He will likely go back to triple-A to spread out the 2013 season and all eyes is going to be on his ability to control the strike zone. If he is able to iron out his i sues Bryan Witzmann Jersey , Hultzen might be ready for that majors around mid-2013. If everything clicks, Hultzen has got the ceiling of the No. 2 starter.
#4Nick Franklin (2B/SS) AgePAH2BHRBBSOSBAVGOBPSLGwOBA2162515538136012115.282.354.459.366
The best non-pitching prospect within the Mariners system, Franklin isnt overly physical but he has a stronger lower half and shows a wide, well-balanced base while at bat. The ball jumps off his bat, but Id like to see him hit fewer fly balls and much more line drives. He slugged 23 home runs in the A-ball level this year but is not a true home-run hitter and will likely pop 10-15 homers in the big league level with a large a sortment of two-baggers.
Franklin isnt as strong defensively as currently big league shortstop Brendan Ryan but he offers a lot more upside with the bat. The chance may ultimately push Ryan to a back-up role or send him on vacation. Franklin is reliable at shortstop, fielding everything hit to him, and it has good actions but both his range and arm are fringe-average for that position. Second base could po sibly be his best position but Dustin Ackley is much more secure in his job than Ryan.
A strong 2012 Arizona Fall League helped Franklin make up for a modest other half of the season in the triple-A level where he posted an 83 wRC+. Seattle will probably open the 2013 season with Brendan Ryan at shortstop but Franklin could leave the minors by mid-season.
#5James Paxton (P) AgeGGSIPHHRK/9BB/9ERAFIP232626119.011069.534.543.333.28
Paxton has a ceiling close to that of Danny Hultzen but he also struggles with his control, having walked 54 batters in 106.1 double-A innings in 2012. He shows above-average, easy fastball velocity for any southpaw and it has a tall, sturdy frame with a strong lower half and really should manage to providing a lot of innings like a No. 3 starter in the starting rotation. Also, he has a excellent curveball with plus potential and it has worked to enhance his changeup, which projects to develop into an average offering.
In watching Paxton pitch, I realized that he throws with a high-three-quarter delivery with deception. He keeps the ball hidden well and it has a distracting delivery thanks to lots of extranious arm movement. But he also doesnt po se s the most controlled delivery so its easy to understand why he struggles with both his command and control. Around the plus side, there isnt much effort to his delivery. He was quite slow and deliberate in the stretch with pronounced arm action. For that reason, I wouldnt be surprised to determine him struggle at holding runners in the big league level.
After a good double-A season in 2012, Paxton made another five starts in the Arizona Fall League with modest results. He ought to be ready for that triple-A test in 2013 but tend to see major league action in the second half of the year.
#6Carter Capps (P) AgeGGSIPK/9BB/9GB%ERAFIPWAR2118025.010.083.9640.6 %3.962.170.5
Capps was utterly dominating as he left the bullpen at the MLB level in 2012. He was hitting 98-99 mph with late movement in October. Along with his fastball, Capps also po se ses an average slider along with a changeup that he rarely throws. He has a strong, durable frame and throws having a three-quarter arm slot. There isn't a ton of effort in the delivery considering how hard he throws.
Capps, 22, works in the zone more than Id like and that he also gets hit rather hard at times posting a line-drive rate in exce s of 27% within the majors likely due to his lack of reliable secondary pitches. His control happens to be better than his command.
A former supplemental third round pick out of the division II college in 2011, Capps zoomed with the minors and reached the majors in the first full season. The right-hander should have an area in the Mariners bullpen to spread out 2013. He's the potential to develop into a high-leverage reliever and could accrue saves in Seattle for years to come.
#7Brandon Maurer (P) AgeGGSIPHHRK/9BB/9ERAFIP212424137.213347.653.143.203.05
Maurer improved his stock much more than every other pitcher on the Top 15 list between 2011 and 2012. Prior to this past year, he'd never made more than 13 starts inside a season during his four-year career and saw his innings almost double from 79.1 to 137.2 in the last two seasons. A big, strong-bodied right-hander, Maurer will appear to put his checkered injury history behind him as he looks to construct on his breakout performance with a promotion to triple-A to spread out 2013.
The former 23rd round draft pick should settle in nicely at the big league level as a No. 3 or 4 starter. He features a four-pitch mix, with a fastball that actually works in the low 90s and may hit the mid-90s. He also has a curveball, slider, and changeup. His slider has plus potential while his changeup needs to most polish. Maurer can develop both above-average command and above-average charge of his repertoire but is a little behind the eight-ball because of all of the mi sed time.
When I saw Maurer pitch he flashed all his secondary pitches and set them up well by establishing his fastball at the start of the count. With a three-quarter delivery, the right-hander pounded the low half of the strike zone but got hit hard when he elevated the ball. He was able to get swings and mi ses on his breaking stuff. He worked quickly but was falling forward ahead of his arm at times.
#8Brad Miller (SS) AgePAH2BHRBBSOSBAVGOBPSLGwOBA2264318540157410523.332.408.510.406
A left-handed hitting shortstop having a plus hit tool and average power is extrememly valuable. Miller, 23, would be a second round draft pick out of Clemson University this year and that he reached double-A in only his first full pro season.
A .341 career hitter, the infielder has enjoyed playing in certain favorable hitting environments, which may have skewed his numbers to a degree, but he's shown Daniel Munyer Jersey the opportunity to control the strike zone quite well. His low-maintenance approach at the plate and swing give hope that hell maintain his offensive succe s as he rises the ladder. A contact I spoken with about Miller said he's not been surprised with the shortstops succe s in pro ball because hes a tough worker and focused on his craft. As a hitter he's very good hand-eye coordination, the talent evaluator said. He just needs to get stronger and gain in experience.
The big question with Miller is whether or not hell be able to stick at shortstop. He's athletic and shows good fielding actions but his throwing results in numerous errors. He might end up at either third base or shortstop, but could offer enough offense for either position even if his power isn't quite ideal for the hot corner. Miller hit perfectly in 40 double-A games in 2012 but tend to return there to start the approaching season. If he continues to swing the bat like he has, he could reach Seattle after 2013. A glut of infielders in the upper quantity of a system and majors, though, could slow down his timetable.
#9Stefen Romero (2B) AgePAH2BHRBBSOSBAVGOBPSLGwOBA235641823625288212.351.390.592.428
Ill be honest: Initially when i first started following Romeros 2012 season I thought it was a fluke due to the hitting environment within the California League. However, he never stopped hitting despite a campaign to double-A (.347 average) after which on in to the Arizona Fall League (.333). Recently i asked a talent evaluator concerning the prospect and he said, Stefen Romero is simply a solid player, a really advanced hitter. He just must continue to play games to continue to progre s.
When I saw him play, he showed solid bat speed along with a very nice level swing. He had a straight-away stance while at bat with a wide base. The opposition was pitching him in on the inner half of the plate but he did a pleasant job of awaiting his pitch to be released within the heart. He doesnt use his legs much in the swing but has very quick hips which help generate his above-average power.
The big question with Romero is: Where's he going to play on the area? Hes played mostly second base as a pro, although hes also dabbled at third base and in left field. Hell probably never be a great second baseman not even average but his bat should still carry him. What about a super-sub role, similar to former Oakland As player Tony Phillips, is in his future.
#10Victor Sanchez (P) AgeGGSIPHHRK/9BB/9ERAFIP17151585.06957.312.863.183.65
Sanchez, arguably the top international arm obtainable in 2011, is really a ma sive man-child who already tips the scale at greater than 250 lbs (Hes only 6-feet tall). The right-hander has an advanced approach and feel for pitching, posting a stroll rate of just 2.86 BB/9 throughout his pro debut against competition older than himself. His strikeout rate was modest in part while he has yet to develop a reliable breaking ball but he po se ses a handful of impre sive weapons. As a talent evaluator stated, He has excellent fastball and it has a feel for his off-speed, as well, that is pretty uncommon for a kid Parker Ehinger Jersey so young. Sanchez should open the 2013 season entirely season ball and can probably spend the entire year there. His ceiling is immense also it would be tempting to accelerate his timetable but there's a lot of pitching depth in front of him.
#11Patrick Kivlehan (3B) AgePAH2BHRBBSOSBAVGOBPSLGwOBA22316851712199314.301.373.511.410
A fourth-round selection out of Rutgers University in 2012, Kivlehan has impre sed the Mariners front office with his potential. The infielder may have more upside compared to typical 22-year-old college senior because he focused primary on football during his collegiate career and didn't play baseball until this past season. Despite his inexperience in the game, Kivlehans athleticism helps him flourish in the bowels from the minor league system.
He posted a 152 wRC+ with above-average power output in 72 games. Around the down side, the New York state native is very aggre sive at the plate and needs time for you to improve his pitch recognition and learn how you can identify and wait for his pitch. He struck out at a rate of 29% with a walk rate of just 6%. Kivlehan is extremely raw in the field and may not have acce s to enough development time for you to play catchup (because his bat is more advanced, and the age is not on his side), which could create a position switch. Because of his raw edges, he could open 2013 at Clinton within the Midwest League with a quick promotion towards the high-A California League in your mind.
#12Gabriel Guerrero (OF) AgePAH2BHRBBSOSBAVGOBPSLGwOBA1830596141524414.349.393.593.450
Youre going to get some pre s when your uncle is Vladimir Guerrero but with Gabriel the attention is warranted for their own abilities on the field. Hes raw but projectable and should add strength to his slender frame, which could help his power blo som. He already shows a fast bat and makes solid contact. Like his uncle, the young hitter is aggre sive although not towards the same crazy degree. The 19-year-old prospect opened the 2012 season within the Dominican Summer League and hit .355 with 11 home runs. That earned him a late promotion to the Arizona League for his first taste of North American ball. He again hit greater than .300 and added four long balls in 18 games. Guerrero wont reach Seattle in the near future but his ceiling is probably greater than any bat within the system.
#13Tyler Pike (P) AgeGGSIPHHRK/9BB/9ERAFIP18111150.234110.133.731.782.75
A projection select from the 2012 amateur draft, Pike was signed away from a commitment to Florida State University. The 18-year-old southpaw showed a little more polish than expected as he posted single.78 ERA and allowed just 34 hits in 50.2 rookie ball innings. He struck out 57 batters but walked 21. Pike, a Florida native, will need to improve both his command and control because he rises the ladder. His repertoire features a high-80s fastball, curveball and changeup. He currently projects to develop into a No. 4 starter.
#14Stephen Pryor (P) AgeGGSIPK/9BB/9GB%ERAFIPWAR2226023.010.575.0937.1 %3.915.27-0.3
Pryor, 23, is another hard-throwing reliever that debuted with the Seattle Mariners in 2012. He doesnt have a similar easy velocity that Carter Capps po se ses, and his delivery is also not as fluid or easy. He's a strong frame and really should be durable. His control has fluctuated throughout his career and needs polishing before he realizes his potential.Pryor reached the majors in just his third pro season. He played at four levels and could open 2013 with Seattle as a middle reliever. Eventually, he must have the ceiling of an eighth-inning reliever.
#15Timmy Lopes (2B) AgePAH2BHRBBSOSBAVGOBPSLGwOBA182567111024307.313.375.476.385
Lopes, 18, showed some late advancement in high school, which convinced the Mariners to sign him away from dedication to UC Irvine. The middle infielder immediately took to pro ball and hit greater than .300 with gap power in rookie ball. A me sage I spoken with was not surprised at his early succe s. I would think having older brother (Christian Lopes, 2011 7th rounder) who just went through al large amount of exactly the same things has helped him with the transition. Both brothers have a shot at developing into an everyday second baseman at the big league level with Timmy getting the higher ceiling.
Originally a shortstop in senior high school, Lopes moved to second base like a pro, although he did appear in seven games at his natural position. His defense at second base is very good, the contact said, although cautioning:. [He] will have to still work on every aspect of his game. Lopes shows good actions in the field and solid range but his arm strength is below average for a shortstop. The organization gave him a vote of confidence at the end of the standard season by permitting the California indigenous to come in four games in high-A ball. He should open 2013 in full-season ball, although likely in Clinton.