Mariners Minor League Thread V.3

[A.Mopp]

Mayo just said Paxton might end up as a reliever. I've heard that another time too. I don't understand why they think that.

its because he has been slow to develop a third and fourth pitch. he has a heat and a nasty hook but that it

[FWBrodie]

Paxton pitching in AFL AS game video. Check the hook (1:05, 3:04).

[CamraMaan]

Did some long delayed maintenance on the first page... removed the hot/cold tags until real games start back up. Also added Gabriel Guerrero (Vlad's nephew)... didn't realize how much potential this kid actually has... he's certainly in the mix in the future OF options (he's still young). Might even be one of the front runners... I'll be keeping a close eye on him.

[FWBrodie]

CM is back on the saddle baby!

[FWBrodie]

Yeah I've heard very good things about Vlad's nephew.

[A.Mopp]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...pects-2012-13/

this got me nice and excited

[MattColby]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...pects-2012-13/

this got me nice and excited

Just shows Zs doing it right.

[jej]

Bobby Light gonna do you right.

[CamraMaan]

So I have to ask... with Ackley under-performing last year, and with the likes of Franklin, Miller and Romero in the wings, and Seager already up here with some success, when does it start to make sense to talk about Ackley potentially going back to his previous comfort zone, and a solid defensive placement, in LF...? Yes, he's been good at 2B defensively, but I'm willing to captain the ship that if he doesn't make strides offensively this year, and I mean more or less out of the gate, I think a move to LF might be warranted just to give him a mental break... get him back to his old role he knows so well. Kind of a change of pace and place to jump-start his bat. And of course that would have to be coupled with, most likely, a Franklin/Miller/Romero promotion to 2B, but because they deserve it. The other option would be Seager if we have a viable 3B option to promote.

[CamraMaan]

I'm stealing this from BA's top 10 spec page for the M's, and this is their 2016 lineup, except I changed a few (with their projected player in parentheses):

C Mike Zunino
1B Kendrys Morales (Justin Smoak)
2B Nick Franklin
3B Kyle Seager
SS Brad Miller
LF Dustin Ackley
CF Michael Saunders
RF Stefen Romero
DH Jesus Montero
No. 1 Starter Felix Hernandez
No. 2 Starter Taijuan Walker
No. 3 Starter Danny Hultzen
No. 4 Starter James Paxton
No. 5 Starter Victor Sanchez (Brandon Maurer)
Closer Carter Capps

Maybe its just me, but thinking of that group in 3 years, with 3 years of maturation under their belts... it gets me all excited. Time for some porn.

[jej]

I'm not sure that moving Ackley again will give him a mental break. I think he needs to just focus on hitting right now, and a position change won't help that.

I'd rather just move one of Miller/Franklin to left, whoever is worse at SS, which keeps changing. Miller has some paddles it seems, but has better range. Franklin makes the routine play, but doesn't get to as many.

[CamraMaan]

But that's the thing, its not like he'll be learning a new position. He's played LF most of his life. If anything we've taken some time away from his bat development because he's had to spend more time and focus on learning a new defensive position. And I'm not saying a permanent switch, per se, or even a full-time switch right off the bat... get him in the mix there a bit to start, and if he takes to it well then give him more time, or make it full-time. Its just to try and relax him and get his bat swinging right... sometimes you gotta mix things up to get someone out of a rut.

Besides, he's more of a natural LF option than the other SS/2B specs... makes more sense to move him than any of them.

[Ian.]

You absolutely do not move Ackley. He's a plus 2B. Move one of the other guys if you're doing anything.

I literally see no benefit moving him when you can move one of the prospects.

[jej]

Yeah, I would rather move one of the specs. Ackley is a great second baseman, whereas there are questions about both if the specs. Whoever is worse at SS goes to left.

[Seattle4Ever]

I agree with jej and Ian. Don't move Ackley. He has better value there. I'd rather have a big bat in LF if possible, or at the least Saunders.