Junius Worth
David Kerr
Charlie Nehl
gawlowskib
Andrew Martin
Jonathan C. Mitchell
johnczech
Daniel Marino
Michael Schwartze
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Spencer Schneier
William J. TaskerJack Zduriencik took over as the Mariners General Manager in late 2008 and he has done a great job turning the farm system around. He has drafted very well and has made some quality trades that have restocked the farm system that Bill Bavasi left barren. Seattle now has one of the deepest farm systems in all of baseball featuring a nice mix of talent close to the majors and raw high upside guys in the lower levels.
Below are MLB Dirt’s top 16 prospects with 2013 opening day age, position, and comments on each player. This is a collaborative effort and the final outcome does not mirror mine, Jonathan’s, Andrew’s, nor Spencer’s personal lists. Below the top 16 is a small list of additional notable names. Enjoy. -Michael Schwartze
| Player | Comments | |
| 1 | Taijuan Walker (20-RHP) | Walker is one of the true future ace potential arms out there with a plus fastball with loads of sink in the mid-90s that can touch the upper-90s and a plus curveball that will buckle the knees of the best hitters. His change-up has the look of an above-average pitch and his frame will allow him to be a 200-inning workhorse. He is a supreme athlete who is a good fielder and could win Gold Gloves in the future. He is truly one of the best pitching prospects in the game and his ceiling is that of a future Cy Young winner and MVP contender. -Jonathan C. Mitchell |
| 2 | Mike Zunino (22-C) | I was able to see Zunino a few times at short-season Everett when he made his professional debut and I was left blown away. Zunino is the complete package when it comes to a catching prospect and he has all the tools to be an all-star catcher. He has some work to do at the plate and on defense but he should hit for a solid average with good power numbers and provide above average defense behind the plate. What impressed me the most about Zunino though were his intangibles. He works as hard as anyone out there and it a natural leader. He is a great piece for this organization to have moving forward and could make his debut this year. -Michael Schwartze: Video 1. Video 2. |
| 3 | Danny Hultzen (23-LHP) | I saw Hultzen more than other pitcher last year and despite the struggles, I was not worried about his long term value. Hultzen’s command of his fastball was the big issue and he was very inconsistent. At times he flashed the stuff to be a good number two starter but then there were moments when he could not find the strike zone. I saw Hultzen towards the end of his longest season in his pitching career and you have to imagine there was some fatigue there. When his stuff is on he has an impressive low 90s fastball with lots of movement and one of the best changeups in minor league baseball. I think he needs some seasoning at AAA to start the year but should be in the Mariners rotation by June 2013. -MS: Video 1. Video 2. Video 3. |
| 4 | Nick Franklin (22-SS) | When I saw Nick Franklin make his AAA debut he really struggled at the plate, especially with making contact. Over the course of the season though, I saw him make great strides at the plate. The bat is legit and he has a surprising amount of pop in that bat. There is still a a lot of work he has to do in lowering the strikeout numbers but he showed promising improvements last year. One of the biggest question marks with Franklin is if he has the tools to stick at short. While he isn’t going to be one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, I think he has the tools to survive at short and stick there moving forward. Look for him to make his debut some point in the 2013 season. -MS: Video 1. |
| 5 | James Paxton (24-LHP) | Paxton had a very up and down year last year and his stock has taken a bit of a hit but he still has middle of the rotation potential. He brings an impressive mid 90s fastball with a potential plus curve and a promising change-up. Command and control had been a problem for Paxton throughout his pro career though and he was not able to iron those things out this season. Developing better control/command will be the key for Paxton and the difference between becoming a number 3 starter or a back of the bullpen arm. -MS |
| 6 | Brad Miller (23-SS) | I was a little skeptical when Seattle selected Miller in the second round of the 2011 draft but Miller has done nothing since hit since he made his professional debut and we’ve really seen a rise in his stock. Miller has a an impressive, polished bat with a line drive swing and good approach at the plate. Miller has the tools to stick at shortstop but reports say he can be a bit erratic suggesting he may eventually have to move over to second. -MS |
| 7 | Victor Sanchez (18-RHP) | Sanchez put together an impressive season in the Northwest League and I was able to see him pitch a couple times for Everett. Sanchez shows maturity beyond his years on the mound and he has the stuff to go with. He dials his fastball up to 94 and has an impressive changeup and quality curveball and slider to go with. He is an interesting arm to watch and could continue moving up this list by the time next season rolls around. -MS: Video 1. |
| 8 | Carter Capps (22-RHP) | Armed with a 98 mph fastball and above-average curveball that falshes plus at times, Capps could be an excellent high-leverage reliever for the Mariners starting this season. He also has an average change-up that keeps lefties from sitting on his fastball. -JCM |
| 9 | Brandon Maurer (22-RHP) | Maurer really came out of nowhere this year and he has developed into another solid arm for this stack system. He posted a 3.20 ERA at AA this year and from the scouts I have talked to, his stuff has really improved. He has a fastball siting in the low to mid 90s with an above average to plus slider and a quality curveball and a developing changeup to go with. He has the ceiling of a solid mid rotation starter and I look forward to seeing him at AAA in 2013. -MS |
| 10 | Stefen Romero (24-2B/3B) | Romero was named the Mariners 2012 MiLB Player of the Year and he had quite the year at the plate. Between High A and AA last year, Romero hit .352/.391/.599 with 23 homeruns. He has great hands at the plate and projects to have an above average hit tool and above average power. Romero is a good athlete but many think that he eventually ends up in left field long term but the bat will play wherever he ends up. What scouts seem to really rave about when it comes to Romero his is impressive makeup. Romero should start 2013 at AAA and could make his debut at some point in the 2013 season. -MS |
| 11 | Tyler Pike (19-LHP) | Pike will get comparisons to a young Barry Zito with an 88-91 mph fastball that can reach 93, an above-average curveball and change-up. He has a good feel for pitching and repeats his delivery well. He is a bit small but should have no problems sticking in a rotation due to his repertoire and pitchability. -JCM |
| 12 | Stephen Pryor (23-RHP) | Pryor is armed with a 96 mph fastball and pairs it with a 90 mph slider/cutter but lacks control and has a problem when he leaves the pitches up in the zone. He adds another power arm that is ready for the Mariners pen. -JCM: Video 1. |
| 13 | Joseph DeCarlo (19-3B) | The Mariners 2nd round pick, DeCarlo held his own at 3B and showed a strong arm and should be able to stick at the position. At the plate he shows excellent patience with power potential but strikes out a lot. -JCM |
| 14 | Jack Marder (23-C) | The Mariners selected Marder in the 16th round of the 2011 draft out of the University of Oregon and that pick is looking like a steal. He hit .360/.425/.583 in the Cal League last year and there may be some inflation there thanks to the hitter friendly environment but Marder’s bat is legit. He has a solid bat with average to above average power and has a great approach at the plate. Marder is also a good athlete and has the tools to stick behind the plate defensively long term. I think Marder could really shoot up lists if he continues to progress in 2013. -MS |
| 15 | Edwin Diaz (19-RHP) | The Marines tabbed Diaz in the third round of the 2012 draft and added a high upside, very projectable, right-handed arm. His fastball sits in the mid 90s and has been reported to touch the upper 90s at times. He flashes a promising curve and change-up at time but both are very inconsistent. Diaz has a lot potential but his game is raw and he will be a project and take time to develop. -MS |
| 16 | Leon Landry (23-OF) | Landry has loads of speed and athleticism and should have no problem staying in CF but there are some concerns about his patience and approach at the plate. He could be a solid 4th outfielder with a legitimate shot at a regular in CF if he improves his approach or changes his swing to add some power. -JCM |
A few more: Gabriel Guerrero (OF), Chris Taylor (SS): Video, Guillermo Pimentel (OF)
Be sure to follow @Mike_Schwartze, @FigureFilbert, @HistorianAndrew and @BaseballSpencer on Twitter, all of whom collaborated to put together these rankings.
Filed under: On the Farm - Prospects Tagged: | 2013 Top Prospects, Bill Bavasi, Brad Miller, Brandon Maurer, Carter Capps, Chris Taylor, Danny Hultzen, Edwin Diaz, Gabriel Guerrero, Guillermo Pimentel, Jack Marder, Jack Zduriencik, James Paxton, Joseph DeCarlo, Leon Landry, Mike Zunino, Nick Franklin, Prospects, Seattle Mariners, Stefen Romero, Stephen Pryor, Taijuan Walker, Tyler Pike, Victor Sanchez
I would like to follow chris taylor, how can i do that. He stayed with me and my wife for summer ball in NC (CPL).