Strong future with M’s

By Kirby Arnold

Herald Writer

SEATTLE – Maybe today, in the All-Star Futures Game at Safeco Field, Jamal Strong finally will get the challenge the Seattle Mariners have been waiting to see.

Strong has literally raced through his first season and a half since being drafted by the Mariners last June, with no level of baseball so far capable of holding him.

Strong stole 60 bases in just 75 games with the Everett AquaSox last year and he started this season with such a rush – 35 steals in 39 attempts at Class A Appleton, Wis. – that the Mariners promoted him again.

“I like to be patient with players,” said Benny Looper, the Mariners’ director of player development. “There’s a lot to be said for letting a player experience success, because that’s the key to developing confidence. I’d rather move them too slow as too quickly, but when they overmatch the league, it’s time to move them up.”

So Strong packed his bags for Class A San Bernardino about a month ago, and he merely hit .395 with 12 steals in 29 games. That’s 47 steals already this season.

“I never say never, but my feeling now is to leave him at this level for remainder of year,” Looper said.

What that means is the biggest test of Strong’s young life could come today, when he plays for the USA team in the All-Star Futures Game.

Fifty of minor league baseball’s best players will meet in a seven-inning game pitting the USA against the World team. Strong is one of only three Class A players on the USA roster.

“It will be good exposure,” Looper said. “I think he’ll handle it fine. He’s seen Safeco Field before when the kids were up here last year when they were in Everett.”

This will be the third Futures Game, which already has seen its participants make waves in the major leagues. Twenty-seven players from the first two games are in the majors, including pitcher Ben Sheets of the Brewers and catcher Ben Petrick of the Rockies.

Among those playing today who fans, and scouts, should keep an eye on are:

Nick Johnson, a left-handed hitter who is considered the first baseman of the future for the New York Yankees.

Sean Burroughs, a third baseman in the Padres organization whose promise has helped keep alive talk that San Diego might trade Phil Nevin.

Hank Blalock, a Class AA third baseman with the Rangers who hit for the cycle twice in a week last month.

Nick Neugebauer, one of the Brewers’ top pitching prospects because of his size (6-3, 235 pounds) and strength (a 100 mph fastball).

Jae Seo, a right-handed pitcher from South Korea who has overcome arm problems since the Mets signed him in 1997. He could make the major league team next spring.

Carlos Pena, a left-handed-hitting first baseman from the Dominican Republic. He is considered one of the top power-hitting prospects in baseball.

Those six, plus the other 44, are the reason major league executives like Looper plan to pay close attention today.

“On a day-to-day basis I try to track players in all of professional baseball,” he said. “This is a chance to lay eyes on those guys in other leagues that we don’t see. It’ll be good experience for me as well.”

Two baseball greats will manage the teams, Minnie Minoso for the World and Hall of Fame pitcher (and former Mariner) Gaylord Perry for the USA.

Joel Pineiro, a right-handed pitcher with the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers, was on the original World team roster but will miss today’s game after being called up to the Mariners late last week.