any game action in 2022. He followed up 2022 by hitting .255/.332/.793 for AAA Tacoma so far this year, with 11 home runs and 25 steals.

So what kept the Mariners from calling him up so late? If you were to point to one thing, it would be his strikeout rate. In Tacoma this season, he was striking out at 29% of his at-bats. In 2022, he struck out at a 31% clip. That does not translate well well to the Majors. Also, hitting in the PCL can elevate offensive numbers.

Cade was drafted by the Mariners in the 20th round of the 2019 MLB draft out of the University of West Georgia. In the summer of 2018, he actually played for the Savannah Bananas. Yeah, those Savannah Bananas. While he is not the first Banana to make the Majors, it is still an impressive feat.

Called up to the Majors on July 20th, He is currently hitting .333/.429/.1.096. He has homered twice and has stolen two bases. While the Mariners expect Jarred Kelenic back sometime in September, if Cade keeps hitting like he is, you have to figure he still would get regular at-bats. Maybe they move Teoscar Hernandez to a full-time DH role. Either way, I am excited to see him perform so well this early in his career. As always, Go Mariners!