MLB Seattle Mariners

Ranking the Seattle Mariners’ Top 5 Pitching Prospects Heading Into 2015

Ranking the Seattle Mariners' Top 5 Pitching Prospects Heading Into 2015

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Taijuan Walker was in the No. 1 slot at this time last year. He and James Paxton are young pitchers who aim to be big contributors to the 2015 rotation. Here are the next five who line up with hopes of achieving big league production in the coming months and years.

5. LHP Danny Hultzen - 25

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5. LHP Danny Hultzen - 25

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Danny Hultzen had a strong college career at the University of Virginia back in 2011, and the Mariners drafted him second overall that same year. He made it all the way to Triple-A Tacoma in 2012, but did not fare so well. He improved greatly in 2013, posting an ERA of 2.05 over six starts before injury struck. Hultzen then underwent surgery on his labrum and rotator cuff, missing the rest of 2013 and all of 2014.

4. LHP Tyler Pike - 20

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4. LHP Tyler Pike - 20

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Tyler Pike was selected in the third round of the 2012 amateur draft. His K/9 has dropped off with each level he progressed at through the minors, and his ERA was a robust 7.35 in 13 starts last year in Double-A. He's still young, but his low 90's fastball needs to pair nicely with his curveball and change in order for him to find success at the Major League level.

3. RHP Victor Sanchez - 19

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3. RHP Victor Sanchez - 19

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The Mariners dipped into the international market when they signed the Venezuelan in 2011. In 2013, he threw a no-hitter while with the Single-A Clinton LumberKings, becoming the youngest player in franchise history to do so. The 6-foot right-hander digressed some in Triple-A, and he is currently projected to be a No. 4 style starter in a rotation.

2. LHP Luiz Gohara - 18

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2. LHP Luiz Gohara - 18

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Another international signee, the Brazilian teenager's fastball touches 94 MPH on the radar gun right now. A curve, slider and change up are being worked on in his repertoire, so he could be something special in the future. He is a ways off from logging MLB innings, but a No. 2 or No. 3 starter is a reasonable projection by 2018.

1. RHP Edwin Diaz - 20

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1. RHP Edwin Diaz - 20

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Edwin Diaz has gained 20 pounds of muscle mass since his high school playing days, and his fastball has the ability to touch the mid to high 90's. His secondary pitch is an above average slider, with a change up being his tertiary pitch. After posting a 3.33 ERA in a full season at Single-A, Diaz will likely start 2015 with the Double-A Jackson Generals.

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