This is a discussion on Mariners Top Prospects within the Seattle Mariners forum at Strike 3 Forums; Figured this would be an interesting idea. I'll rank the top 20 guys, throw ...

MarinersFan87 · **Mariners Top Prospects -** 08-01-2005, 03:45 PM

Figured this would be an interesting idea. I'll rank the top 20 guys, throw a link to their stats so we can keep up with their progress. I'm not going by rookie status or anything like that, the only young guy that I'm going to leave out is Reed since he is already an everyday guy.

1. Felix Hernandez, RHP
2. Jeff Clement, C
3. Jose Lopez, 2B
4. Adam Jones, SS
5. Matt Tuiasosopo, SS/OF
6. Yorman Bazardo, RHP
7. Shin-Soo Choo, OF
8. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
9. Clint Nageotte, RHP
10. Bobby Livingston, LHP
11. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
12. Chris Snelling, OF
13. Wladimir Balentien, OF
14. Jesse Foppert, RHP
15. Rene Rivera, C
16. Travis Blackley, LHP
17. Daniel Santin, C
18. Thomas Oldham, RHP
19. Casey Craig, OF
20. Mike Morse, SS

Discuss/criticize/debate/rip to shreds/enjoy.

Porter99 · 08-01-2005, 07:43 PM

I think Snelling is our 3rd best guy right now. Hes dominating Tacoma right now. He has no business being there. Even the Tacoma play by play man said this on Locked on Sports on Saturday.

Providence A's · 08-01-2005, 08:23 PM

so this campillo fellow isn't even in your top 20? why'd they call him up then?

Porter99 · 08-01-2005, 10:40 PM

Campillo isnt really a prospect. I still dont know why he didnt make the team to begin with honestly.

MarinersFan87 · 08-02-2005, 01:46 AM

I didn't include Campillo because he was pretty much ML ready out of the Mexican league and he is like 26, but I'd probably stick him around number 9.

MarinersFan87 · 08-03-2005, 05:44 PM

I think this would be a pretty good sticky Porter, I plan to add a few guys and change up the order every now and then.

But yeah, Clement was promoted to Wisconsin, that would be pretty sweet if he made it to Inland by the end of the year. And then next year have him start out in San Antonio and put Rivera in Tacoma.

I'm really starting to like Wladimir Balentien. What the kid has done in his time in the minors is pretty insane. In Peoria, the rookie league, he broke the league record for HR's. Last year, in Wisconsin, he hit .277 with 16 HR's and 52 RBI's. This year, he is mashing again hitting .271 with 19 HR's and 61 RBI's, and the 21 year old has deceptively good speed. The K-BB is a problem, but don't you think there is room in our outfield for a guy with 30 HR potential, despite his peak OBP probably never reaching .340? I say, deal Choo this offseason. With Snelling, Reed, Tui, Balentien, and probably a converted Jones in the outfield we have more than enough depth in the OF.

Porter99 · 08-05-2005, 04:53 PM

Jamal Strong could probably go to. Forget the fact he tested positive, Hes still a very capabale ML player. I wished they went into detail why he tested positive.

This is stickied by the way. Fullerton your also a prospect buff, id like to get your insight on some of the players in the system.

MarinersFan87 · 08-13-2005, 02:23 PM

Some updates: Jeff Clement is starting to adjust to the wood bats, he had a rough start in Wisconsin, but his OBP is climbing and he hit his first HR... Bazardo had an iffy second start... Adam Jones is tearing the cover off the ball still, he has got to be one of the most underrated prospects in baseball, I'd like to see him start off in Tacoma next year... Tui should get promoted to Inland soon... Livingston is getting roughed up in Tacoma... Still no Foppert sighting, he was supposed to make a start last Sunday?

themarinersmaniac · 09-01-2005, 10:32 PM

Where's Sherrill? I think Bet is at least in the top 10, but good job otherwise.

Porter99 · 09-01-2005, 11:48 PM

Sherill is no longer a rookie, and hes 28.

MarinersFan87 · 09-14-2005, 12:55 PM

Updated.

Moved Clement, Jones, Choo, Livingston, Balentein, and a few others up. All had great ends to their seasons. Especially Livingston, who finished off with a bang, striking out 14 (14!) in 7 innings. And this is from a guy who can't touch 90 on the gun. His curve is quickly working it's way into Barry Zito-esque.

MarinersFan87 · 10-12-2005, 06:08 PM

I updated the list for probably the last time this season. I'll probably do another at the beginning of the season that won't include Felix, Jose, Yubet, Morse, etc.

No major changes, I bumped up Yuniesky a lot. Pushed down Snelling some due to injuries, even though I don't consider him really a prospect anymore. He's more of a top 20 OF in the majors if he's healthy guy at this point.

Porter99 · 10-14-2005, 03:31 PM

Snelling probably isnt a spect any more and Felix is just superhuman right now.