Mariners Prospect Performances (April 2018)

0 Shares

We are a little less than a month into the Major League baseball season and so far three of my top 50 Mariners prospects have seen big league action including two that made the roster out of Spring Training. Dan Vogelbach, a top ten prospect in January, forced his way onto the roster with an impressive spring. He beat out Mike Ford (#16 in January), a Rule 5 draft pick for the backup job and was consequently sent back to the Yankees. He has since struggled with consistency in April, due in part to his platoon 1B status. It’s going to be difficult to expect progress without playing every day. With the return of Ryon Healy from the disabled list, Vogelbach was just sent back to Triple-A.

The other prospect to make the roster out of Peoria was #37 overall prospect, catcher Mike Marjama. Marjama was part of the opening day battery opposite Felix Hernandez due to Mike Zunino being a late injury scratch. The injury opened up another spot on the roster which went to #34 prospect, catcher David Freitas. Freitas has had a little more success than Marjama at the plate and remained on the roster when Zunino returned last week, shuffling Marjama back down to AAA.

In other prospect news, #1 overall organizational prospect Kyle Lewis has been cleared to play and will do so at extended spring training. With that news putting a smile on Mariners fan faces comes news that top overall pitching prospect Sam Carlson is still dealing with elbow issues and the fear that Tommy John surgery may be in his future.

Notable April Prospects:

Wyatt Mills – The third round pick in last year’s draft picked up where he left off in 2017. In 8 games with High-A Modesto he has a 2-0 record with a 1.69 ERA and 0.56 WHIP and 11 Ks in 10.2 innings coming out of the bullpen. He has hit 96 MPH on the radar gun and looks to move swiftly through the minors.

Evan White – The overall number 2 prospect in the organization has been on a tear after a slow start with Modesto. In his first 67 at bats this season he’s slashing .239/.354/.284. with 3 doubles, 0 HR, and only 6 RBI.

2017 Bowman’s Best Evan White and 2017 Elite Extra Edition Evan White autograph, via @Scotty_Ballgame

Rob Whalen – The right hander has had an impressive April in Tacoma. Thus far he is 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA and 1.286 WHIP while striking out 22 in 23.1 innings. We may be seeing him sooner than later in Seattle.

Chase De Jong – After a rough 2017 season, De Jong is starting to look like the pitcher he was in 2016. In 4 games he is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.167 WHIP.

Ian Miller – The center fielder is hitting .310 with 18 hits in 17 games in Tacoma.

Oliver Jaskie – Last year’s 6th round selection has 19 Ks in 15.1 innings while posting a 1-0 record and 0.59 ERA in Clinton.

Chris Mariscal – He has been solid with AA Arkansas batting .290 with a .868 OPS, 2 HR and 3 doubles in 17 games.

Sam Delaplane – The reliever had gotten off to a great start in Clinton getting 2 saves in 4 games with a 1.59 ERA and 0.882 WHIP until he ran into the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on 4/26 and gave up 5 hits and 3 ER in one inning.

Nick Zammarelli – The 23-year-old has nine extra base hits in 21 games hitting .354 with a .928 OPS in Modesto.

Joey Curletta – He has 3 HR while batting .321 with a 1.066 OPS for AA Arkansas.