Matt Mangini’s professional career was delayed by one of the most frightening monsters in the Pacific Northwest:
I-5 traffic on a Friday afternoon.
The traffic snarl prevented Mangini, who landed in Seattle at 3 p.m., from arriving at Everett Memorial Stadium until 6:15, thus delaying his first professional start (he did get into Friday’s game as a pinch-hitter). But the blue-chip third-base prospect was in the lineup Saturday and ready to get his career started for real.
“I’m real excited about it,” said Mangini, who was the Seattle Mariners’ second selection in this year’s draft. “I’m happy to have all the other stuff behind me and getting out here to start working and helping us win some ballgames.”
Mangini was a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds, selected 52nd overall out of Oklahoma State. He was considered a potential first rounder after winning the Cape Cod League batting title last summer. However, he had a somewhat disappoinging junior season this fall – if .332 with nine homers and 49 RBI can be considered disappointing – and thus slipped a bit. But that didn’t bother Mangini at all.
“I think it’s right where I belong, it was a good fit for me to go in that spot,” he said. “People are going to say what they’re going to say. If (going earlier in the draft) would have happened it would have been great. But anywhere in the top three or five rounds is a plus, and once you get out here it doesn’t matter where you got picked.”
It’s uncertain how long Mangini will be in Everett. In recent years position players who were high draft picks straight out of college tended to get promoted. Last season Adam Moore and Chris Minaker were only around for a few weeks, and two years ago first-round pick Jeff Clement spent just four games with the Sox.
But Mangini didn’t know of any such plans.
“I haven’t heard anything about that,” he said. “They’re going to do what they’re going to do, that’s their job. My job is just go out and play and help the AquaSox win some games.”
Short hops: AquaSox first baseman Kris Sanchez was in the starting lineup for the first time this season. Sanchez missed the first three games of the season with a cut on his thumb, then was used as a pinch-hitter Friday. … With Mangini added to the roster, it’s beginning to get crowded in the dugout. The Sox now have 16 position players on the roster, enough for two full teams in the field. It also makes for some long batting practice sessions before the games. … Going into Saturday’s game Everett had yet to hit a home run. The Sox were the only team in the league without a homer so far this season.
Tonight’s game
Opponent: Tri-City Dust Devils
When: 7:15 p.m.
Where: Dust Devils Stadium, Pasco
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)
Probable starters: Everett left-hander Edward Paredes (1-0, 0.00) vs. Tri-City right-hander Luis Caro (no record)
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
