Who Will The Mariners Draft?

by Justin Olsen Posted on 05/15/2012

With the MLB draft coming up on June 4th I figured it was time to look at the possible Mariners targets and how we see the top 3 shaking out.

So far the consensus top talent in the draft has been Georgia high school outfielder Byron Buxton and many have wondered if the Astros would select the young prospect with the top pick. It could happen but with a move to the AL in 2013 and a surprisingly strong team this season I feel the team will opt for a college pitcher such as Mark Appel or even a college hitter such as Florida catcher Mike Zunino.

Next comes the Minnesota Twins. Many have decided the team will go with one of the top arms in the draft even if Byron Buxton is available. I have to agree. With Aaron Hicks, Joe Benson, Oswaldo Garcia and possibly Eddie Rosario crowding the teams minor league outfielders it would be wise to go a different route. Pitching talent is much needed in Minnesota and if I were a betting man the Twins will go with Mark Appel, Kyle Zimmer or Kevin Gausman.

With the #3 pick in the 2012 MLB Draft the Seattle Mariners select……

Mike Zunino, C – Florida – Sure the team has Jesus Montero currently honing his craft behind the plate and his bat looks like it will carry him even if he provides average defense behind the plate. However, Jack Z may be looking to draft a bat close to the big league level and Zunino could be that guy. If it were up to me I would look at possibly moving Zunino to 3B but I have no evidence that is even being considered or would be considered if he were drafted. All things considered Mike Zunino is a solid prospect who could make it to the big leagues rather quickly.

Byron Buxton, OF – Appling County High School – Buxton is the most talented player in the draft and while this is considered to be one of the weakest draft classes in recent memory its likely Buxton would be a top 5 pick any year. Standing 6’1” and just under 200 lbs, Buxton has been compared to the Upton brothers along with outfielder Eric Davis. Keith Law ranks Buxton as an 80 runner with “big future power” and considers him a 5 tool talent.

Carlos Correa, SS – PR Baseball Academy – When I first started looking at the 2012 draft pool I had not heard of Correa but after looking through some video and scouting reports I am very intrigure. At 6’3” and 190 lbs its possible that Carlos outgrows SS but even as a 3B he offers great value. Most scouting reports indicate Correa offers above average power potential with the ability to make solid contact but consider his pitch recognition as a work in progress. The talent is there and definitely worth a top pick.

When the time comes for the Mariners to make their selection I believe it will come down to one of these three players. Everything hinges on whether the Astros or Twins select high school outfielder Byron Buxton. If he slips past both teams I can see the team running to the podium to make that selection. If not Correa or Zunino would both be great consolation prizes.

Posted in Mariners, MLB Draft | Leave a comment

Figgins Needs To Move On

by Justin Olsen Posted on 05/04/2012

Starting the season we all thought the Mariners finally were watching leadoff hitter and starting third baseman ‘getting it’ after his hot start and  finally giving the team the hitter they thought they were signing. Oh how we were wrong. Through 108 at bats Figgins now has a .555 OPS. Yet he still sits at the top of the lineup.

Why? At what point does the team realize this contract is a sunk cost and move on? Hopefully soon. We have kids who need playing time. Carp is back from his DL stint and Saunders has finally started to hit and cement his role in CF. Seager has been solid and Liddi could be rotated through 3B and DH with Montero catching until Olivo is back.

There is no room for Figgins. Keeping him on the roster is detrimental to our long term success and offers little outside the position flexibility. Its time to part ways Jack Z. The experiment is over.

Posted in Mariners, Random Thoughts | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Mariano Rivera Tears ACL; Career Over?

by Justin Olsen Posted on 05/04/2012

The baseball world, whether you are a Yankees fan or not, suffered a huge blow when Yankees closer Mariano Rivera went down on the warning track during batting practice and was later reported to have torn his ACL and meniscus. With 608 saves throughout his amazing career Rivera is the all-time leader and considered the greatest closer of all time and a lock for the Hall Of Fame.

The injury occurred when Rivera was shagging flyballs during Yankees batting practice, which is considered one of his training activities and the highlight of his day. Falling to the ground writhing in pain it was apparent the injury was very serious and it immediately became a hot topic on twitter.

As a Mariners fan I have grown to dislike the Yankees with as much fervor as the next. I remember the brawls during the Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr era and was even at the Kingdome for one. However, I have always respected and enjoyed watching Mariano Rivera pitch. He not only dominated on the field but went about his business off the field with respect for the game, his family and himself. If this is the last we see of Rivera its a loss for Major League Baseball and fans of the entire game. Mariano Rivera truly is one of the greatest players, and human beings, we have all had the opportunity to witness. We wish him the best of luck in his recovery.

Posted in BREAKING NEWS, Injuries, MLB | Tagged , | Leave a comment

State Of The Blog Address

by Justin Olsen Posted on 05/04/2012

I wanted to touch bases with the readers that have stuck by the blog through my time of inactivity. Thank you. Its been a rough few months but things are starting to settle down again. I’ve been dealing with some anxiety/depression issues and to be honest through that time my interest in baseball ended at watching the games. I just didn’t want to talk about it as I would rather sit back and enjoy the game on TV.

I’ve also started coaching t-ball and working on a group called “Take A Stand Against Bullying” to help combat this issue our kids face today. Both have taken more work than I had expected even being out of work due to an injured back.

This is not meant as a pity post. I just want you all to know I am still here and still going strong. The passion for baseball is still there and from this point forward I will have more of an active role in the blog. Thank you for sticking with me and the blog. I appreciate it.

 

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Carp Activated; Olivo To DL

by Justin Olsen Posted on 05/01/2012

The Mariners have sent catcher Miguel Olivo, who is hitting .210 with 3 homeruns and 17 RBI, to the 15 day DL with a groin injury while activating Mike Carp to take his roster spot. Last season Carp hit .276 with 12 homeruns and 46.

Currently the plan is for Carp to split time between LF and DH with Jesus Montero taking over catching duties against left handed pitchers while Jaso starts against lefties.

Posted in Injuries, Mariners | Leave a comment

Phil Humber Pitches Perfect Game

by Justin Olsen Posted on 04/21/2012

Today Phil Humber of the Chicago White Sox threw the 21st perfect game in MLB history and did it with efficiency, throwing just 96 pitches to complete perfection. While Humber obviously walked none and allowed nine hits he did strike out 9.

Its tough when such a great pitching performance comes against your hometown team but its tough to not sit back and appreciate perfection. Congrat’s go out to Phil Humber and the Chicago White Sox. You all earned it today.

Posted in BREAKING NEWS, MLB | Leave a comment

Mariners Edge Rangers 4-3; Montero Catches

by Justin Olsen Posted on 04/11/2012

I was only able to watch the game from the 6th inning and caught the tail end of Millwood’s outstanding performance and the two homeruns allowed by feel good story Steve Delebar. As much as I want to like Delebar, and I know he is a great guy, I just don’t think he is ready for the big leagues at this time. His fastball touched 94 but he was grooving it down the middle and his slider didn’t seem to have much effect.

Things looked bleak until the Mariners added a run then 3 more in the 9th. John Jaso hit a triple and then added the go ahead run, showing why the team needs to get him a few more at bats.

Brandon League came in and shut things down, flashing the nastiness we have grown accustomed to over the last couple seasons.

One thing that stood out in the brief time I was able to watch the game was the solid play by Jesus Montero behind the plate. I did see a replay of his throw to second trying to nab the runner and the footwork was poor but I was nothing that makes me believe he cannot be at least an average catcher. I don’t think he will be anything more than that but if he can indeed hit .300/30/100 then it doesn’t matter if he is only average behind the plate. Ill take it.

For those that do read the blog I do apologize for the lack of content the last few weeks. I have been dealing with a few issues, including anxiety and depression, and I have had a hard time sitting down and writing. The plan was to start writing much more starting today but after learning of a death in the family that will have to wait until Monday. Thank you for being patient and sticking around.

Posted in Mariners | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Mariners Take Season Opener 3-1

by Justin Olsen Posted on 03/28/2012

The Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 3-1 in 11 innings. In Japan. Very early in the morning here in the great Pacific Northwest. The game had been tied 1-1 and somewhere during the latter innings I dozed off and woke up to a 2-1 lead, which later grew to 3-1. I did manage to witness Dustin Ackley flash a bit of power with a solidly hit homerun to right CF and the 4 hits by home nation hero Ichiro.

Felix Hernandez was King Felix once again with 8 innings of 1 rune ball while striking out 6 and walking none. Oh, and he got little run support while in the game and picked up a no decision. Not much different there.

As much as I do love that baseball is finally back I do not like the 3AM start and find it hard to stay excited all the way through. Somewhere around the 6th inning I started to wish the game would just be over so I could sleep. We do it against at 2AM Thursday morning and then head back to Seattle to continue spring training.

Who is staying up again?

Posted in Mariners | Leave a comment

First Pitch & Top Of 1st

by Justin Olsen Posted on 03/28/2012

The game starts with two quick outs from Chone Figgins and Dustin Ackley, who both ground out weakly. No excitement there.

Ichiro to the plate. Wow. Ichiro takes the count to 3-2, showing great plate discipline, and then chops one behind mound for his first hit. An infield hit. Runner on 1st with 1 out and Justin Smoak waking to the plate. After fouling of a few pitches Smoak can’t check the swing and strikes out to end the inning. 

Time for King Felix to show us what he’s got! We are heading to the bottom of the 1st in Japan with the game tied 0-0.

Posted in Mariners | Leave a comment