How difficult is it to make the major leagues?
The Seattle Mariners began their affiliation with Everett of the Northwest League 18 years ago, becoming the AquaSox in 1995. The Northwest League is a short-season single-A league, meaning there are four minor-league levels between Everett and the majors (low-A, high-A, double-A, triple-A). Most of the players who appear for the Sox are just at the beginning of their professional careers.
But most of them are also nearing the end of their professional careers. An average of 40 players came through Everett each season since the Sox began play. Of the estimated 720 who have donned the AquaSox uniform (not counting those on rehabilitation assignments), a grand total of 18 were on major-league rosters to begin the season. That’s fewer than one major-league roster.
Those who made the cut at the beginning of this season:
Former Everett AquaSox currently in the major leagues (List does not include rehab assignments)
Name Pos With Sox MLB now
Felix Hernandez P 2003 Seattle Mariners
Michael Saunders OF 2005 Seattle Mariners
Stephen Pryor P 2010 Seattle Mariners
Tom Wilhelmsen P 2010 Seattle Mariners
Willie Bloomquist IF 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks
J.J. Putz P 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks
Adam Jones OF 2003 Baltimore Orioles
Chris Tillman P 2006 Baltimore Orioles
Matt Tuiasosopo 3B 2004 Detroit Tigers
Doug Fister P 2006 Detroit Tigers
Matt Thornton P 1998 Chicago White Sox
Rafael Soriano P 1999 Washington Nationals
Greg Dobbs 1B 2001 Miami Marlins
Eric O’Flaherty P 2003 Atlanta Braves*
Asdrubal Cabrera SS 2004 Cleveland Indians
Mark Lowe P 2004 Los Angeles Angels
Luis Valbuena 2B 2005 Chicago Cubs
Shawn Kelley P 2007 N.Y. Yankees
*Correction, April 12, 2013: Eric O’Flaherty’s first name was misspelled in the orginal article.
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