The News Tribune’s Top 10 list of the organization’s top prospects and its accompanying Watch List.
Outfielder Alex Jackson
(Bats right, throws right, 6 feet 2, 215 pounds, age 20 on opening day, first-round pick in 2014).
His dismal first full pro season symbolized why new general manager Jerry Dipoto gutted the player-development staff. Still has all the tools to be an impact middle-of-the-order bat in the big leagues.
Right-hand pitcher Tony Zych
(R-R, 6-3, 190, 25, fourth round in 2011 by Chicago Cubs).
Acquired last April from the Cubs, Zych unlocked his stalled potential after making a small change in his mechanics. Now seen as a possible closer in the future.
Shortstop Drew Jackson
(R-R, 6-2, 200, 22, fifth round in 2015).
Viewed as an underachiever through much of his college career at Stanford, he found his form midway through his junior year and carried it into his first pro season. Must now validate that breakthrough in a full-season league.
Outfielder Boog Powell
L-L, 5-10, 185, 23, 20th round in 2012 by Oakland).
Has always displayed the on-base skills so desired by the Mariners’ new braintrust, he could be a regular in the big leagues as soon as 2017.
Right-hand pitcher Edwin Diaz
(R-R, 6-3, 195, 22, third round in 2012).
That Diaz is generally viewed as the system’s top rotation candidate says more about the system than Diaz’s skills. Even so, there’s potential here as he continues to fill out a frail frame. But it’s time for a breakout year.
Right-hand pitcher Nick Neidert
(R-R, 6-1, 180, 19, second round, in 2015).
He battled elbow tendinitis as a high school senior, which is one reason why the Mariners limited him to 351/3 innings in 11 starts in the Arizona Rookie League. Draws comparisons to Tim Hudson; man, the Mariners would love that.
Outfielder Dario Pizzano
(L-R, 5-11, 200, 24, 15th round in 2012).
An under-the-radar prospect for much of his four pro seasons, Pizzano got an invitation to big-league camp because of his .383 career on-base percentage. A left fielder whose defense must improve.
Left-handed pitcher Paul Fry
(L-L, 6-0, 190, 23, 17th round in 2013).
Has improved steadily in climbing through the system. Picked last year as the organization’s reliever of the year after compiling a 2.02 ERA in 50 games at Hi-A Bakersfield (28 games) and Double-A Jackson (22).
Outfielder Tyler O’Neill
(R-R, 5-11, 210, 20, third round in 2013).
It’s notable that despite hitting 32 homers last season in 106 games at Bakersfield that O’Neill didn’t get a non-roster invite to big-league camp. It’s also easily explained: 137 strikeouts in 407 at-bats. That lack of contact in A-ball raised concerns.
Catcher Tyler Marlette
(R-R, 5-11, 195, 23, fifth round in 2011).
His production dipped sharply last season after two encouraging years, which is troubling because he’s never been a smooth receiver. Like O’Neill, it’s notable that he didn’t get a camp invite.
WATCH LIST
(in alphabetical order)
Right-handed pitcher Jonathan Aro came from Boston in a trade and could pitch his way into a big-league job with a fastball-slider-changeup repertoire. … Outfielder Braden Bishop had an encouraging first pro season at the plate to complement his speed and top-flight defensive skill. He needs to build on that. … Left-hand pitcher Luiz Gohara is still just 19, but it’s time for him to harness at least some of his potential after going 5-17 with a 5.75 ERA in three pro seasons. … Outfielder Brayan Hernandez didn’t do much last year in the Dominican Summer League after getting a $1.85 million bonus as a 17-year-old in 2014. … Left-hand pitcher Danny Hultzen is still around. He’s switching this season to the bullpen. Maybe that helps his troublesome shoulder to hold up. … Outfielder Luis Liberato, then 19, was probably over-promoted last season in a jump from the Arizona Rookie League to Lo-A Clinton. And it showed. He was better when reassigned to Short-A Everett. … Right-hand pitcher Andrew Moore is a pitchability guy who had a great pro debut last season at Everett. But he’ll have to prove his stuff at every step in the system. Outfielder Gareth Morgan won’t be 20 until April 12, but 2014’s second-round pick struck out 162 times in 377 at-bats over the last two years in the Arizona Rookie League. … Has anyone’s stock fallen farther than first baseman/third baseman D.J. Peterson? A year ago, he was No. 2 in the TNT Top 10. Then all sorts of red flags surfaced. A key year looms. Right-handed pitcher Dylan Thompson is a 19-year-old who had a strong pro debut last year in the Arizona Rookie League. It will be interesting to see whether the Mariners jump him to Lo-A Clinton. … Outfielder Austin Wilson is another high pick (second round in 2013) who just hasn’t panned out. Health issues stalled him in 2014, but he batted just .239 last year in 109 games at Hi-A Bakersfield. Still loaded with tools, though. … Left-hand pitcher Ryan Yarbrough regressed a bit last season at Bakersfield after a double jump following a fine pro debut in 2014 at Short-A Everett. Has a plus sinking fastball and could make a major move if he develops another reliable pitch.
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