Another Thursday means yet another check in on the top prospects inside of the Mariners organization. Where last weeks seemed like a bit of a slump across the board, this week rings in great news and even a promotion. Let’s check in on the past week for the top 5 ranked players.
#1 Jarred Kelenic (Outfielder) – AAA Tacoma
AB-24 R-9 H-9 HR-13 RBI-8 BB-5 AVG-.375 (6/24-6/29 TAC)
Talk about a bounce back week for the #1 guy on this list. After hitting .230 last week, Kelenic had an average of .375 with 8 RBI this week. It is great to see the outfielder starting to look like his old self and show everyone why he is one of the most talked about minor leaguers in baseball.
The cherry on top of the performance was the news that Kelenic would be paying in the Futures Game in Colorado, an event that features the top prospects in the farm systems across baseball. He will be joined by two other players for the Mariners, but more on that later.
#2 Julio Rodriguez (Outfielder) – AA Arkansas
AB-9 R-1 H-2 HR-0 RBI-1 BB-0 AVG-.222 (6/29-6/30 ARK)
After helping the Dominican Republic qualify for this years Olympics, Julio Rodriguez came home to a promotion to AA Arkansas. In just two games with his new ballclub Rodriguez had 2 hits in 9 plate appearances, including an impressive infield single that showed off his speed.
As I’m sure you could have guessed, he will also be representing the M’s at the Futures Game and that could lead to our first look at Julio and Jarred in the same outfield.
#3 Emerson Hancock (RHP) – A+ Everett
IP-5.0 H-4 ER-2 BB-1 K-5 W (Last Start vs TRI 6/25)
Back-to-back wins for the top pitching prospect, as he went 5 innings only allowing 2 earned runs. These past two games started for Hancock have actually been the only two decisions he has factored in despite starting 7 games to date.
Let’s make it the three amigos, as Emerson will be representing in the Futures Game as the lone pitcher from the organization.
#4 George Kirby (RHP) – A+ Everett
IP-10.2 H-15 ER-6 BB-2 K-12 L (Last 2 Starts 6/20 6/26)
A loss and a no decision were the results for the newly official 4th ranked prospect. He now sits at a record of 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA and 31 strikeouts. Fun stat for Kirby is that he has only allowed one homerun in 49.2 innings pitched in the minors.
#5 Noelvi Marte (SS) – A Modesto
AB-29 R-8 H-8 HR-2 RBI-7 BB-2 AVG-.275 (6/24-7/1)
The good news, Marte is well on his way to being called up to Everett in the near future. The bad news, he has also been a name thrown around quite a bit with the trade deadline approaching. Many feel that with the emergence of JP Crawford at SS, that Noelvi could be used in a package to get a high end veteran on this roster. Only time will tell.
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Russell is the Content Director for the Eli Network. He studied broadcast journalism at Eastern Oregon and North Dakota State University. Mostly covers soccer and basketball in the Seattle area and is the current play-by-play voice for Seattle Redhawks basketball. You can follow him @brussbrwn.
