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The Seattle Mariners farm system is not terribly promising (sorry Seattle fans). They have wagered a lot on free agents like Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano and have completely depleted their farm system. Though they have a solid rotation and a great core to build their offense around, there are several teams within their own division who look to be younger and more balanced.
The worst part about the Mariners right now is their lack of minor league depth. They are an awful lot like the Los Angeles Angels where they have dealt away much of their depth in exchange for more Major League ready talent that has failed to pan out. Outside of Alex Jackson, the power-hitting outfielder, the Mariners do not possess much for dynasty owners.
Make sure to also check out our awesome 2016 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard, where you will find more of my dynasty rankings. You'll also find RotoBaller staff rankings for all positions, tiered rankings starting to ramp up, MLB prospect rankings for 2016, and much more. Okay, let's get to it.
Seattle Mariners Top 10 Dynasty Prospects
These are the top ten prospects for the Seattle Mariners in terms of fantasy production for fantasy owners in the next few seasons.
1. Alex Jackson (OF, A)
Stats: 121 PA, .157/.240/.213, 0 HR, 1 SB, 5.0% BB rate, 28.9% K rate
ETA: 2019
The only prospect worth owning in the Seattle Mariners’ system, Alex Jackson was considered to be one of if not the best pure bat in the 2014 draft. Jackson was taken with the sixth overall pick and made it all the way to A-ball in 2015. However, 2015 was not kind to Jackson as he really struggled to hit not only at A-ball, but at Low-A. This should not cause major concern among dynasty owners however as scouts still see as much potential in his bat as any other player in the minors. Jackson is far enough from the majors that dynasty owners don’t yet need to worry about stashing him unless he makes major strides in 2016, but he will definitely be worth owning in the future.
2. DJ Peterson (1B/3B, AAA)
Stats: (from AA) 393 PA, .223/.290/.346, 7 HR, 5 SB, 7.9% BB rate, 22.9% K rate
ETA: 2016
Though there is a little bit to like with DJ Peterson, he can be avoided in all but the deepest dynasty leagues. He has as much power as just about anyone in the minors, but he struggles to make consistent contact and strikes out too much. His 2014 season was very promising, but Peterson really regressed in 2015. The other concerning aspect for a power-only hitter is that he would be playing in the notoriously difficult Safeco Field which could drastically affect his power production. Peterson is not worth stashing for dynasty owners.
3. Tyler O’Neill (OF, A+)
Stats: 449 PA, .260/.316/.558, 32 HR, 16 SB, 6.5% BB rate, 30.5% K rate
ETA: 2018
Tyler O’Neill had a great season in 2015 and made a lot of progress into making himself a more prominent name in the Mariners’ system. Scouts do not see O’Neill as possessing the same amount of power as DJ Peterson, but he had a much better year than Peterson (albeit at a lower level). O’Neill needs to prove that he can cut down on the strikeouts though because a 30.5% strikeout rate at High-A does not look promising for development at higher levels. Much like Peterson, O’Neill is really a power-only guy who strikes out far too much. Unless he shows incredible progress in his plate discipline, consider O’Neill to be unownable.
4. Edwin Diaz (SP, AA)
Stats: 104.1 IP, 4.57 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 8.88 K/9, 3.19 BB/9, 0.43 HR/9
ETA: 2017
Edwin Diaz has the potential to be a middle of the rotation starter, but he needs to improve on his secondary pitches. Diaz has a low-90s fastball and a slider with some potential to be decent, but the slider will never be great and his changeup grades out as an average pitch for him. His command is solid, but he lacks the type of durability that most starting pitching prospects have. The Mariners want to keep him as a starting pitcher, but there is a good chance he will eventually require a change to become a reliever.
5. Nick Neidert (SP, R)
Stats: 35.1 IP, 1.53 ERA, 3.65 FIP, 5.86 K/9, 2.29 BB/9, 0.25 HR/9
ETA: 2018
Nick Neidert may be the most talented pitching prospect in the Mariner’s system, but he is a long way from the majors. Neidert was drafted in the second round of the 2015 draft out of high school. Neidert’s repertoire is well-rounded with a mid-90s fastball with solid movement, a changeup that looks to be his top out pitch, and a curveball that many scouts believe will eventually be forced to transition into a slider. Expect Neidert to be the best pitching prospect from the Seattle Mariners, but he is far enough away from the majors that dynasty owners don’t need to worry about stashing him just yet.
6. Luiz Gohara (SP, A)
Stats: (from A-) 43.2 IP, 6.20 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 10.40 K/9, 5.37 BB/9, 0.67 HR/9
ETA: 2019
Luiz Gohara has the potential to be a solid middle of the rotation starter for the Mariners, but he is still a long ways away from reaching the majors. He requires major improvements in his command and lacks quality secondary pitches. Gohara can be ignored for fantasy purposes.
7. Andrew Moore (SP, A-)
Stats: 39.0 IP, 2.08 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 9.92 K/9, 0.46 BB/9, 0.46 HR/9
ETA: 2018
In his brief time playing professional ball in 2015, Andrew Moore put together a very solid string of starts and finished with a very productive season. And though he possesses solid command of all of his pitches, Moore has an average repertoire at best. He may be in the majors sooner rather than later, but his limited arsenal limits his potential. He should not be considered ownable in dynasty leagues.
8. Boog Powell (OF, AAA)
Stats: 246 PA, .257/.360/.364, 2 HR, 7 SB, 13.0% BB rate, 16.7% K rate
ETA: 2016
Traded three times in the past year, Boog Powell has the makings of a solid top of the order batter, but he doesn’t have any desirable skills that make him fantasy relevant. Powell could contribute a few stolen bases and hit in the low .270s, but he would still be a below-average outfield fantasy option at best because of his underwhelming skillset. He can be considered unownable for dynasty purposes.
9. Ryan Yarbrough (SP, A+)
Stats: 81.1 IP, 3.76 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 8.19 K/9, 1.99 BB/9, 0.77 HR/9
ETA: 2017
Ryan Yarbrough had a solid season in 2015, but scouts don’t see his results translating to Major League production. His fastball sits in the low-90s and his changeup has some promise, but his breaking pitch leaves a lot to be desired. Most scouts project Yarbrough to be a relief pitcher, so consider Yarbrough to be unownable in dynasty leagues.
10. Braden Bishop (OF, A-)
Stats: 248 PA, .320/.367/.393, 2 HR, 13 SB, 2.0% BB rate, 13.3% K rate
ETA: 2018
Braden Bishop does not have a wide range of skills and does not project to be an outstanding outfielder. He has no power, above-average speed, and he is a below-average hitter with making contact. Bishop is unownable in dynasty leagues.
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