AquaSox update: M’s minor-league pitching coach visits

  • By Nick Patterson Herald Writer
  • Monday, July 2, 2012 8:46pm
  • Sports

Today’s Game

Opponent: Eugene Emeralds

When: 7:05 p.m.

Where: Everett Memorial Stadium

Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)

Probable starters: Everett right-hander Dylan Unsworth (2-0, 3.57 ERA) vs. Eugene right-hander Will Scott (1-1, 5.14)

Waits checks in

Rick Waits is relishing the opportunity to get his first look at some new arms.

The Seattle Mariners’ minor-league pitching coordinator is in town for Everett’s series against Eugene, and his priority is getting a first-hand look at Everett pitchers who were selected in the recent amateur draft.

“I’ve seen film on all these guys, but I’m really in here just observing these guys,” Waits said. “I got to see my first (new) pitcher (Sunday) night, (reliever Mark) Bordonaro. He’s got a nice arm, a nice slider. We’ve got a good draft this year. This is the first team I’ve gone to and I’m always anxious to see the new pitchers.”

The pitcher Waits saw first, however, was one he was already familiar with. Victor Sanchez is the premier name on Everett’s staff this season, and Waits liked what he saw Sunday from the 17-year-old Venezuelan.

“What a tremendous pitcher,” Waits said. “He’s young, still 17, and he’s powerful. He’s got a chance to really do something with his career.

“What I really liked (Sunday) was a young guy who wasn’t afraid of contact,” Waits said. “He went right at hitters and used all his pitches. So often young guys try to be too perfect or try to make perfect pitches when they’re not capable of doing it yet. I just liked the tempo of the game, how in tough situations he didn’t panic. I like how he controlled his emotions, stayed on the game plan and just continued.”

Two pitchers Waits won’t see are Mayckol Guaipe and Seon Gi Kim, Both already have been promoted to Clinton of the Class A Midwest League.

“Guiape we were excited about last year,” Waits said. “He needed to work on some things, get stronger, and he’s done that over the winter and into the spring training. It’s not just what he did here in two games, but what he did the last month in the extended spring program.

“Kim was at Clinton last year and then came back because he needed to work on some things,” Waits continued. “He’s also gotten stronger and better, and he also deserved to go up and get that challenge.”

Morales honored

Sox right fielder Alfredo Morales was honored Monday as the Northwest League Player of the Week for June 25-July 1.

Morales, a 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic, started all seven of Everett’s games last week, batting .429 (12-for-26) with two doubles, one triple, one homer, five runs and four RBI.

Morales’ big week elevated his batting average to .262, which was third-best on the team.

Taylor’s streak ends

Everett shortstop Chris Taylor’s streak of reaching base in consecutive games came to an end Sunday under unfortunate circumstances.

Taylor, who reached base in each of Everett’s first 16 games and went into Monday’s action leading the league in on-base percentage at .527, did not start Sunday’s contest against Eugene. However, he was used as a pinch runner in the ninth inning.

Had Taylor not come to the plate, the streak would not have been snapped. However, the game went to extra innings and Taylor came up in the 10th, grounding into a fielder’s choice. Though Taylor technically reached base, the fielder’s choice did not count as reaching base because another player was forced out on Taylor’s grounder.

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