Minor League Monday: Seattle Mariners

Every Monday I will be previewing some of the top Minor League systems until the Minor League season begins, which is the week of May 4th. Triple-A teams begin the week of April 6th.

Personally, this is my favorite farm system in the minors because of the top hitting and pitching balance. The Mariners have a very bright future.

Jarred Kelenic- OF:

Kelenic hit .291 in 2019, with 23 HR and 68 RBI across three minor league levels and was named the Mariners Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America. Kelenic has the upside to hit for both contact and power. He will most likely begin the season in either Double or Triple-A

Julio Rodriguez-OF:

Rodriguez hit .326 in 2019, with 12 HR and 69 RBI across two minor league levels. I like Rodriguez a bit more than Kelenic because there is more power upside. He broke his wrist last season and is poised to get back on track this yea. Rodriguez will begin the year in Double or Triple-A.

Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez form an incredible outfield duo who project to be a force in the Mariners lineup for years to come.

Noelvi Marte-SS:

Marte is a shortstop who can hit for both contact and power at a high rate. Marte performed very well in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) in 2019, hitting .309 with 9 HR, 54 RBI, and 17 SB across 65 games. Now coming to the states this minor league season, I expect Marte to climb the prospect rankings at a quick rate. We could be looking at a top10 five-tool shortstop in the future.

The Mariners have three pitchers on the MLB top 100 prospects list: Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Emerson Hancock.

Logan Gilbert-SP:

Gilbert was drafted in 2018 out of Stetson University. The same college who produced Cy Young winners Jacob deGrom and Corey Kluber, Gilbert projects to be at the top of the Seattle rotation for years to come. Gilbert showed he was one of the best pitchers in the minors in 2019, posting a 2.13 ERA across three minor league levels. He also collected 165 strikeouts and recorded a WHIP of 0.95, while going 10-5 in 135 IP. He has great size at 6'5, 225 lbs. I expect Gilbert to be one of the best pitchers in the game in the near future.

Emerson Hancock-SP:

Hancock was the Mariners first round pick in 2020. Hancock, the former Georgia product, shows ace like potential. He can touch 99 MPH with his fastball and has an above average slider and changeup. Hancock will not likely reach the Majors this season, but projects to make strides in the minor leagues.

George Kirby- SP:

Kirby is the last pitcher in the Mariners top trio of young arms. Kirby shows great control of his pitches and projects to be a mid-rotation starter. He posted a 2.35 ERA in 2019 with 25 strikeouts in 23 IP.

Other Notable Prospects:

Taylor Trammell-OF

Zach DeLoach-OF

Final Thoughts: One of the most exciting farm clubs in the league, the Mariners, will be a fun team to watch as these players make their debuts over the next few years.

See you at the ballpark!!!

Adam