| By Jason A. Churchill |  | By 07-06-2011 |
The Seattle Mariners farm system did something this week that I did not think was possible: They got more interesting.The club signed sixth-round pick James Zamarripa, a sturdily-built, left-handed hiting outfielder from Rancho Cucamonga, California, and he's been assigned to the Peoria roster in the Arizona Rookie League. But wait, there's more.
Felipe Burin, who just missed the cut in the Mid-season Top 30, was brought to the states this week and will debut for Peoria Wednesday night. He's 19, a switch hitter and will man mostly second base, though he will see some time at third base, too.
He was tearing up the Venezuelan Summer League, hitting .381/.460/.538 and profiles similarly to Albert Callaspo; a solid hit tool with gap power.
He's stronger from the left side than he is from the right -- which is better than the opposite -- and throws well, so playing third is not a problem defensively.
Bob Engle recently saw him in the VSL and recommended the club bring him stateside.
Update on Nick Franklin
Franklin was rehabbing from the bat-to-the-jaw incident when he fell ill, possibly food poisoning, setting him back a few days. He's likely to get back on the field early next week.
When I asked Player Development Director Pedro Grifol why Franklin was promoted despite less-than-stellar numbers in the California League, his answer was predictable, but you have to love this process.
"The coaches down there were telling us that he was putting together quality at-bats, and that's what we're looking for."
It was the same reason Dustin Ackley was sent from Double-A to Triple-A a year ago despite somewhat so-so statistics, and that's worked out just fine, don't you think?
Triunfel's future
Triunfel's "move" to second base after Franklin's promotion isn't necessarily a permanent one, Grifol said. The current plan is to play Tri at second base three times per week, then get him 2-3 games at third and a game or two at shortstop.
If he's to stick anywhere on the infield, however, the fundamental errors have to get cleaned up. Again, range is not an issue with Triunfel at any position.
Grifol on Pimentel
Guillermo Pimentel had a big day Tuesday, torching two homers and a double in four at-bats. He's not patient at this stage but it's easy to love the power.
"He has a lot of bat speed, the power is electric," Grifol said. "Good raw power; the bat gets through the zone really well."
The Mariners know well enough that the strikeouts are a bit high but they are working on the hit tool with Pimentel. In the meantime, enjoy the extra-base pop. Oh, and Pimentel may not be long for Pulaski.
Let's talk T-Walk
I had a conversation with a scout that covers the M's as part of his assignments and he saw Walker's last start and the one three starts ago. This is what he texted me:
"Kid can throw, man. Ball explodes out of his hand. Should get the right reactions on breaking stuff down the line. Mechanics still need work but the arm is working well and he covers the changeup (arm speed on change is good).
"I know our (area) guy loved him last year but I think it's safe to say Walker was underrated by some to fall to the 40s. Yes, he's raw, but he's more polished than I expected for all the talk. He's a potential No. 1."
He also noted, with some nice foul language, how good Walker's curveball can be.
The Mariners have no exact plan for Walker's ascent through the minors, nor when it comes to how much work Walker will get this season. But it appears very likely that he stays in Clinton until his season is over, likely sometime in August.
Yo, Vinny!
So many of you have asked about Vincent Catricala, a right-handed power hitter now in Double-A Jackson tearing it up in his first week of games. The M's believe he's their best right-handed hitting prospect. Between a few scouts, my own eye and Grifol's words, it seems we all agree that he has 25-plus homer pop.
He gets good loft, especially on balls up in the zone, but drives the ball regularly. He's made an adjustment in his swing and one in his overall approach that have brought out his natural plate discipline and pitch recognition, explaining his much-improved contact rates.
The M's would like him to stick at third and he will get the chance to do that, but he'll also get some time in left field, perhaps very soon. They don't want Catricala to get stuck at first base, and he's athletic enough to believe he can handle another position off of first.
For the record, he's better than Alex Liddi in all facets of the game at the same stage, though Liddi's hands have gotten so much better the past 18 months that he's now passable at third, though still not an everyday player at the hot corner on either side of things.
Ji-Man Choi
Choi is still recovering from a small fracture in his back that actually hindered him last summer, too, which is why he was playing first base so often. He's not ready to catch yet but the M's hope he can get some games in later this summer.
Whether or not he catches much this season remains to be seen, but if he doesn't it's more because of the nature of the injury than his ability.
Brandon Maurer
Maurer's stuff has been solid this season -- 90-94 mph fastball, touching 95, 45 slider that flashes average and above and a changeup. He's very aggressive -- fearless is the way Grifol put it -- but the club may back off the right-hander soon.
He pitched all winter (Australia) and is approaching 80 innings split between Class-A Clinton and High Desert. He's been strong early in his starts in the Cal League and has shown some fatigue thereafter, which is understandable.
The club may slide him into a relief role for awhile so he can continue to pitch without loading up on the innings.
Jose Valdivia
Valdivia's recovery from Tommy John surgery has been remarkable at this point, allowing four earned runs in 16 innings while compiling an impressive 18-4 strikeouts-to-walks ratio. Command and control is typically the last thing to come back and while the right-hander is still working on fastball command -- he's leaving some pitches up -- he's not having problems throwing strikes with his fastball, slurve and changeup.
Valdivia used to touch 96 mph with the heater, but his four-seamer is generally sitting 90-93 now, but he did touch 95 last time out -- Tuesday, in which he fanned seven and did not issue a walk.
Valdivia is going to move up in the next prospect rankings, which will be updated July 16, August 16 and September 16 before taking the winter off.
Alfredo Morales
I've talked about Morales a little bit this summer, but the club loves him. A colleague of mine at ESPN saw Morales in Arizona last week and thought he was the best player in the ballpark.
He's strong, will end up in a corner outfield spot despite playing center field now, has a 55 arm and an advanced approach at the plate. The swing is a bit long, but has good plane and he understands hitting.
Morales may get challenged later this month or in August with a promotion to Everett.
prospect-intel:-maurer,-valdivia,-catricala
Comments
The following 45 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: eknpdx on 07-06-2011 17:22:50 Thanks a bunch JAC. Regarding Vinny, I'm not clear if you are saying he's not an everyday player or that Liddi is not an everyday player. Also, what happened to Blash? Discplined, injured, demotion to Peoria? |
| 2. By: zackr on 07-06-2011 17:41:40 Hey J, great and exciting post here. As I'm sifting through it, what do you expect to see from Seager with the big club. Will he hit? |
| 3. By: Swervnburn on 07-06-2011 18:15:32 KJR just said that Kyle Seager was called up |
| 4. By: Missthosepilots on 07-06-2011 18:23:59 Thanks Swervnbum. I shall look forward to all comments on the youth movement. Great to see! http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2015528507_mariners_promote_third_baseman.html |
| 5. By: 01v-dubs on 07-06-2011 18:31:44 Good stuff Jason. Thanks especially for the update on Choi because it explains a lot, a fracture in the back can be very tricky to deal with. I really hope he can stick at C because it seems like he could be special. I saw Vinny in his Jr year at Hawaii, so I'm naturally a big fan of him. Hopefully he can stick at third, I remember him having very good reactions but questionable range. |
| 6. By: CyFelix on 07-06-2011 19:04:27 Jason, What do you mean by "Oh, and Pimentel may not be long for Pulaski." Are you saying he could get a promotion soon? The "Yo, Vinny" title, taken from Jersey Shore? |
| 7. By: 11records on 07-06-2011 20:21:54 Vinny made his 5th AA error in like 2 weeks of baseball. And, for some reason Carraway got yanked after 1 batter in the 2nd inning. Hopefully he's ok. |
| 8. By: rocketdawg31 on 07-06-2011 20:22:27 Great stuff, Jase. If it was up to me, I'd just stick Triunfel at third and say "you're a third baseman". That arm of his is just about his best physical asset, it should be put somewhere where it can be put to premium use. Looks like John Hicks has been signed and in the fold, Jason. Best catcher prospect in the org already, you think? |
| 9. By: Adam P. Boyd on 07-06-2011 20:38:30 Re 7: Carraway was ejected by the umpire. |
| 10. By: dewey on 07-06-2011 20:58:07 Off subject but im wondering who has the worst offense in baseball? S.F,S.D Oakland our the Mariners? I was wondering your thoughts jason and others? |
| 11. By: dawgncarolina on 07-06-2011 21:55:38 The Mariners have the worst offense. Pads and Giants get a pass because they don't get the benefit of the DH. |
| 12. By: dawgncarolina on 07-06-2011 21:59:50 Thanks for the stuff about Valdivia, Jason. Anything on Ambioris Hidalgo? |
| 13. By: Marlin Man on 07-06-2011 22:01:18 You seriously wonder WHO has the worst offense in baseball- man you must be kidding- stats don't tell it all- we are by far the best of the "worst"- |
| 14. By: dewey on 07-06-2011 22:26:41 Marlin im the furthest thing from a stat guy you will ever meet.It was a question relax . |
| 15. By: davelee99 on 07-06-2011 22:52:41 Can someone point me to a site that defines what is meant by "top of the rotation", "middle of the rotation" and so on. I understand the terms use the number of effective pitches a prospect has or needs? Thanks |
| 16. By: Adam P. Boyd on 07-06-2011 23:18:50 Doesn't take a "stat guy" to look at the Mariners page on ESPN and see "30" as their rank for every offensive category. Just sayin'. Davelee99 - A major league rotation has 5 pitchers, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - and they should ideally go from best (1) to worst (5). A top of the rotation prospect is a player who projects to be good enough to be considered a (1) or a (2). A middle of the rotation pitcher would be good enough to be considered the third or fourth best pitchers on a hypothetical league average pitching staff. Bottom of the rotation is a 4 or 5. Just think of it as a descending scale of talent - top of the rotation are the best pitchers, bottom are the worst. You project to be one or the other based on the quality of your pitches and the command/control of your pitches - at its most basic level. |
| 17. By: Buhner on 07-07-2011 00:26:44 Awesome article Jason. Much appreciated. |
| 18. By: Jason A. Churchill on 07-07-2011 02:42:20 You're welcome, Jay. Say hi to Leah for us. As for stats, the statistics don't take into effect the level of competition, ballparks and other factors. The only thing that matters is it's clear Seattle doesn't score enough runs and they aren't one Kyle Seager away from fixing that. |
| 19. By: 01v-dubs on 07-07-2011 08:54:24 Jason have the M's completely given up on Mangini at 3b? I know he played there last night, but to me I think you could make an argument that he would have been a better option to be called up then Seager. He has more experience then Seager, more power, and it seems like their hit tool is comparable. My only conclusion is that the M's must have been really uncomfortable with his defense at third, or they hope Seager continues his hot streak. |
| 20. By: Adam P. Boyd on 07-07-2011 09:03:50 Who would have guessed Catricala would be anything other than an org guy? Pretty good find in the 10th round. |
| 21. By: Lantermanc on 07-07-2011 09:49:25 Jason, when Beavan was called up you wrote a fantastic article about what to expect from him. Is there any way you think you can do the same for Seager? Even if it's just two paragraphs long? |
| 22. By: maqman on 07-07-2011 13:47:24 Solid input Jason, thanks. Was wondering when Felipe Burin was going to show up. He was raking in the summer league. I wonder how the M's found him in Brazil? He could be as good as Pimentel. Cat the Bat is another fave, and not just mine. He seems to be one of those guys who step up a level when their competition gets better, like Franklin. Wouldn't be shocked if one of them ends up in Tacoma before the year ends. |
| 23. By: Jason A. Churchill on 07-07-2011 13:56:18 Lantermanc, Will do, live from Cheney Stadium later this afternoon. dubs, Mangini isn't a 3B for me -- Liddi is better -- but I like Mangini's bat, despite the lack of power the first 70 games. |
| 24. By: Edman on 07-07-2011 14:48:38 I wonder if they've given any thought to making Mangini a leftfielder? There could be worse fates than to have a guy who could back-up at third and first, as well as play LF. They need bats desparately. Give up a little defense to gain some offense. |
| 25. By: rjfrik on 07-07-2011 15:08:49 It really does seem like they are trying to solve a lot of their batting issues internally. Which I'm fine with. Might as well see what you have down in AAA that can be a viable option for the big league club. When you run out the league worst offense you sort of have to. With that in mind I would love to see Jiminez come up and be the Left handed DH option. The guy rakes RHP and I think he could be a poor mans Big Pappi. Anyone else think that? Excited to see what Seager can do. |
| 26. By: slamcactus on 07-07-2011 15:22:42 "With that in mind I would love to see Jiminez come up and be the Left handed DH option. The guy rakes RHP and I think he could be a poor mans Big Pappi. Anyone else think that?" Depends how poor you're talking. 10 cents on the dollar? Sure. 80 cents? Hell no. 50 cents? Probably not. |
| 27. By: StandinPat on 07-07-2011 15:32:22 "I wonder if they've given any thought to making Mangini a leftfielder?" It seems like they have a couple of guys that really should be moved to a COF spot. For as much as the Ms front office likes their players getting experience at multiple spots, they don't seem to mix INF/OF all that much. "It really does seem like they are trying to solve a lot of their batting issues internally. Which I'm fine with." Especially when most of the external trade options are all average-ish bats at best. I find it hard to believe Seager couldn't have as much as an impact as say a Casey Blake, but he's free. |
| 28. By: slamcactus on 07-07-2011 17:05:37 "I find it hard to believe Seager couldn't have as much as an impact as say a Casey Blake, but he's free." Casey Blake is terminally underappreciated. Blake is an above-average bat with a decent glove (and for more statistically inclined folk, his play this year would put him on a 3.3-WAR pace over a full season). Seager could certainly match that level of production, but calling that his floor is either very, very optimistic about Seager or way underrating Blake. |
| 29. By: davelee99 on 07-07-2011 17:48:41 Adam -- thanks for the explanation, but I was looking for the metrics that describe _what_ pitches make up a number one. Is it two plus pitches and two average ones? or some other combination? and what combination of useful pitches best describes a middle of the rotation pitcher? I'm hoping there is a scouting site that describes the terminology... dave |
| 30. By: slamcactus on 07-07-2011 18:20:36 What you're looking for doesn't really exist, Dave. Calling somebody a #1 means you think there's a chance based on his stuff/pitchability that he'll become one of the very best pitchers alive. Generally it's reserved for guys with electric stuff who have an idea how to use it and a repertoire that will prevent them from being vulnerable to opposite-handed hitters. As a rule of thumb pulled out of my ass, if a guy's being touted as a potential future ace you're looking at two pitches with the potential to be plus-plus and a third plus offering, whose offspeed offerings have consistent break and who can command all of his pitches. If that sounds like a huge bar, that's because it is. And it's the reason why only a handful of pitching prospects get tagged with the "potential ace" label. Some guys differentiate between "#1" and "Ace," where a "#1" is one of the best 30 or so pitchers in the majors (as in, capable of being the best starter on a major league team) and an "ace" is a top-10 or so guy, but usually they're used interchangeably. |
| 31. By: slamcactus on 07-07-2011 18:25:04 Side note: BA released its mid-season top-50 today (which doesn't include recent draftees), and Walker was the lone Mariners representative on the list, clocking in at #38 (20th-ranked pitcher). |
| 32. By: davelee99 on 07-07-2011 18:27:24 Thanks Slam! I saw one post that described a middle of the road pitcher and used number of plus pitches and average pitches to justify the claim. I was hoping the scouting community had agreed on terminology that made it easier to understand the differences. But I sure can't find any mention of it and you've convinced me it doesn't exist. dave |
| 33. By: bunvt on 07-07-2011 18:32:19 There's no formula really Adam. My best advice for you- is to evaluate the best in the game- And break-down their offerings, that might help you create a definition of some sort for yourself? There's no specific formula, there's just too many variables. It would be an awesome/fun session if you could ever pick the brains of top flight MLB pitching coaches/scouts and ask them to create their idea of the perfect pitcher, body type and build and everything inbetween and maybe set some parameters, like only can have 3 pitches, and just tell them... GO~! I bet they would all have something different in mind, and somethings that they all 'might' agree on, like a power fastball to start with.... |
| 34. By: bunvt on 07-07-2011 18:33:03 I meant Dave, not Adam, (Sorry Adam). |
| 35. By: Adam P. Boyd on 07-07-2011 19:19:28 Yeah, there is no formula. Like I said, it is based on scouts' opinions of a guy's combination of stuff(quality of pitches)/control/command. And like bunvt said there may be a few standards like a #1 is going to typically, not always, have a "plus" fastball - IE 93-96 mph, and some sort of plus(a full grade better than average) secondary pitch and a third pitch that has a chance to be average or better. A good example would be Michael Pineda. There is no hard and fast rule or formula though, this is just a very general, generic, and haphazard definition. |
| 36. By: Edman on 07-07-2011 19:30:15 Off the wall thought......wouldn't it be interesting if in four years, the Mariners had six players from two Colleges? 2009 - NC Dustin Ackley Kyle Seager Brian Moran 2011 - Viginia Danny Hultzen John Hicks Steve Proscia Stranger things have happened. |
| 37. By: dawgncarolina on 07-07-2011 20:29:24 Taijuan Walker with 11 k's and 2 walks through 5 innings. Looks like he's bounced back from that rough patch. |
| 38. By: Blowgun7 on 07-07-2011 20:35:25 Walker having a big outing... Pimentel launced another bomb.. Catricale 2-2 with a 2B.. |
| 39. By: didycel on 07-07-2011 20:39:26 Dave, Slam, Baseball America actually describes a general formula for #1 starter #2 starter etc. From page 8 of 2011 BA Prospect Handbook as follows: No. 1 Starter: Two plus pitches, Average 3rd pitch, Plus-plus command, Plus makeup No. 2 Starter: Two plus pitches, Average 3rd pitch, Average command, Average makeup No. 3 Starter: One plus pitch, Two average pitches, Average command, Average makeup No 4-5 Starters: Command of two major league pitches, Average velocity, Consistent breaking ball, Decent changeup Closer: One dominant pitch, Second plus pitch, Plus command, Plus-plus makeup |
| 40. By: dawgncarolina on 07-07-2011 21:16:23 Pimentel with 2 HR's, giving him 5 in his last 10 at bats (over 4 games) |
| 41. By: davelee99 on 07-07-2011 21:39:33 didycel, Exactly what I was looking for. Although I now realize it's not universally accepted. it will help me sort prospects... Thanks. Dave |
| 42. By: StandinPat on 07-08-2011 00:33:55 "Blake is an above-average bat" I'd argue WAS not IS. He's roughly average, 37, RH and playing in the NL. I doubt he's average of better in the AL playing half his games at Safeco. "Seager could certainly match that level of production, but calling that his floor is either very, very optimistic about Seager or way underrating Blake." Obviously Seager could fall flat on his face, but surpassing Blake's .346 OBP and .386 SLG doesn't seem far fetched at all. #38 No offense, but that formula is pretty much meaningless. Just looking at the Ms rotation alone you have maybe one suitable fit for that criteria. Bedard kind of fits their formula for a #2, but Felix doesn't as a #1, Pineda, Fister and Vargas don't match any of the criteria on that list what so ever. I think it's a pretty strong over-simplification and totally negates the value of command, while minimizing the value of a true plus-plus pitch. |
| 43. By: slamcactus on 07-08-2011 10:00:52 "I'd argue WAS not IS." You'd argue wrong. His wRC+ is 108. Last year, his worst year since 2003, it slid all the way down to 95. "Obviously Seager could fall flat on his face, but surpassing Blake's .346 OBP and .386 SLG doesn't seem far fetched at all." Again, it's certainly possible, but talking about Casey Blake as a "Seager can be at least this good" kind of comparison is going a bit far afield. |
| 44. By: Slack on 07-08-2011 12:32:57 I have a question about Catricala. Does he have the bat speed to catch up to above average velocity? |
| 45. By: StandinPat on 07-08-2011 12:36:51 "You'd argue wrong. His wRC+ is 108. Last year, his worst year since 2003, it slid all the way down to 95." Isn't that the definition of average? Over his last 190 games, this year and last, his wRC+ is 98. That doesn't say "above-average bat" at all to me. In my original post, I likened him to an "average-ish bat," which is exactly what being a couple of runs below average one year, and a couple above the next would be. No player is gonna be right at wRC+ 100 year in and year out, there will always be some variation. Could he finish the year slightly above? Sure. Slightly below? Also yes. Again, that's the epitome of average. Blake certainly used to be an above average bat, but I'd be remiss to assume that sort of rebound out of a soon to be 38 yr old, who would be making a move to the AL and Safeco. For clarification, above average to me would be a year like his 04, 06, 08 and 09, and average would be 07 and so far in 11(though that's because offense is down league-wide). To me a wRC+ ~105 is basically an average season, it takes more than a handful of runs to be on that next tier. |
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