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The Seattle Mariners will be our next stop on the farm to evaluate the best prospects on each MLB team. Once the 2020 MLB season begins, it may turn out that Minor League systems will be more important than usual. Franchises are losing money during the pandemic layoff, so many teams will be looking for sources of cheap production. It might also take older players longer to rebound from a long layoff meaning we could see more injuries and more roster moves. We might even see expanded rosters, at least in the early going.
One important question to ask is: How will a long layoff affect prospects? One has to assume the more advanced prospects prior to the work stoppage will be at an advantage, while the more “toolsy but raw” type could be hurt with the lack of repetition and in-game action; throwing or hitting in simulated environments just doesn’t match up to the real thing. Many prospects will have to work jobs during the pandemic just to make ends meet, while players who signed for large bonuses will have an advantage. Other prospects that lack strong discipline and commitment to their craft could struggle to stay in shape.
We won’t really know what the layoff impact will have on baseball in general until things start ramping up. But we do know that a strong prospect pool will continue to be an important element for a successful baseball franchise. We're looking at the Top 10 (or more) dynasty prospects in each organization with an eye to discovering which organizations are best positioned to succeed with their player development when games resume. Make sure to check out all of our prospect content, including Top 50 for 2020 and Top 250 for Dynasty Leagues.
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Quick Synopsis
The Mariners system has a nice combination of impact prospects and depth. The system also has intriguing prospects littered throughout from top to bottom.
1. Jarred Kelenic, OF
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 5
2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021
Kelenic has quickly developed into one of the best prospects in the game and reached Double-A in 2019 as a 20-year-old. He should be a multi-tool player in the Majors with the ability to hit for average, power, and steal bases. He’s also shown a willingness to take a walk and could eventually become a beast in on-base leagues, too.
2. Julio Rodriguez, OF
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 11
2020 LEVEL: A+
MLB ETA: 2022
Early last year, I pointed to Rodriguez as a potential breakout prospect for 2019 and he was on the way to doing just that when he was slowed by injury. Just 19, he reached High-A ball while showing an advanced hitting ability. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, he should eventually tap into his raw power and produce 20-30 home runs. He's still only scratching the surface of his potential.
3. Logan Gilbert, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 55
2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021
A top 2018 pick, Gilbert had an excellent first full pro season in 2019 by pitching at three levels and reaching Double-A. Overall, he struck out 165 batters in 135 innings. He has above-average control and a chance for four above-average offerings. There is at least No. 3 starter potential here.
4. Noelvi Marte, SS
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 69
2020 LEVEL: Rookie
MLB ETA: 2023
Marte dominated the Dominican Summer League as a 17-year-old last year. He should eventually hit for above-average power and has a chance to hit for average, too, although he has some swing-and-miss to his game that could improve with further experience.
5. George Kirby, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 72
2020 LEVEL: A+
MLB ETA: 2022
Like Logan Gilbert in 2018, I felt the Mariners got a steal in 2019 with an underrated college arm in Kirby. This right-hander has plus-plus control (25-0 K-BB rate in 23 innings during his pro debut) which helps his low-to-mid-90s fastball play up. He has four pitches and a chance for three of those to develop into above-average offerings.
6. Justin Dunn, LHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 92
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
I’m perhaps a bit lower on Dunn than some. He has two above-average offerings and solid control but his below-average command keeps him from dominating as much as he should. A long layoff like this won’t help him improve in that area. For now, he looks like more of a No. 4 starter but there is further ceiling here if he can make the adjustments.
7. Kyle Lewis, OF
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 94
2020 Prospect Rank: 22
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
Considered one of the top college hitters in the 2016 draft, Lewis has been slow to develop due to injury issues and massive swing-and-miss concerns. Those latter concerns remain but his power output exploded once he reached the juiced ball in the Majors with six home runs in 18 games (He skipped over Triple-A). If he can continue to show 30-40 home run pop in this environment, the 180+ strikeouts won’t matter.
8. Evan White, 1B
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 103
2020 Prospect Rank: 27
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
The Mariners went all-in on White in 2019 by providing him a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract even though he has yet to play more than four games above Double-A. A former top college hitter, he’s continued to be an above-average hitter in pro ball despite an overly-aggressive approach at times. He did a better job of hitting for power in 2019 after tweaking his approach and swing to hit more fly balls.
9. Justus Sheffield, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 111
2020 Prospect Rank: 46
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
Like Justin Dunn above, Sheffield doesn’t dominate as much as he should considering his stuff because he lacks consistent command. He also has less control than his fellow pitcher. He shows three pitches with the potential to be average or better so there is hope he can start but Sheffield might be better off in the bullpen where his lack of consistent command and control could have less of an impact.
10. Jake Fraley, OF
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 197
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
Fraley doesn’t have a huge ceiling but he could hit well enough to be an everyday outfielder on a good baseball club. He could stand to be a little more patient but he’s shown the ability to threaten for a 20-20 (HR-SB) season if he continues to have the benefit of the juiced balls.
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