The Seattle Mariners announced a large group of players to Spring Training on Non Roster Invitations earlier this week, headlined by three young starting pitching prospects: Bryce Miller, Emerson Hancock, and Taylor Dollard. Those three might be in line to come up from the minor leagues and make starts in the Mariners rotation at some point during the season. All three pitched at Double-A last season, and could be summertime call-ups if they are pitching well and the M’s have a need.
The club also invited top catching prospect Harry Ford and right-hander Bryan Woo to Spring Training. To see the rest of the list click here.
Mariners 40-Man Roster Move
The Mariners DFA’d recent waiver claim J.B. Bukauskas to claim lefty Tyler Saucedo from the Toronto Blue Jays. Saucedo is a 6-foot-4 lefty who hasn’t had much success in his small big league sample size. He had a 2.25 ERA in 20 minor league innings last season. His arsenal is features a mid-90s fastball to go with a slider, curveball, and change up. The 29-year-old is probably on the fringes of the Mariners bullpen mix, and may not make it to Spring Training on the 40 man roster. Bukauskas just cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma, keeping him in the organization.
Mariners Minor League Transactions
Seattle announced minor league contracts with RHP Taylor Williams and INF Leonardo Rivas. Williams was a surprise success story in the shortened 2020 season, who was then traded for Matt Brash. Williams rejoined the organization last summer when he joined the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, and now probably starts the year there.
Mariners Draft Spotlight
The Mariners have drafted more prep pitchers in the last two drafts, so this weeks Mariners Draft Spotlight is high school left-handed pitcher Thomas White. He is a tall and lean 6-foot-5 left-hander who ranks as MLB Pipeline’s 19th best prospect in the upcoming draft. He has a big fastball that nears the high-90s, and has a developing curveball and change up.
Prospects Live says, “there are those that believe White is the best prep southpaw prospect available in any draft since Steve Avery was selected no. 3 overall in 1988. Better than Brien Taylor. Better than McKenzie Gore.” That is high praise for the 18-year-old Vanderbilt commit, but with three late first round picks in the July draft, the Mariners may select White with one of those picks.
Mariners Minor Leaguers in the News
Joe Doyle shared his top 50 Mariners prospects on the Prospect Insider website. Also check out his new podcast Over-Slot, where Joe Doyle dives deep into all things MLB Draft.
Luke Arkins has been writing about Jarred Kelenic and what his situation is heading into 2023.
Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto was on 710am Seattle Sports and spoke about Bryce Miller and Cade Marlowe being possible 2023 big league contributors.
Over at Locked On Mariners, Ty Dane Gonzalez and Colby Patnode ranked their top 30 Mariners Prospects this week on their Youtube channel.
Curtis Christianson
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