Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2013 (2) | 2012 (9) | 2011 (18) | 2010 (12) | 2009 (24)
2013 Affiliate Records
MLB: [71-91] AL West
AAA: [76-68] Pacific Coast League – Tacoma
AA: [62-73] Southern League – Jackson
A+: [64-76] California League – High Desert
A: [67-72] Midwest League – Clinton
A(ss): [44-32] Northwest League — Everett
Graduated Prospects
Nick Franklin (2B); Brad Miller (SS/2B); Mike Zunino (C); Danny Farquhar (RHP)
The Run Down
When considering the Mariners farm for fantasy purposes, it’s impossible to ignore the Safeco effect. Every pitcher on this list should carry inflated fantasy value thanks to the ballpark at which they’ll be spending most of their time. On the flip side of that statement, however, the M’s offensive prospects aren’t necessarily as exciting as they could be. We apply the same principle when evaluating the Padres or Giants farm systems — never shy away from a pitching prospect pushing through the Seattle org.
Top Ten Fantasy Prospects
1. Taijuan Walker, RHP: The M’s shut down Walker in February because of some shoulder discomfort, but he’s scheduled to return to the mound today for a bullpen session, on track to join the Seattle rotation in April. The 21-year-old brings front-of-the-rotation potential, and we’ve covered him plenty this preseason. He came in at #4 in my top 25 for 2014 post, and Grey had this to say yesterday in his starters to target post: “Velocity isn’t everything, but last year he averaged a 94.7 MPH fastball. That would’ve ranked him 5th for all of baseball behind: Matt Harvey, Strasburg, Jose Fernandez and Wily Peralta. If he can hold his 2.40 BB/9 from last year, he’ll be a top 25 starter this year…easily!” ETA: 2014
2. D.J. Peterson, 1B/3B: Peterson was drafted 12th overall last June and spent time in both Everett and Clinton during his first pro season, posting a cumulative line at .303/.365/.553 with 13 HR in 55 games. The 22-year-old possesses a high-end hit tool and potentially significant pop. He should be ready for upper levels baseball this summer. I have further notes on Peterson in a pre-draft feature (here), if you’re interested. ETA: 2015
3. James Paxton, LHP: Paxton came in at #32 in my top 50 for 2014 post. Here’s what I had to say: “Paxton will compete for a starting gig in Seattle during spring training. He has some command issues to sort out, but if he can learn to harness his stuff, he’ll be a useful fantasy starter with good whiff totals. The Safeco effect doesn’t hurt either.” ETA: 2014
4. Luiz Gohara, LHP: With great size and raw stuff, Gohara brings an enormous ceiling, and he’s an exciting arm for fantasy purposes. Extreme patience is required if you’re adding him in dynasty formats, though — Gohara won’t turn 18 until late July. It’ll be interesting to see if the M’s push the young pitcher’s development with a full-season assignment this spring. ETA: 2017
5. Edwin Diaz, RHP: Diaz is another teenage arm with big raw stuff who’s yet to be tested at the full-season level. The 19-year-old is a little wiry, and he doesn’t have the same projectable frame as Gohara, but he still figures to stick as a starter, and there’s front-end upside if everything clicks. He’ll play full-season ball in 2014. ETA: 2017
6. Victor Sanchez, RHP: Sanchez posted a 2013 line at 2.78/1.09/79 through 113 IP with Low-A Clinton. The 19-year-old resembles recent Mariners farm system graduate, Erasmo Ramirez, in that the physical profile isn’t great, but the stuff and command is too good to ignore. He doesn’t have the upside of Gohara or Diaz, but he’s far more advanced, and that makes him a safer bet to develop into a big league starter. ETA: 2016
7. Tyler O’Neill, OF: A third round pick last June, O’Neill is tooled-up offensively, with potential to help all around in the fantasy game. He’s also Canadian, so you can expect Nick Capozzi to draft him in the first round of his dynasty league. O’Neill, age 18, should get his first taste of full-season baseball in 2014, and he’s the type of talent that could headline this list next year. ETA: 2017
8. Austin Wilson, OF: A second round pick last June, Wilson offers outstanding athleticism, but his skill set, for the time being, is extremely raw — much more underdeveloped than what you’d expect from a college product. Seattle will likely give the 22-year-old a full-season assignment in Clinton this spring, and I anticipate him spending the entire year there. Long-term, Wilson has high-impact potential in the power department. ETA: 2016
9. Gabriel Guerrero, OF: Guerrero went through some ups and downs in his first year of full-season ball, wrapping up the season with a line at .271/.303/.358 with 30 XBH (4 HR) and 12 SB through 499 PA. Evaluators tout Guerrero for his power potential — a tool that’s yet to translate into game power. Look for the 20-year-old’s HR production to begin ticking upward in the hitter-friendly California League this season. ETA: 2016
10. Danny Hultzen, LHP: Labrum surgery is a downright frightening item to have on a pitching prospect’s resume. Hultzen showed great promise as a minor leaguer and was on the brink of breaking through in the bigs before the injury. I’d love to continue to project him as a front-end starter, but frankly, it’s going be extremely tough for him to climb his way back to that status. Hultzen, age 24, likely won’t pitch again until 2015. ETA: 2016
2013 Seattle Mariners MiLB Preview
