MLB Seattle Mariners

Ranking the Seattle Mariners’ Top 10 Prospects Heading Into 2015

Ranking the Seattle Mariners’ Top 10 Prospects Heading Into 2015

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The M's have a projected rotation for 2015 that would make a lot of other managers around baseball jealous. As you would expect, the club has been drafting talented hitting prospects heavily over the last couple of years. Here is a list of the top 10 players in the Mariners' farm system, with their age as of Opening Day 2015 listed.

10. Tyler Marlette, 22 - C

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10. Tyler Marlette, 22 - C

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The Florida product struggled last year in Double-A Jackson hitting only .250. He projects to be an average defender. If he hopes to get to the majors, he will need to let his power translate well at the Triple-A level.

MLB comparison: Wilin Rosario

9. Luiz Gohara, 18 - LHP

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9. Luiz Gohara, 18 - LHP

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A blossoming region for baseball talent, Brazil's crop of international prospects is on the rise. Gohara is an example of this and has the chance to be special. The southpaw's fastball sits in the mid 90s, offering an above average curveball as well. His slider and change-up are developing, but to be 18 and throw four pitches well means he has starter potential written all over him.

MLB comparison: C.J. Wilson

8. Ketel Marte, 21 - SS

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8. Ketel Marte, 21 - SS

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Marte swatted .313/.367/.450 in 80 ABs when he got called up to Triple-A Tacoma late in the 2014 season. His best tool is his speed and it translates to solid range at either middle infield position. No power to speak of, but the Dominican's ability to make contact from both sides of the plate as a switch hitter is a plus.

MLB comparison: Emilio Bonifacio

7. Gareth Morgan, 18 - OF

Gareth Morgan
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7. Gareth Morgan, 18 - OF

Gareth Morgan
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The Toronto, Canada native was the second overall pick by the Mariners in the 2014 amateur draft following their selection of Alex Jackson. Morgan has raw power and is a big body at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. His strong arm will profile him as a right fielder in the M's system.

MLB comparison: Justin Upton

6. Patrick Kivlehan, 24 - INF/OF

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6. Patrick Kivlehan, 24 - INF/OF

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Kivlehan played college football for Rutgers before joining the baseball team in his senior year. After doing so, he got on a lot of MLB scouts' radars quickly and was selected by the M's in the fourth round of the 2012 amateur draft.

MLB comparison: Pedro Alvarez

5. Edwin Diaz, 21 - RHP

Edwin Diaz
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5. Edwin Diaz, 21 - RHP

Edwin Diaz
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Diaz had a very slender build when he signed in 2012. His plus fastball and slider are his bread and butter. His command is also rather refined for his age. He could be a future closer once Fernando Rodney's contract expires, but don't be surprised if he is groomed to be a starter or traded away, either.

MLB comparison: Neftali Feliz

4. Austin Wilson, 23 - OF/DH

Austin Wilson
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4. Austin Wilson, 23 - OF/DH

Austin Wilson
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Wilson is a smart young man with a bright future. Both his parents have MBAs from Harvard, with Wilson himself having earned a degree following his playing days for the Stanford Cardinal baseball program. A five-tool prospect, he was expected to be a first-round pick in 2010. Once he committed to Stanford, the Mariners snatched him up in the second round of the 2013 draft.

MLB comparison: Michael Morse

3. Gabriel Guerrero, 21 - RF

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3. Gabriel Guerrero, 21 - RF

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His uncle, Vladimir Guerrero, was known as a free swinger and the best bad ball hitter in the league during his MLB years. The nephew's career line in three minor league seasons is .294-38-232. Vlad tallied a .322-45-174 line over his first three minor league seasons. Like his uncle, Gabriel has a world-class arm for an outfielder.

MLB comparison: Adam Jones

2. D.J. Peterson, 23 - 3B/1B/DH

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2. D.J. Peterson, 23 - 3B/1B/DH

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Peterson played in the NCAA before being selected 12th overall in the 2013 amateur draft. A broken jaw cut short his 2013 development. Since then, he’s back on track after clobbering 31 home runs and 111 RBIs between Advanced-A and Double-A in 2014. Peterson plays third base now, but with Kyle Seager being the superior fielder, his defensive attributes are probably more suited for first base.

MLB comparison: Edwin Encarnacion

1. Alex Jackson, 19 - C/OF

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1. Alex Jackson, 19 - C/OF

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Jackson was the sixth overall pick selected by the Mariners in the 2014 amateur draft. He played catcher in high school, but with Mike Zunino set to build on his impressive 22 home run campaign in 2014, the organization proved wise in shifting Jackson to a corner outfield position. The fact that he’s already shot his way up to the top M’s prospect at only 18 years old speaks volumes about his potential.

MLB comparison: Buster Posey

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