Happy Halloween! Go figure…sometimes the universe seems to match things up perfectly. This system is an effing house of horrors. Honestly, the only thing more boring than writing up this Mariners list in late October would be writing up a top ten ranking of actual mariners. Hmmm…Captain Phillips has a lot of upside but you can’t argue with Ahab’s floor. And let’s be honest, the Gorton’s fisherman has a double-plus beard. Anythehoo, this is our first list void of any Grade A prospects. With no real standouts and a couple of extremely young players, this system is tailored more for a deep dynasty leaguer than a 2019 redrafter. To pumpkin spice latte things up and give myself and the tens of people reading this post something to argue about, I’m including my top ten Treehouse of Horror shorts. Boo!
Grade B
1. Evan White, 1B | Age: 22 | ETA: 2020
White combines average power with some wheels and stellar defense. He hit .303 with eleven homers and four steals for High-A Modesto in 2018. I like this profile over Lewis (he’s next) because White’s likely to land an everyday gig at first base and it’s not too often you see plus runners with power at that position.
Lisa’s Nightmare aka The Monkey’s Paw
2. Kyle Lewis, OF | Age: 23 | ETA: 2019
Lewis is a plus-power outfielder with some knee issues on his resume. The power should pair nicely with his average hit tool and approach, and it’s hopefully just a matter of getting away from the knee injury to start seeing some more steals. Lewis split time between High-A and Double-A in 2018, so we should see him at some point this year after some reps in Triple-A.
The Shinning
3. Julio Rodriguez, OF | Age: 17 | ETA: 2023
If you can be patient, Rodriguez might reward you with some tasty offense from a corner outfield slot. The 17-year-old hit .315 with five homers and ten steals in 59 DSL games. DSL had a totally different meaning for me about ten years ago. Sunday Mike can’t make that reference, but Wednesday Mike can!
Nightmare Cafeteria
4. Cal Raleigh, C | Age: 21 | ETA: 2021
Raleigh is a switch-hitting receiver the Mariners took in the third round of last year’s draft. He has a good approach, just enough power to be relevant, and a solid pedigree. Fantasy players are mainly interested in what he does offensively, but it’s worth noting his defensive skills are below average.
Clown Without Pity
5. Logan Gilbert, RHP | Age: 21 | ETA: 2021
Gilbert throws four average-or-better pitches. He has the strength and feel to start, but mono shelved him for 2018. I had mono once and threw a double-header at a wiffle ball tourney. Toughen up Gilbert!
The Devil and Homer Simpson
6. Noelvi Marte, SS | Age: 17 | ETA: 2023
Now that we’ve previewed four teams together, I feel like we know each other really well. What’s the one position I’m a sucker for? That’s right! Shortstop! Marte doesn’t have the speed you’d typically see at the position, but both his hit tool and power tool (h/t B&D) grade above average. At 17, there’s obviously a lot of time to cook, but I like the offensive upside if he sticks on the left side of the dirt.
Time and Punishment
Grade C
7. Josh Stowers, OF | Age: 21 | ETA: 2021
Stowers doesn’t do any one thing exceptionally well…unlike my grandfather, who played the kazoo like a Maryland farmer. He (Stowers, not my grandfather) swiped twenty bags in 200 at-bats in 2018, so if there’s some fantasy upside here, it’s in his L’eggs. Stop feeding the friggin’ elephant! There’s a sign!
Bart’s Nightmare aka It’s a Good Life
8. Braden Bishop, OF | Age: 25 | ETA: 2019
Power isn’t Bishop’s calling card, but he did manage to hit eight bombs in Double-A as a 25-year-old. I manage to get up every morning. You get to decide which of those two sentences is more meaningful. Bishop’s plus tool is his speed, putting him in the mold of a defense-first center fielder with some leadoff potential.
Homer’s Nightmare aka The Grave Digger
9. Sam Carlson, RHP | Age: 19 | ETA: 2021
Carlson has three plus pitches in his arsenal – fastball, change-up, and slider. He’s currently recovering from TJS, so it’s a project. In deeper dynasties I could see stashing Carlson to see if he pans out as a starter in pitcher-friendly Seattle.
The Genesis Tub
10. Matthew Festa, RHP | Age: 25 | ETA: 2019
I typically avoid relievers on these lists, and even starters that I think will turn into relievers. But in a thin system like this one, Festa gets a nod. He’ll likely see some late-inning work in 2019 and should at least be on radars in deeper leagues that count holds.
The Thing and I
