Heraldnet.com
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009 7:53 pm
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
RECENT POSTS:
No announcement this weekend, but AP says Figgins deal is done  December 4

Figgins all but signed? Not today  December 4

Catcher Zaun to Brewers; Figgins-M's reports heating up  December 4

Catcher Zaun will sign today, presumably not with Mariners  December 4

Rumor of the moment: 3B Figgins to Mariners  December 3

Archives:
RELATED ARTICLES:
Baseball official: Red Sox, Scutaro agree to deal  December 4
Mariners will be busy at winter meetings  December 4
A’s acquire infielders Fox, Miles from Cubs  December 3
Polanco, Phillies agree to $18 million, three-year contract  December 3
Players want best-of-seven in first round of baseball playoffs  December 2
Wagner get $7 million, 1-year deal with Braves  December 2
Damon, Tejada, Wolf not offered arbitration  December 2
Mariners offer Beltre salary abitration  December 2
Yanks decline arbitration to Matsui and Damon; Tigers say no to Washburn  December 1
Indians trade Shoppach to Rays  December 1
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Mariners Blog


 
ADVERTISEMENT

 

Saunders showing some power in Venezuela


Posted at 2:56 pm by By Kirby Arnold

If Michael Saunders hopes to compete for an outfield job with the Mariners next year, he'll need to show the team what he didn't this year -- power. Saunders, who hit 13 home runs and had a .544 slugging percentage at Class AAA Tacoma, batted .221 with one double, three triples and no home runs in 122 at-bats with the Mariners.

Before they sent him down to Venezuela for a winter ball season with the Lara team, the Mariners had Saunders stop this month at their facility in Peoria, Ariz., for some individual work with hitting coach Alan Cockrell and minor league hitting instructors Alonzo Powell and Jose Castro.

So far, his numbers have been good in Venezuela. He's batting .321 with one home run and two triples in 28 at-bats, apparently driving the ball much better than what he showed with the Mariners.

“He’ swinging the bat really well and he’s comfortable,” minor league director Pedro Grifol said. “He’s having a good time and at the same time working on the same things that Alan Cockrell and he worked on prior to going there.”

Saunders did show that he has the athleticisim to handle the defensive challenge of left field with the Mariners, and his speed on the bases fits well with the type offense the team wants. But it will take power, an element the Mariners sorely need, to win that job on next year's team.
READER COMMENTS
Click here to see all Mariners Blog comments
Log in or register to post new commentLog out
Saunders - Power, not bunts please!
The title of the posting is, "some power." Well, some power is better than none, true, but really, come-on, this team needs more than "some." He is an exceptional fielder, so I truly hope there is solid power there. Is 25HR a season and the great fielding too much to aspire to?
Kristian Blanchard | Oct 31, 2009 7:17 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal
Good to see Saunders doing what is needed...
... to succeed at the MLB level. I really have a lot of hopes for the kid. A lot will depend on his mental and emotional maturity though, and that is something that isn't coachable.

Lonnie
www.marinercentral.com

Lonnie Mathis | Oct 27, 2009 7:46 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal
  Return to Mariners Blog

Over 1 Million Lights
Lights of Christmas

$2 OFF
at Box Office

Holiday Specials
up to 25% off!

$95 Dryer Vent Cleaning!
$99 Whole House Duct Cleaning Special!

$2.99 Chili Dog
$3.99 Fish Burger

Oil - Snohomish County
Low Prices - Fill Now!

Nutcracker
Family Packs Available

Always Free
Transmission Diagnostic

$5 Off
Stylecut

75% OFF
Many Items. Hurry!

Special Rebate Offers!
Plus Get Additional 30% OFF!

Buy 1 Dinner Entree
Get 2nd 50% Off

15% Off
All Repairs!

FREE 6 lb. Pad w/
30yd Carpet Purchase

We've Got You Covered for hte Holidays!
20% OFF Re-Upholstery or Custom Furniture!

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
Lube Oil Filter

20% Off Dinner
Up to $75 Value!

Holiday Getaway
$99 dbl Occupancy

25% off Bath & Groom
New Customers

Lube, Oil & Filter
Buy 1 - Get 1 FREE
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes

ADVERTISEMENT