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Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2012 (9) | 2011 (18) | 2010 (12) | 2009 (24) | 2008 (12)

2012 Affiliate Records
MLB: [75-87] AL West
AAA: [63-81] Pacific Coast League – Tacoma
AA: [79-61] Southern League – Jackson
A+: [83-57] California League – High Desert
A: [71-67] Midwest League – Clinton
A(ss):  [46-30] Northwest League — Everett

Graduated Prospects
Kyle Seager (SS); Jesus Montero (C); Alex Liddi (3B/1B/OF); Hisashi Iwakuma (RHP); Erasmo Ramirez (RHP)

The Run Down
The Mariners might be a few more years away from contending in the AL West, but you only have to look at the quality depth in the upper levels of their farm system to know that this club is trending upward.  With the exception of Victor Sanchez, every guy on this top ten could conceivably reach Safeco Field this season.  That’s an amazing concentration of talent, and while all of it isn’t necessarily elite, there’s fantasy upside across the board here.  If you were going to choose just one system to get familiar with in 2013 for fantasy purposes, I’d probably go with St. Louis, but Seattle is not far behind.  And that’s a major compliment.

Top Ten Prospects
1.  Taijuan Walker, RHP:  Walker came in at #49 in my Top 50 Fantasy Baseball Prospects for 2013, but he would’ve ranked much higher if I thought he’d reach Safeco this year.  Fact is, the M’s have no reason to rush him — he’s just 20-years-old, and his repertoire could use further refinement in the minors.  So, unless Seattle somehow finds themselves in contention out West, don’t expect to see Walker in the bigs ’til next year. ETA:  2014

2.  Danny Hultzen, LHP:  #33 on my Top Prospects for 2013 list, Hultzen was destroying Double-A hitters throughout the first half of 2012, and the fantasy buzz was that he’d skip Triple-A and jump right to the bigs mid-season.  That was not the case.  No, Hultzen stepped up to Triple-A instead, where his ERA ballooned from 1.19 to 5.92, and his WHIP went from 0.93 to 1.89.  It’s quite clear that Hultzen, the #2 overall pick in 2011, ran out of gas in his first professional season.  I wouldn’t let the poor performance down the stretch discourage you from drafting him in keepers or very deep formats, though.  I expect the 23-year-old to rediscover his groove at Triple-A and arrive in Seattle before mid-season.  ETA:  2013

3.  Mike Zunino, C:  Zunino ranked #44 in my Top 50 Fantasy Prospects post.  Here’s me quoting me:  “Zunino will likely surface in Seattle at some point in 2013, but his fantasy value, once up, is tough to gauge.  His tools profile suggests he’ll eventually develop into a very nice big league catcher, and one you’ll want in fantasy leagues.  But most people around baseball don’t see the Travis D’Arnaud/Jesus Montero/Devin Mesoraco-type ceiling with Zunino.  Then again, he’s surpassed expectations at every stop thus far, and it’s within reason to think he could continue to do so at the highest level.”  ETA:  2013

4.  James Paxton, LHP:  His 3.05 ERA and 9.3 K/9 were encouraging figures from Double-A last year, but scouts have some serious concerns about mechanics and command.  Premium stuff has allowed him to overcome such weaknesses thus far, but he’ll be exposed against big league hitters if those troubles continue.  Pitching shorter stints out of the bullpen might be his ultimate destination, but Paxton will rack up plenty of K’s in any role.  ETA:  2014

5.  Brad Miller, SS:  Questions about where he fits in defensively have damaged his prospect stock, badly — many folks around baseball don’t see him as anything more than a utility player because of limitations in the field.  Miller can hit, though.  Since debuting as a pro in 2011, the 23-year-old has hit .341/.414/.513 across Low-, High-, and Double-A.  Folks spewed the same doubts about Allen Craig a few years back, but the bat always finds a way, my friends.  Miller’s bat will play in the bigs.  ETA:  2013

6.  Nick Franklin, SS:  Not long ago, folks were projecting Franklin to post 20-20 seasons in the bigs.  When he reached Tacoma midway through last season, however, those projections began to change.  In 296 Triple-A PA, Franklin posted an ugly line:  .233/.310/.416, 7 HR, 3 SB.  The soon-to-be 22-year-old will return to Tacoma this spring to work on his approach versus lefties, among other items.  He still has his youth and he’s knocking on the door, so there is some upside, but his projection has dropped considerably for fantasy purposes over the past year.  ETA:  Late 2013

7.  Stefen Romero, 2B/OF:  Romero posted a .991 OPS in 514 PA between High- and Double-A in 2012, collecting 23 homers in the process.  He played all of his games at 2B in 2012, and if he can stick there, he could be a monster bat-first MI for fantasy purposes.  Unfortunately, Romero seems like a better fit for the outfield, where his tools at the plate are far less exciting for fantasy.  He’ll move up to Triple-A in 2013, but he could be used by the M’s in a utility role at some point this year.  ETA:  Late 2013

8.  Victor Sanchez, RHP:  Sanchez is barely 18-years-old, but he’ll move up to Low-A Clinton in 2013, where he’ll be among the youngest players in the full-season Midwest League.  There’s a long way to go with this one, but he already features a plus fastball.  If his secondary offerings progress as hoped, Sanchez will blossom into one helluva prospect.  ETA:  2016

9.  Brandon Maurer, RHP:  Maurer features a big frame, a power sinker, and two good breaking balls.  He looks like your typical back-end innings eater, and he should be ready this year.  I mentioned that Taijuan Walker probably won’t reach Seattle this season, and a big factor in that prediction is the collection of arms the Mariners possess at the upper levels of their farm system.  Hultzen, Paxton, and Maurer could all be summoned to the bigs in favor of keeping Walker’s service time at zero.  ETA:  2013

10.  Carter Capps, RHP:  Capps features a 6-5 frame and a high-90s heater, both of which contribute to a very intimidating mound presence.  He’s destined for the late innings, it seems, and he should come in handy this year.  ETA:  2013