Baseball Prospectus 1996
Long way to go for that joke. On to the Mariners. The Mariners probably have the widest variance among the quality of their players than any team in baseball. They've got the best position player in the AL, not to mention it's most dominating pitcher, and yet they manage to flounder about, unable to build a consistent winner, and generally have played mediocre, boring baseball. I'm loathe to use the term underachiever, because it's such an unfair label, but this organization has earned it.
How? Has there been a dearth of talent? Not really Mariner products include Alvin Davis, Phil Bradley, Danny Tartabull, Ken Phelps, Bill Swift, Erik Hanson and Bret Boone. The list is fairly extensive. But why haven't they won? For one reason, they've traded some of these guys away early in their careers, often for no good reason. Can any Seattle fan do a good job of explaining the Bret Boone trade? "Sure Lou Piniella didn't like him." Wait a minute we may be on to something here.
In 1995, the Mariners suffered a major injury to Ken Griffey, and replaced him primarily by throwing the execrable Alex Diaz out there. Then they flanked him with the speedy yet useless Vince Coleman, while Warren Newson languished on the bench with a .400 OBP. Lou Piniella, in his infinite wisdom, threw Felix Fermin and Luis Sojo out to shortstop 120 times, while letting Alex Rodriguez gather dust on the bench. The only AL shortstop clearly better than Rodriguez at this point is John Valentin, and if there's one that's clearly worse than Felix Fermin, he's probably an invertebrate.
Why should Mariner fans care? We made the playoffs, beat the Yankees, and then got beaten by an unstoppable Cleveland team. All in all, a good year. Listen, friends, if Piniella had just put Newson in left instead of Coleman, and let Rodriguez play 120 games at short, there wouldn't have been a race in the AL West. The Mariners would have locked the title up with a week to go, and could have rested their only starting pitcher adequately for the postseason.
If your manager has shown no ability to either recognize or utilize talent, you should worry. You might be able to get around that, if you've got no other significant problems. But wait the Mariners seem to have added a special assistant to the GM, and they're paying him $8.5 million per year for 1997-2000. That's right, folks. Not only can Griffey crush the ball, he makes a great director of player personnel, too. I don't know why Mariner fans haven't gotten more upset about this, but Griffey pressured the front office into re-signing Jay Buhner for more than he's worth, and made noises about wanting his brother, an absolutely awful ballplayer, to get major league playing time in order to show what he can do. This isn't just collusion, gang. It's an indication of an organization in serious disarray. Buhner isn't a bad guy to retain, and Craig Griffey's so bad that no one would ever confuse him with a ballplayer, so it's no big deal this time. But what if Griffey wants a 36-year-old Edgar Martinez to get a four-year extension or something? This is dangerous.
Of course, when your management team includes Lou Piniella, the meddling of one ballplayer isn't your biggest concern. To say that Piniella is moody is like saying the surface of the sun is "toasty." At a whim, talented ballplayers are sent away in exchange for some colored baubles, and God forbid that a player younger than 29 should get playing time, particularly in a "key" position, whatever that is. Piniella has a place as a manager, but it shouldn't be in Seattle, where the farm system is churning out top-flight middle infielders faster than County Mayo is churning out peat. As long as Piniella can come close to defending the decision of Luis Sojo, Felix Fermin, Joey Cora, or J. Fred Muggs getting playing time over the likes of Pozo, Relaford, or Rodriguez, he's going to try it. It's age before beauty in Piniella's lineups, and the record is going to suffer for it.
The Seattle Mariners have the best talent in the division. Easily. If Piniella and the "brain"trust in Seattle choose to put their best guys in uniform, and give them the bulk of playing time, no one in the division can keep up. Is this likely to happen? Well, my pick for the AL West is Oakland. Instead of giving playing time to youngsters from within the system, or acquiring players like Matt Stairs and Warren Newson, this organization is doing things like signing Luis Polonia.
Who's going to pitch for this team? Apparently, it's going to be Randy Johnson, Sterling Hitchcock, and a melange of Salomon Torres, Bob Wolcott, and anyone who throws three consecutive innings of shutout ball in Tacoma. It's only a matter of time until Lee Guetterman and Tony Fossas walk beneath the glorious Dome of Kings. It's as if Coleridge had once visited here.
RICH AMARAL 1962 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CLG 331 94 15 1 3 40 22 6 .284 .361 .363 .267 88 45 1992 CLG 386 103 15 4 2 53 38 11 .267 .355 .342 .261 101 51 1992 SEA 100 25 3 0 1 5 4 2 .250 .286 .310 .214 21 8 1993 SEA 371 110 20 1 1 31 24 10 .296 .351 .364 .261 97 47 1994 CLG 53 14 4 0 0 3 2 0 .264 .304 .340 .237 13 5 1994 SEA 224 58 9 2 2 21 6 1 .259 .322 .344 .242 54 24 1995 SEA 236 67 11 2 1 18 27 2 .284 .335 .360 .269 63 32 1996 PRJ 264 69 10 1 1 31 17 5 .261 .339 .318 .245 65 30
JAMES BONNICI 1972 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 BLN 172 33 2 1 2 13 2 1 .192 .249 .250 .166 29 8 1993 RIV 371 94 10 1 6 36 0 0 .253 .319 .334 .232 86 36 1994 RIV 401 98 14 1 7 43 1 1 .244 .318 .337 .232 93 39 1995 PCY 524 150 26 2 17 67 2 1 .286 .367 .441 .283 148 80First baseman who may fill Tino Martinez's shoes. Took a big step up last year, as often happens at age 23. If he maintains the jump, and his glove is as good as it's reputation, he could make a lot of money playing first base in the majors. Big guy build reminds me of Belle or Canseco. Walk rates and power are going up. Keep an eye out.
DARREN BRAGG 1970 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PEN 246 47 7 0 3 50 12 5 .191 .328 .256 .215 53 22 1992 PEN 448 106 14 2 6 83 28 12 .237 .356 .317 .248 111 54 1993 JAX 456 108 16 1 9 67 15 7 .237 .335 .336 .241 110 51 1994 CLG 470 135 17 2 11 55 25 9 .287 .362 .402 .274 129 68 1995 TAC 211 62 9 2 4 20 11 3 .294 .355 .412 .276 58 30 1995 SEA 144 34 5 1 2 16 11 0 .236 .312 .326 .244 35 16 1996 PRJ 378 97 22 4 8 53 18 4 .257 .348 .399 .269 102 54Probably a better choice for CF than Griffey. Deserves a shot at playing full time, but is unlikely to get it. Lou Piniella certainly hasn't demonstrated that he can either recognize or utilize talent, at least not in the Pacific Northwest. Luis Polonia may win the starting job.
JAY BUHNER 1965 RF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SEA 407 105 17 4 27 52 0 1 .258 .342 .518 .289 118 68 1992 SEA 545 139 16 4 26 69 1 5 .255 .339 .442 .268 146 76 1993 SEA 559 158 26 3 26 96 3 5 .283 .388 .479 .298 166 98 1994 SEA 349 96 19 4 17 61 0 1 .275 .383 .499 .301 105 63 1995 SEA 465 124 23 2 35 54 0 1 .267 .343 .551 .298 138 83 1996 PRJ 561 153 22 1 29 69 0 0 .273 .352 .471 .284 160 88Love the hairstyle. Good slugger, poor defensive outfielder with a great arm. Contributes significantly to one of the biggest gaps in the history of baseball right-center in the Kingdome. "Griffey and Buhner are after it they won't get it!"
MIGUEL CAIRO 1974 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 VRO 127 22 2 0 0 10 3 1 .173 .234 .189 .127 16 3 1993 VRO 339 86 7 1 2 19 13 7 .254 .293 .298 .213 72 27 1994 BAK 529 125 12 2 2 21 26 13 .236 .265 .278 .195 103 35 1995 SAN 437 111 11 1 2 19 30 11 .254 .285 .297 .216 94 36
VINCE COLEMAN 1962 LF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 NYM 283 77 8 5 1 39 35 12 .272 .360 .346 .265 75 39 1992 NYM 235 73 12 1 3 30 26 9 .311 .389 .409 .290 68 39 1993 NYM 373 105 13 6 2 22 41 13 .282 .322 .365 .256 95 46 1994 KCR 432 98 10 9 1 23 56 9 .227 .266 .299 .223 97 40 1995 OMA 37 13 1 0 1 2 3 0 .351 .385 .459 .312 12 7 1995 KCR 292 87 12 3 3 23 34 11 .298 .349 .390 .273 80 42 1995 SEA 161 47 6 2 1 8 21 9 .292 .325 .373 .257 41 21 1996 PRJ 256 71 9 3 0 17 4 6 .277 .322 .336 .262 67 33Poster boy for lazy media and foolish management. Not a good leadoff hitter, a lousy outfielder, but he can still run. If Piniella had given the left field job to Newson and left him there, there wouldn't have been a one game playoff with Gene Mauch's Lean, Mean Choking Machine II. Fighting for a job with the Reds.
JOEY CORA 1965 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CWS 229 58 3 2 0 19 14 6 .253 .310 .284 .220 50 20 1992 CWS 124 34 5 2 0 21 11 3 .274 .379 .347 .272 34 18 1993 CWS 576 159 12 12 2 63 24 7 .276 .347 .349 .255 147 69 1994 CWS 309 87 10 3 1 34 10 5 .282 .353 .343 .252 78 36 1995 SEA 422 128 13 1 2 32 24 9 .303 .352 .353 .259 109 52 1996 PRJ 409 111 10 3 4 41 20 8 .271 .338 .340 .248 101 47A generic Major League Second Baseman [tm].
MANNY CORA 1974 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 CSC 461 87 2 2 1 17 6 6 .189 .218 .208 .121 56 10 1993 WLO 74 20 1 0 1 3 1 0 .270 .299 .324 .225 17 6 1994 RIV 410 106 8 4 1 10 5 3 .259 .276 .305 .205 84 29 1995 PCY 264 57 4 2 1 7 2 4 .216 .236 .258 .160 42 11
RUSSELL DAVIS 1970 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 ABY 483 99 17 1 8 34 2 0 .205 .257 .294 .189 91 30 1992 ABY 508 146 14 2 22 41 3 2 .287 .341 .453 .276 140 73 1993 COH 426 106 15 1 20 36 1 1 .249 .307 .430 .255 109 53 1994 COH 417 110 18 2 19 54 4 6 .264 .348 .453 .274 114 62 1995 NYY 97 27 3 2 2 9 0 0 .278 .340 .412 .264 26 13 1996 PRJ 553 150 23 2 19 48 4 3 .271 .329 .423 .263 146 72A very reasonable prospect, but not a lot of star potential. Could pop 30 or so homers for a couple-three years, and peak at .290/.380/.525 or so. That'll help any team, and his glovework has supposedly improved quite a bit.
ALEX DIAZ 1969 CF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 IND 373 87 11 2 2 19 14 2 .233 .270 .290 .204 76 27 1992 DEN 446 104 9 3 1 20 37 8 .233 .266 .274 .205 92 33 1993 NWO 55 15 1 0 0 3 7 0 .273 .310 .291 .246 14 6 1993 MIL 68 22 2 0 0 0 6 3 .324 .324 .353 .248 17 8 1994 MIL 185 46 3 5 1 7 6 6 .249 .276 .335 .213 39 15 1995 TAC 40 9 1 0 0 2 1 2 .225 .262 .250 .166 7 2 1995 SEA 269 68 7 1 3 9 24 10 .253 .277 .320 .221 59 24 1996 PRJ 302 79 8 4 1 12 30 11 .262 .290 .325 .231 70 30Quiz Time! OK, kiddies: Alex Diaz grabbed 292 Plate Appearances last year, most while Ken Griffey was nursing his unfortunate injury. The quiz question is: Why? He can't hit, as he's demonstrated on several occasions. In center field, he's even worse than Griffey, posting a meager 2.50 Range Factor, and he's no great shakes on the basepaths. Considering that Seattle had Bragg and Newson ready to play, why waste the playing time on a stiff like this?
EDDY DIAZ 1972 2B/SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 BLN 251 52 5 1 2 10 3 1 .207 .238 .259 .166 42 11 1992 SBR 431 94 9 1 6 19 16 7 .218 .251 .285 .189 82 27 1993 APP 188 50 7 1 2 10 7 4 .266 .303 .346 .231 43 18 1993 JAX 259 58 9 0 5 14 5 2 .224 .264 .317 .204 53 19 1994 JAX 341 76 8 1 7 19 9 3 .223 .264 .314 .205 70 25 1995 PCY 431 112 12 1 14 34 8 5 .260 .314 .390 .247 107 49 1995 TAC 36 12 1 0 0 3 0 0 .333 .385 .361 .272 10 5
FELIX FERMIN 1964 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CLE 428 121 9 3 0 24 7 4 .283 .321 .318 .230 98 40 1992 CLE 214 59 5 2 1 17 0 0 .276 .329 .332 .237 51 21 1993 CLE 483 136 13 2 2 20 6 5 .282 .310 .329 .228 110 44 1994 SEA 373 117 7 0 2 7 5 5 .314 .326 .349 .241 90 37 1995 SEA 200 41 3 0 0 4 3 0 .205 .221 .220 .138 28 6 1996 PRJ 241 60 6 0 1 9 0 0 .249 .276 .286 .197 47 16Another inexplicable playing time decision, especially with Alex Rodriguez in the same time zone. I can only conclude that Fermin has some very compromising photos of Lou Piniella somewhere.
CHARLES GIPSON 1973 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 APP 353 68 7 1 0 44 10 7 .193 .282 .218 .172 61 18 1994 RIV 486 120 9 2 0 57 20 9 .247 .326 .274 .220 107 43 1995 PCY 399 85 7 2 0 25 9 8 .213 .259 .241 .168 67 19
CRAIG GRIFFEY 1971 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 BLN 224 40 4 1 0 12 5 3 .179 .220 .205 .126 28 5 1993 APP 103 21 2 0 2 8 5 2 .204 .261 .282 .194 20 7 1993 RIV 191 38 3 2 2 9 5 1 .199 .235 .267 .173 33 10 1994 JAX 330 64 6 1 3 29 14 6 .194 .259 .245 .177 58 18 1995 PCY 308 54 6 1 1 40 10 2 .175 .270 .211 .167 51 15 1996 PRJ 404 77 7 2 3 35 14 5 .191 .255 .240 .172 70 20Ken Griffey made some noise about wanting to see the Mariners give his brother a shot, just to see what he can do with the playing time. Well, Ken, ahem, pardon me for saying so, but I think Craig's already made that plenty clear. Instead of worrying about Craig, I'd contact the MLBPA and ask for a textbook definition of "collusion."
KEN GRIFFEY JR 1970 CF, but shouldn't be there. YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SEA 550 188 34 2 24 70 23 6 .342 .416 .542 .330 182 115 1992 SEA 567 183 36 5 29 42 11 5 .323 .369 .557 .313 177 107 1993 SEA 577 184 36 3 44 92 21 8 .319 .413 .620 .341 197 136 1994 SEA 422 134 22 4 32 50 13 3 .318 .390 .616 .334 141 94 1995 SEA 256 67 8 1 14 48 5 2 .262 .378 .465 .292 75 44 1996 PRJ 582 196 42 6 44 83 11 5 .337 .420 .656 .352 205 144A truly great ballplayer, but a lousy defensive CF, despite his reputation. Should be in LF or RF. Three years younger than Bob Hamelin. Probably the only player with a chance to break Aaron's HR record, and he's still a long shot. Could have been playing in the majors since about his sophomore year in high school. He may regret his desire to keep Jay Buhner in town for such a long period of time. Deserves to play under natural light, instead of in the Kingtomb.
MIKE HICKEY 1970 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 BLN 58 10 2 0 0 2 1 0 .172 .200 .207 .113 7 1 1993 APP 257 59 6 1 2 27 7 4 .230 .303 .284 .210 54 20 1994 RIV 492 121 13 4 7 50 10 5 .246 .315 .331 .231 114 48 1995 PCY 460 119 18 1 5 52 5 2 .259 .334 .335 .240 110 48
CHRIS HOWARD 1966 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CLG 286 58 6 1 6 11 1 1 .203 .232 .294 .176 50 15 1992 CLG 313 64 6 0 8 8 3 5 .204 .224 .300 .174 54 16 1993 CLG 317 83 8 1 5 17 1 3 .262 .299 .341 .224 71 28 1994 CLG 256 53 4 0 7 23 1 0 .207 .272 .305 .200 51 18 1995 TAC 267 62 6 0 5 16 0 1 .232 .276 .311 .203 54 19
GREG LITTON 1965 UTIL YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PHX 26 10 2 0 2 6 0 0 .385 .500 .692 .395 10 8 1991 SFG 130 27 8 1 1 11 0 2 .208 .270 .308 .194 25 9 1992 PHX 84 24 3 0 4 6 0 1 .286 .333 .464 .272 23 12 1992 SFG 142 36 4 0 5 12 0 1 .254 .312 .387 .243 34 16 1993 CLG 162 43 10 1 4 20 2 1 .265 .346 .414 .267 43 22 1993 SEA 173 54 13 1 3 17 0 1 .312 .374 .451 .287 50 27 1994 PAW 255 64 14 1 6 21 2 1 .251 .308 .384 .243 62 28 1995 TAC 386 116 15 1 9 38 2 2 .301 .363 .415 .275 106 54
EDGAR MARTINEZ 1963 DH/3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SEA 546 177 29 2 15 83 0 3 .324 .413 .467 .308 168 98 1992 SEA 530 190 42 4 20 52 15 4 .358 .416 .566 .336 178 112 1993 SEA 134 33 7 0 4 27 0 0 .246 .373 .388 .270 36 19 1994 SEA 318 89 16 1 11 48 7 2 .280 .374 .440 .287 91 51 1995 SEA 496 179 38 2 26 108 5 4 .361 .475 .603 .364 180 128 1996 PRJ 547 170 37 0 23 113 3 1 .311 .429 .505 .324 177 113What a truly magnificent hitter. Jim Presley's tenure in Seattle probably cost him a year of playing time. Hits for average, power, draws walks, and looks a lot like Michael Palin when he stands in the plate. 33 years old next year, but he'll have a job and be productive for another five years. Probably will see a lot of time at first over the next few years.
JOHN MARZANO 1963 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 BOS 114 31 8 0 0 1 0 0 .272 .278 .342 .219 25 9 1992 PAW 62 17 2 0 1 3 0 0 .274 .308 .355 .235 15 6 1992 BOS 50 4 2 1 0 2 0 0 .080 .115 .160 **** -7 -2 1994 SWB 281 54 11 2 1 20 2 2 .192 .246 .256 .165 47 13 1995 OKL 424 125 28 2 8 32 4 4 .295 .344 .427 .270 114 57Refugee from the Boston organization. At one point, could have developed into a player, but the Red Sox were too busy running Marc "Thanks, Grandpa" Sullivan out there.
J.D. NOLAND 1969 DH/OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 HDS 491 106 12 5 4 47 37 12 .216 .284 .285 .212 104 41 1992 WIC 461 116 15 3 6 32 33 15 .252 .300 .336 .232 107 46 1994 NHV 213 55 4 2 2 14 17 5 .258 .304 .324 .235 50 22 1994 CSP 201 55 8 1 1 7 10 6 .274 .298 .338 .228 46 19 1995 TAC 249 65 6 2 5 12 15 6 .261 .295 .361 .237 59 26
JULIO PEGUERO 1969 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SWB 503 124 16 6 2 27 20 10 .247 .285 .314 .215 108 42 1992 ABQ 74 17 2 0 1 10 1 1 .230 .321 .297 .219 16 7 1992 SWB 288 65 8 2 1 21 13 12 .226 .278 .278 .194 56 19 1993 CAN 179 37 3 3 1 13 3 1 .207 .260 .274 .185 33 11 1994 RIV 99 32 2 1 1 8 2 2 .323 .374 .394 .272 27 13 1995 PCY 261 80 9 1 3 14 11 6 .307 .342 .383 .260 68 32
STEVE PEGUES 1968 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 LON 215 55 2 1 5 3 3 4 .256 .266 .344 .212 45 17 1991 TOL 221 47 8 2 4 0 9 4 .213 .213 .321 .187 41 14 1992 LVG 368 85 12 2 9 2 9 2 .231 .235 .348 .206 76 27 1993 LVG 255 73 11 2 6 4 9 4 .286 .297 .416 .252 64 30 1994 IND 243 69 11 7 6 5 11 3 .284 .298 .461 .267 65 33 1995 PIT 170 42 7 0 5 4 1 2 .247 .264 .376 .221 38 15Note the lofty walk rate. Pegues has 102 unintentional walks in his entire career, comprising just over 900 games. Organizations could have saved themselves a lot of time and money if they had just bought him a copy of Ted Williams' The Science of Hitting about eight years ago. The real question: why give this guy 175 plate appearances at the major league level? What else does he have to do to demonstrate to you that he can't help your club? Moon the equipment guy?
GREG PIRKL 1971 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PEN 241 55 8 0 5 3 0 0 .228 .238 .324 .192 46 15 1991 SBR 237 64 7 1 8 2 2 0 .270 .276 .409 .241 57 25 1992 JAX 229 64 7 1 8 8 0 0 .279 .304 .424 .254 58 27 1992 CLG 279 64 14 1 6 9 3 2 .229 .253 .351 .210 59 22 1993 CLG 428 111 10 1 14 8 3 2 .259 .273 .386 .230 99 41 1994 CLG 336 90 9 1 14 19 1 1 .268 .307 .426 .255 86 40 1994 SEA 53 14 4 0 5 0 0 0 .264 .264 .623 .290 15 9 1995 TAC 173 51 7 1 12 12 1 1 .295 .341 .555 .300 52 30 1996 PRJ 262 71 8 1 12 10 1 1 .271 .298 .447 .258 68 32One of many behemoths populating the minor leagues, not drawing walks, hitting for low averages, and occasionally hitting a 470 foot HR. Kind of like Dave Kingman, but less likely to leave a rodent for Susan Fornoff.
ARQUIMEDEZ POZO 1974 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 BLN 152 39 3 0 4 11 4 3 .257 .307 .355 .234 36 15 1992 SBR 197 41 4 1 3 11 7 4 .208 .250 .284 .186 37 12 1993 RIV 505 144 22 3 9 31 6 5 .285 .326 .394 .254 128 59 1994 JAX 448 117 15 1 12 29 8 5 .261 .306 .379 .242 108 48 1995 TAC 447 130 13 3 10 22 4 3 .291 .324 .400 .256 114 53 1996 PRJ 675 202 30 5 11 31 6 3 .299 .330 .407 .262 177 83The Mariners are loaded with excellent prospects, and it seems like it's been that way since the dawn of the franchise. Power-hitting middle infielder who's ready to hit major league pitching at age 21? Do you really need me to tell you that he's a keeper? The Mariners just keep getting these guys Desi Relaford and Alex Rodriguez are two more like him. If they don't blow it, and neither one gets shipped off because he looks at Lou Piniella funny, the Mariners have a couple of shots at a Whitaker/Trammell situation.
KEIFER RACKLEY 1971 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 BLN 117 24 2 0 1 5 1 1 .205 .238 .248 .158 18 5 1994 RIV 237 64 6 1 7 18 4 1 .270 .322 .392 .254 60 28 1995 PCY 440 110 13 2 5 33 7 3 .250 .302 .323 .223 98 39
ROBERTO RAMIREZ 1970 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 EVE 156 25 6 1 0 10 3 3 .160 .211 .212 .118 18 3 1991 CLN 56 8 0 1 0 1 0 0 .143 .158 .179 **** -5 -1 1992 RNO 183 49 6 1 5 7 2 2 .268 .295 .393 .240 44 19 1993 MAD 56 15 1 0 1 1 1 1 .268 .281 .339 .218 12 5 1993 MOD 139 28 4 0 2 10 1 2 .201 .255 .273 .176 24 7 1994 RIV 430 115 16 3 10 16 6 3 .267 .294 .388 .240 103 45 1995 PCY 500 137 18 4 14 30 10 7 .274 .315 .410 .254 127 60
DESMOND RELAFORD 1974 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 PEN 454 83 8 1 2 29 16 5 .183 .232 .218 .149 67 16 1993 JAX 475 102 12 2 6 40 12 7 .215 .276 .286 .197 94 33 1994 RIV 379 103 18 3 3 60 17 4 .272 .371 .359 .268 102 52 1994 JAX 145 28 5 1 3 19 7 1 .193 .287 .303 .216 31 13 1995 PCY 362 103 8 1 6 35 20 7 .285 .348 .362 .259 94 45 1995 TAC 113 26 3 1 2 11 6 0 .230 .298 .327 .233 26 11 1996 PRJ 462 122 19 4 5 51 31 5 .264 .337 .355 .258 119 58Slick fielding middle infielder who's young, durable, and can hit. What's not to like? Most franchises would kill for the "problem" of having a guy like this stuck behind Rodriguez or Pozo.
KEVIN ROBERSON 1968 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CHR 518 128 16 1 17 27 13 3 .247 .284 .380 .236 122 53 1992 IOW 196 58 11 3 5 4 0 0 .296 .310 .459 .267 52 25 1993 IOW 260 76 12 1 13 18 4 2 .292 .338 .496 .286 74 41 1993 CHC 179 34 6 1 7 13 0 1 .190 .245 .352 .202 36 13 1994 IOW 66 20 4 0 3 4 0 1 .303 .343 .500 .284 19 10 1994 CHC 55 13 3 0 4 2 0 0 .236 .263 .509 .260 14 7 1995 TAC 157 36 4 1 5 17 1 1 .229 .305 .363 .233 37 16 1995 CHC 38 7 1 0 4 6 0 1 .184 .295 .526 .262 10 6Greg Pirkl II. Starring Richard Kiel as Greg Pirkl. Was a perfect Cub wouldn't walk if his life depended on it.
ALEX RODRIGUEZ 1976 SS/Deity YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1994 APP 247 68 7 3 9 17 10 3 .275 .322 .437 .268 66 34 1994 JAX 60 16 2 1 1 9 1 1 .267 .362 .383 .263 16 8 1994 CLG 113 29 3 2 4 7 3 3 .257 .300 .425 .248 28 13 1994 SEA 54 11 0 0 0 2 3 0 .204 .232 .204 .155 8 2 1995 TAC 212 75 7 2 13 16 3 4 .354 .399 .590 .328 69 43 1995 SEA 142 34 6 2 4 4 5 2 .239 .260 .394 .231 33 14 1996 PRJ 588 166 21 3 24 47 13 7 .282 .335 .451 .274 161 84The Natural. Piniella should just put him out there and leave him alone. If he does, this kid will hit like a banshee, be amazing in the field and the mainstream media will praise Piniella for giving him seasoning during 1995. Alex was ready last year, and he's still ready today. I can't advise Seattle fans to hire a sniper if Felix Fermin or one of his clones is run out to SS next year that would be wrong.
DOUG SAUNDERS 1970 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SLU 238 52 7 1 3 19 3 3 .218 .276 .294 .198 47 16 1992 BIN 445 102 11 1 6 43 7 8 .229 .297 .299 .208 93 35 1993 NOR 362 87 9 3 2 40 6 4 .240 .316 .298 .219 79 31 1993 NYM 67 14 2 0 0 3 0 0 .209 .243 .239 .155 10 3 1994 BIN 341 87 11 2 6 35 3 2 .255 .324 .352 .240 82 36 1995 PCY 117 31 5 1 4 8 2 0 .265 .312 .427 .261 31 15 1995 TAC 134 37 2 1 5 6 0 0 .276 .307 .418 .254 34 16
ANDY SHEETS 1972 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 APP 260 53 5 2 1 13 4 3 .204 .242 .250 .163 42 11 1993 RIV 178 28 4 1 1 9 1 1 .157 .198 .208 .099 18 2 1994 RIV 101 24 3 1 1 12 4 1 .238 .319 .317 .232 23 10 1994 JAX 233 44 5 0 1 18 3 3 .189 .247 .223 .150 35 8 1994 CLG 88 25 4 1 1 9 1 1 .284 .351 .386 .261 23 11 1995 TAC 434 122 22 6 3 28 9 3 .281 .325 .380 .252 109 50In most organizations, Sheets would be a darn good SS prospect. I guess it could be worse he could come up in Baltimore or something. With Rodriguez, Relaford, and Pozo in front of him, he's probably not going to get a shot in this organization. Needs to build on that big step up he took in 1995. Has a good defensive reputation.
DARRELL SHERMAN 1968 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 WIC 499 125 10 2 3 53 27 13 .251 .322 .297 .227 113 47 1992 WIC 229 73 8 1 6 36 20 5 .319 .411 .441 .309 71 43 1992 LVG 260 64 5 1 3 34 19 4 .246 .333 .308 .242 63 29 1993 LVG 261 52 4 1 0 30 13 6 .199 .282 .222 .180 47 15 1993 SDP 63 14 1 0 0 6 2 1 .222 .290 .238 .188 12 4 1994 CSP 47 7 0 0 0 7 1 2 .149 .259 .149 .103 5 1 1995 TAC 350 86 7 2 2 48 19 6 .246 .337 .294 .235 82 36
LUIS SOJO 1966 SS/2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CAL 368 104 13 1 3 13 6 2 .283 .307 .348 .235 87 36 1992 EDM 141 36 7 1 1 6 3 1 .255 .286 .340 .224 32 13 1992 CAL 368 103 11 4 7 13 9 10 .280 .304 .389 .241 89 39 1993 SYR 142 29 5 1 1 8 2 1 .204 .247 .275 .177 25 8 1993 TOR 47 8 2 0 0 4 0 0 .170 .235 .213 .133 6 1 1994 CLG 97 26 7 2 0 8 4 0 .268 .324 .381 .258 25 12 1994 SEA 211 58 8 2 4 5 2 1 .275 .292 .389 .240 51 22 1995 SEA 336 99 16 2 5 19 5 2 .295 .332 .399 .260 87 41 1996 PRJ 396 114 19 3 5 18 5 3 .288 .319 .389 .251 100 45Hey, you don't walk off an island, right? A utility infielder with a little pop, but is obstructing the young studs in this organization. Good role player, and could help a few teams off the bench.
PAUL SORRENTO 1966 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 POR 401 111 17 1 11 49 1 0 .277 .356 .406 .270 108 55 1991 MIN 47 12 3 0 4 4 0 0 .255 .314 .574 .293 14 8 1992 CLE 456 126 20 1 20 49 0 3 .276 .347 .456 .276 126 67 1993 CLE 465 128 22 2 19 55 4 1 .275 .352 .454 .280 130 70 1994 CLE 317 88 10 1 11 30 0 1 .278 .340 .420 .265 84 42 1995 CLE 322 80 17 1 22 47 1 1 .248 .344 .512 .288 93 54 1996 PRJ 339 89 14 1 16 45 0 0 .263 .349 .451 .278 94 51A competent replacement for Tino Martinez. Very steady player. Will cost the Mariners two games with his glove, as compared to Tino.
DOUG STRANGE 1964 IF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 IOW 512 145 26 2 9 38 10 4 .283 .333 .395 .259 132 63 1992 IOW 211 62 12 1 3 7 3 2 .294 .317 .403 .254 54 25 1992 CHC 95 17 2 0 1 10 1 0 .179 .257 .232 .163 15 4 1993 TEX 485 132 21 1 8 40 8 4 .272 .328 .369 .248 120 55 1994 TEX 226 51 10 1 4 12 1 4 .226 .265 .332 .203 46 17 1995 SEA 154 43 9 2 1 8 0 4 .279 .315 .383 .238 37 16
BRIAN TURANG 1967 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SBR 102 14 1 1 0 9 3 2 .137 .207 .167 .078 8 1 1991 JAX 133 26 5 2 0 10 4 1 .195 .252 .263 .180 24 7 1992 JAX 489 115 15 1 12 39 16 5 .235 .292 .344 .228 111 47 1993 CLG 404 107 11 4 7 32 17 5 .265 .319 .364 .247 100 46 1993 SEA 139 36 8 2 0 16 7 2 .259 .335 .345 .249 35 16 1994 CLG 262 74 10 2 3 13 5 3 .282 .316 .370 .244 64 28 1994 SEA 111 20 3 1 1 6 4 1 .180 .222 .252 .161 18 5 1995 TAC 195 44 2 1 1 12 8 4 .226 .271 .262 .189 37 12
JASON VARITEK 1972 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1995 PCY 364 83 10 1 9 53 0 1 .228 .326 .335 .233 85 37 1996 PRJ 529 132 22 2 15 73 2 2 .250 .341 .384 .256 135 66Introduced himself to the Mariners with a vicious contract dispute. Appears to be a very bright young man, and he's certainly impressive with the glove. I expect he'll hit better than indicated above, after the dreaded "Wooden Bat Adjustment." The Mariners may have more good prospects up the middle than any team in recent memory. Will have to be at least 30 before he's in Lou Piniella's comfort zone, no doubt.
CHRIS WIDGER 1971 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 BLN 170 34 2 1 3 13 3 1 .200 .257 .276 .184 31 10 1993 RIV 359 80 15 1 6 5 3 2 .223 .234 .320 .190 68 22 1994 JAX 391 92 8 1 13 34 6 4 .235 .296 .361 .230 90 39 1995 TAC 173 47 6 1 8 8 0 0 .272 .304 .457 .263 45 22 1995 SEA 45 9 0 0 1 2 0 0 .200 .234 .267 .164 7 2
JERRY WILLARD 1960 DH/1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 RIC 276 78 12 1 8 35 2 2 .283 .363 .420 .275 76 40 1992 IND 97 26 4 1 3 11 0 0 .268 .343 .423 .268 26 13 1993 RIC 321 97 10 1 7 54 0 0 .302 .403 .405 .289 93 50 1994 CLG 352 84 14 1 14 73 0 0 .239 .369 .403 .272 96 52 1995 TAC 228 60 8 0 9 40 0 0 .263 .373 .417 .278 63 34Another victim of an early judgment. Should have been catching in the bigs for the past seven years. Good hitter, but it's too late now.
DAN WILSON 1969 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CWV 203 52 6 1 2 16 0 0 .256 .311 .325 .226 46 18 1991 CHT 298 71 14 2 2 14 2 1 .238 .272 .319 .207 62 22 1992 NAS 365 86 12 1 3 27 2 3 .236 .288 .299 .205 75 27 1993 IND 189 46 6 1 1 17 1 0 .243 .306 .302 .217 41 16 1993 CIN 76 17 3 0 0 9 0 0 .224 .306 .263 .200 15 5 1994 SEA 279 60 11 2 2 7 1 2 .215 .234 .290 .175 49 14 1995 SEA 395 113 19 3 7 28 3 1 .286 .333 .403 .261 103 49 1996 PRJ 481 134 22 3 6 34 1 1 .279 .326 .374 .249 120 54His 1995 was way out of line with his previous performance, but sometimes those developments are for real. He's earned some more playing time. With Varitek behind him, he better keep hitting if he wants to keep playing. Good defensive rep, but unlikely to continue hitting as well as he did this year.
Organizational Pitching Report
OPR Points: 33 Rank in MLB: 8th Rank in AL West: 1st
Name Lvl Age IP Work H/G K/BB K/G ERA Adj Ttl Grade Santana, Marino 2 -1 7 0 8 7 9 3 0 35 A- Wolcott, Bob 7 6 8 -1 3 7 0 3 0 33 B Wagner, Matt 6 1 9 0 3 6 5 3 0 33 B Fernandez, Osv 6 -1 8 0 4 5 8 2 -1 31 B- Moore, Trey 3 1? 7 0 5 4 6 3 +1 30 C+ Cloude, Ken 0 3 8 0 5 4 5 3 0 28 C Carmona, Rafael 8 4 1 0 2 5 5 1 +1 27 C- Nickell, Jackie 6 -1 3 0 5 5 6 2 -1 25 D Harikkala, Tim 8 3 7 0 2 1 0 1 +2 24 D Smith, Ryan 3 0 7 0 2 4 3 3 +1 23 D- Franklin, Ryan 6 3 7 0 1 5 1 1 -1 23 D- Best Prospect in 1994: Brett Hinchliffe (B+) Best Rookie Starter in 1995: Bob Wolcott (B-)
DAVE ADAM 1969 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 SBR 140.7 176 94 31 54 83 6.01 5 11 11.26 3.45 5.31 1993 RIV 155.3 197 89 19 37 75 5.16 6 11 11.41 2.14 4.35 1994 JAX 108.7 145 76 20 40 63 6.29 3 9 12.01 3.31 5.22 1995 PCY 104.7 122 62 15 53 72 5.33 4 8 10.49 4.56 6.19
MATT APANA 1971 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 BLN 54.0 69 56 16 47 38 9.33 1 5 11.50 7.83 6.33 1994 RIV 149.3 180 79 12 78 101 4.76 7 10 10.85 4.70 6.09 1995 PCY 31.0 38 25 6 27 24 7.26 1 2 11.03 7.84 6.97 1995 TAC 97.0 121 64 12 65 59 5.94 3 8 11.23 6.03 5.47
BOBBY AYALA 1970 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CHT 83.3 99 67 21 65 75 7.24 2 7 10.69 7.02 8.10 1992 CHT 151.3 180 90 24 69 130 5.35 6 11 10.70 4.10 7.73 1992 CIN 29.0 35 15 2 14 26 4.66 1 2 10.86 4.34 8.07 1993 IND 25.7 37 17 2 13 19 5.96 1 2 12.97 4.56 6.66 1993 CIN 96.7 102 60 18 47 68 5.59 4 7 9.50 4.38 6.33 1994 SEA 56.0 39 17 2 23 81 2.73 4 2 6.27 3.70 13.02 1995 SEA 70.0 69 29 7 25 83 3.73 4 4 8.87 3.21 10.67Obviously enjoys pitching in Seattle, and has dramatically improved over the past two years. At the time of this writing, I believe he's the only Seattle reliever from 1995 that's still on the team. Kind of like working at AT&T or Apple, I would imagine. Good pitcher, and one of the guys I expect to suddenly find control. It's a rare event, but my ferret-like sensors think Ayala's going to drop that walk rate a full one per nine innings this year.
TIM BELCHER 1962 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 LAD 207.7 206 75 14 79 169 3.25 14 9 8.93 3.42 7.32 1992 CIN 227.7 210 101 24 85 167 3.99 13 12 8.30 3.36 6.60 1993 CIN 135.3 129 60 13 50 106 3.99 8 7 8.58 3.33 7.05 1993 CWS 70.7 69 33 8 25 39 4.20 4 4 8.79 3.18 4.97 1994 DET 159.0 196 99 17 70 82 5.60 6 12 11.09 3.96 4.64 1995 IND 9.7 7 3 2 2 8 2.79 1 0 6.52 1.86 7.45 1995 SEA 177.3 176 70 14 76 103 3.55 11 9 8.93 3.86 5.23A free agent, and the bane of any intelligent fan at this point. Joe Sheehan's Axiom of Free Agent Pitchers: If they're not signed by Jan 15th, you don't want 'em. Belcher had a respectable 1995, but that K rate and his age are big danger signs. Could win 12-15 games for the Indians, though, who could probably boost Vic Tayback to that many victories. #3 starter in Kansas City.
CHRIS BOSIO 1963 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 MIL 202.0 195 70 15 56 134 3.12 14 8 8.69 2.50 5.97 1992 MIL 226.3 266 114 24 43 148 4.53 11 14 10.58 1.71 5.89 1993 SEA 162.0 141 63 14 55 135 3.50 10 8 7.83 3.06 7.50 1994 SEA 123.3 127 49 12 33 71 3.58 8 6 9.27 2.41 5.18 1995 SEA 168.0 197 69 9 58 91 3.70 10 9 10.55 3.11 4.88A man after my own build. Consistent control pitcher who's battled weight and injury problems. There are worse gambles an unhealthy player might get healthy, but a bad player generally isn't going to get good. Smart pitcher. Saw him five times over the past three years, each time against either the Angels or the Orioles. He pitches great for a while, and then gives up about seven baserunners in a row, which is the sort of performance I've grown to expect from Oakland A's pitchers, not guys on other teams.
MIKE BUTCHER 1965 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 MID 80.7 89 43 10 44 56 4.80 4 5 9.93 4.91 6.25 1992 EDM 27.3 22 10 3 17 31 3.29 2 1 7.24 5.60 10.21 1992 CAL 27.0 30 12 2 12 28 4.00 2 1 10.00 4.00 9.33 1993 VAN 23.0 20 15 5 13 11 5.87 1 2 7.83 5.09 4.30 1993 CAL 28.0 22 11 2 14 27 3.54 2 1 7.07 4.50 8.68 1994 VAN 27.0 30 13 3 12 29 4.33 1 2 10.00 4.00 9.67 1994 CAL 29.0 29 17 2 22 20 5.28 1 2 9.00 6.83 6.21 1995 CAL 50.7 51 23 6 28 32 4.09 3 3 9.06 4.97 5.68
KEVIN CAMPBELL 1965 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 TAC 70.0 58 20 2 36 54 2.57 6 2 7.46 4.63 6.94 1991 OAK 22.7 15 7 4 14 19 2.78 2 1 5.96 5.56 7.54 1992 TAC 12.3 17 9 2 8 14 6.57 0 1 12.41 5.84 10.22 1992 OAK 63.7 73 38 4 45 46 5.37 2 5 10.32 6.36 6.50 1993 TAC 52.7 42 19 7 21 41 3.25 4 2 7.18 3.59 7.01 1993 OAK 15.7 20 10 2 10 10 5.74 1 1 11.49 5.74 5.74 1994 SLC 38.0 37 14 1 15 33 3.32 2 2 8.76 3.55 7.82 1994 MIN 24.7 19 6 2 4 16 2.19 2 1 6.93 1.46 5.84 1995 TAC 46.3 51 26 8 15 35 5.05 2 3 9.91 2.91 6.80Hasn't been good enough to make it with the Twins or the A's. Ahem.
RAFAEL CARMONA 1973 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 BLN 31.7 49 29 3 11 19 8.24 1 3 13.93 3.13 5.40 1994 RIV 63.0 60 29 5 20 46 4.14 3 4 8.57 2.86 6.57 1995 PCY 13.3 13 6 0 2 13 4.05 0 1 8.78 1.35 8.78 1995 TAC 45.3 53 27 8 20 38 5.36 2 3 10.52 3.97 7.54 1995 SEA 46.3 51 24 6 30 30 4.66 2 3 9.91 5.83 5.83
NORM CHARLTON 1963 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CIN 107.3 97 35 8 36 83 2.93 8 4 8.13 3.02 6.96 1992 CIN 80.7 83 38 10 28 101 4.24 4 5 9.26 3.12 11.27 1993 SEA 34.0 23 10 4 16 54 2.65 3 1 6.09 4.24 14.29 1995 PHI 22.0 24 17 3 15 12 6.95 0 2 9.82 6.14 4.91 1995 SEA 47.0 22 6 2 14 64 1.15 5 0 4.21 2.68 12.26A cross between Woody Harrelson and that evil bald guy from the A-Team. Still throws hard, but he's not exactly predictable, either in terms of health or performance. He's left-handed, so he'll be around until the end of the O.J. Simpson civil trial in 2002.
TIM DAVIS 1971 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 APP 70.3 65 27 7 37 57 3.45 5 3 8.32 4.73 7.29 1993 RIV 30.3 15 6 2 7 44 1.78 3 0 4.45 2.08 13.05 1994 CLG 38.0 32 11 1 9 40 2.61 3 1 7.58 2.13 9.47 1994 SEA 48.7 51 17 2 22 29 3.14 3 2 9.43 4.07 5.36 1995 TAC 12.7 15 7 3 4 13 4.97 0 1 10.66 2.84 9.24 1995 SEA 23.3 28 15 2 16 20 5.79 1 2 10.80 6.17 7.71
SCOTT DAVISON 1971 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1994 BLN 13.0 16 8 0 7 12 5.54 0 1 11.08 4.85 8.31 1994 CLG 13.7 18 7 1 6 16 4.61 1 1 11.85 3.95 10.54 1995 PCY 38.3 27 7 1 18 42 1.64 3 1 6.34 4.23 9.86 1995 TAC 21.3 21 12 3 4 12 5.06 1 1 8.86 1.69 5.06Small right-hander; there's nothing specifically not to like about him, but he needs to demonstrate that 1995 wasn't a fluke. Will have a reasonable shot at making the team to start the season, and should get a reasonable amount of work as a mopup and setup guy.
OSVALDO FERNANDEZ 1970 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1994 RIV 77.3 84 42 12 41 59 4.89 4 5 9.78 4.77 6.87 1995 PCY 147.0 158 84 10 67 135 5.14 6 10 9.67 4.10 8.27Looks like a prospect, certainly. Left-hander who's had his rates do the right thing, appears to be fairly durable, and has a reputation for being coachable. Will likely start the year in the rotation at Tacoma, unless he can convince Lou Piniella that's really 38 years old and has no fastball. If he can do that, he might get a shot at the Mariners' left setup slot.
RYAN FRANKLIN 1973 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 BLN 65.3 107 57 5 20 35 7.85 1 6 14.74 2.76 4.82 1994 APP 110.3 127 75 14 24 71 6.12 4 8 10.36 1.96 5.79 1994 RIV 56.7 77 32 8 7 26 5.08 2 4 12.23 1.11 4.13 1995 PCY 136.7 174 89 20 47 86 5.86 5 10 11.46 3.10 5.66Junkball control fiend; unlikely to get a shot or be successful unless he can reduce the walks to below 1.5 per nine fairly consistently. He's still young, though, and could make a dent if he can bump that K rate up a notch. Borderline prospect.
LEE GUETTERMAN 1959 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 NYY 87.0 90 33 6 23 39 3.41 6 4 9.31 2.38 4.03 1992 NYM 43.3 57 25 7 15 17 5.19 2 3 11.84 3.12 3.53 1992 NYY 22.3 37 22 6 12 6 8.87 0 2 14.91 4.84 2.42 1993 LOU 32.0 37 11 0 13 20 3.09 3 1 10.41 3.66 5.62 1993 STL 45.3 41 16 1 17 20 3.18 3 2 8.14 3.38 3.97 1994 CLG 19.0 17 7 0 3 16 3.32 1 1 8.05 1.42 7.58 1994 LVG 20.3 19 5 1 4 17 2.21 2 0 8.41 1.77 7.52 1995 TAC 35.0 34 12 3 10 21 3.09 3 1 8.74 2.57 5.40 1995 SEA 16.7 19 9 1 10 12 4.86 1 1 10.26 5.40 6.48
TIM HARIKKALA 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 BLN 27.3 50 26 4 19 10 8.56 1 2 16.46 6.26 3.29 1993 APP 34.7 56 30 6 13 21 7.79 1 3 14.54 3.37 5.45 1994 APP 87.0 86 42 13 27 44 4.34 5 5 8.90 2.79 4.55 1994 RIV 27.3 20 9 2 11 22 2.96 2 1 6.59 3.62 7.24 1994 JAX 49.0 77 33 5 23 19 6.06 2 3 14.14 4.22 3.49 1995 TAC 138.3 154 72 18 58 74 4.68 6 9 10.02 3.77 4.81
STERLING HITCHCOCK 1971 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 PRW 109.3 146 69 7 22 73 5.68 4 8 12.02 1.81 6.01 1992 ABY 138.3 141 66 14 49 134 4.29 7 8 9.17 3.19 8.72 1992 NYY 12.3 25 11 1 5 7 8.03 0 1 18.24 3.65 5.11 1993 COH 72.3 88 43 10 31 76 5.35 3 5 10.95 3.86 9.46 1993 NYY 30.3 34 16 4 13 30 4.75 1 2 10.09 3.86 8.90 1994 COH 47.3 56 28 5 19 43 5.32 2 3 10.65 3.61 8.18 1994 NYY 48.7 50 20 3 27 40 3.70 3 2 9.25 4.99 7.40 1995 NYY 166.3 166 78 19 60 135 4.22 9 9 8.98 3.25 7.30Certainly good value for Tino Martinez. Relatively young, consistent, no scary injury history to speak of; this is what you look for in a pitching prospect. Didn't get overworked at a very young age, so he might be more durable than a Bill Pulsipher or Jason Isringhausen.
RANDY JOHNSON 1964 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SEA 198.0 165 89 16 151 263 4.05 11 11 7.50 6.86 11.95 1992 SEA 206.0 157 89 16 141 285 3.89 12 11 6.86 6.16 12.45 1993 SEA 251.7 190 82 22 92 350 2.93 18 10 6.79 3.29 12.52 1994 SEA 170.0 122 44 11 64 217 2.33 14 5 6.46 3.39 11.49 1995 SEA 212.7 152 46 10 54 321 1.95 19 5 6.43 2.29 13.58Can pitch a little. Will be hard-pressed to continue his ERA trend, but don't rule it out. Hopefully for Mariners fans, he didn't hurt himself pitching every 20-25 minutes last October, when the Mariners' staff was shown to be a bit shallow. If Nolan Ryan can do this for anyone else, he should charge about $30 million or so. Johnson will play this year at age 32, but there's no indication in his previous performances that a dropoff is anywhere in sight. The Mariners are a very interesting team, and one very vulnerable to injuries. The loss of Johnson would be far worse for the team than the potential loss of Griffey. Be honest: doesn't watching Johnson pitch to most batters remind you of the Little League World Series, where 12-year-old Taiwanese pitchers gun down 13-year-old kids from the U.S., and then get mobbed on the mound by their wives and children?
KEVIN KING 1969 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 PEN 84.0 106 56 17 38 41 6.00 3 6 11.36 4.07 4.39 1992 SBR 147.3 231 100 23 40 74 6.11 5 11 14.11 2.44 4.52 1993 RIV 41.3 43 13 0 18 22 2.83 3 2 9.36 3.92 4.79 1993 JAX 26.7 30 12 4 8 11 4.05 1 2 10.12 2.70 3.71 1993 SEA 11.7 9 6 3 4 9 4.63 0 1 6.94 3.09 6.94 1994 CLG 34.3 40 19 3 18 26 4.98 2 2 10.49 4.72 6.82 1994 SEA 14.7 19 9 0 15 6 5.52 1 1 11.66 9.20 3.68 1995 PCY 28.7 40 16 2 13 16 5.02 1 2 12.56 4.08 5.02 1995 TAC 15.3 33 15 2 7 10 8.80 0 2 19.37 4.11 5.87
BILL KRUEGER 1958 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SEA 172.0 209 75 11 58 105 3.92 10 9 10.94 3.03 5.49 1992 MIN 158.3 181 79 20 45 104 4.49 8 10 10.29 2.56 5.91 1992 MON 17.3 26 14 1 8 15 7.27 0 2 13.50 4.15 7.79 1993 TOL 10.7 12 3 0 3 7 2.53 1 0 10.12 2.53 5.91 1993 DET 80.3 92 36 6 28 68 4.03 4 5 10.31 3.14 7.62 1994 LVG 15.7 17 5 0 2 17 2.87 1 1 9.77 1.15 9.77 1994 DET 19.3 26 19 3 16 18 8.84 0 2 12.10 7.45 8.38 1994 SDP 40.7 41 20 5 7 31 4.43 2 3 9.07 1.55 6.86 1995 TAC 48.7 54 28 6 9 40 5.18 2 3 9.99 1.66 7.40 1995 SEA 19.7 35 14 2 2 11 6.41 1 1 16.02 .92 5.03
TERRIC MCFARLIN 1969 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 BAK 137.0 169 74 14 47 90 4.86 6 9 11.10 3.09 5.91 1992 BAK 24.7 18 12 4 20 23 4.38 1 2 6.57 7.30 8.39 1993 SAN 86.7 99 43 4 46 60 4.47 4 6 10.28 4.78 6.23 1994 WIC 38.7 29 15 4 19 30 3.49 2 2 6.75 4.42 6.98 1994 LVG 59.7 61 35 10 22 53 5.28 3 4 9.20 3.32 7.99 1995 LVG 115.7 118 58 15 62 85 4.51 6 7 9.18 4.82 6.61
BOB MILACKI 1965 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 HAG 16.0 18 6 2 2 15 3.38 1 1 10.12 1.12 8.44 1991 BAL 181.7 179 72 17 50 123 3.57 11 9 8.87 2.48 6.09 1992 ROC 58.3 63 34 12 23 32 5.25 2 4 9.72 3.55 4.94 1992 BAL 113.0 154 76 17 43 62 6.05 4 9 12.27 3.42 4.94 1993 CHR 68.7 68 35 7 22 42 4.59 3 5 8.91 2.88 5.50 1993 CLE 15.7 18 9 2 10 8 5.17 1 1 10.34 5.74 4.60 1994 OMA 81.7 95 48 12 43 58 5.29 3 6 10.47 4.74 6.39 1994 KCR 54.7 71 35 5 17 18 5.76 2 4 11.69 2.80 2.96 1995 OMA 101.3 95 41 9 35 61 3.64 6 5 8.44 3.11 5.42 1995 TAC 67.3 96 45 7 24 31 6.01 2 5 12.83 3.21 4.14Bob "Smacki" Milacki [tm Jon King] is a personal favorite of mine. I had to say something about him. Back in 1992, when pitching against the A's, he threw three straight pitches to Rickey Henderson right down the center of the strike zone, all of which were called balls by the home plate umpire. He then threw three straight balls so far out of the strike zone that Alvaro Espinoza would have watched them go by. Henderson flailed ineffectually at all three pitches and struck out. One of the weirdest at bats I've ever seen.
JACKIE NICKELL 1970 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 SBR 36.0 43 28 12 21 22 7.00 1 3 10.75 5.25 5.50 1993 APP 135.7 163 64 16 42 96 4.25 7 8 10.81 2.79 6.37 1994 RIV 84.3 94 52 15 21 52 5.55 3 6 10.03 2.24 5.55 1994 JAX 13.0 17 10 4 4 9 6.92 0 1 11.77 2.77 6.23 1995 PCY 84.7 84 44 17 33 68 4.68 4 5 8.93 3.51 7.23Took a big step forward in 1995, and he sure looks like he's got major league stuff. Major league hitters will have a tough time against this guy right now; if he improves his control even slightly, he's still got time to be a real good one. Still has a tendency to leave the OopsBall [tm] over the heart of the plate.
TONY PHILLIPS 1969 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 SBR 46.0 45 21 3 26 30 4.11 2 3 8.80 5.09 5.87 1993 RIV 29.0 25 9 3 1 15 2.79 2 1 7.76 .31 4.66 1993 JAX 27.7 41 14 1 5 19 4.55 1 2 13.34 1.63 6.18 1994 CLG 92.3 119 48 10 23 47 4.68 4 6 11.60 2.24 4.58 1995 TAC 82.7 101 41 8 15 45 4.46 4 5 11.00 1.63 4.90I may be an awfully small minority, but I like this guy. Extreme control pitchers have a chance to overcome those low strikeout numbers, particularly if they're lucky enough to get in front of an excellent MLB defense. Phillips reminds me a little bit of a young Bill Swift. If he gets the same chances Swift got, I expect he'll have a similar career.
LEE RUSSELL 1971 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 BLN 82.3 118 72 20 45 44 7.87 2 7 12.90 4.92 4.81 1992 PEN 144.7 159 94 10 71 95 5.85 5 11 9.89 4.42 5.91 1993 JAX 81.7 132 73 21 36 43 8.04 2 7 14.55 3.97 4.74 1994 JAX 66.0 88 44 13 30 33 6.00 2 5 12.00 4.09 4.50 1995 PCY 66.3 79 38 8 48 45 5.16 3 4 10.72 6.51 6.11
SALOMON TORRES 1972 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CLN 192.7 213 85 16 41 143 3.97 11 10 9.95 1.92 6.68 1992 SHV 152.0 189 107 21 44 119 6.34 5 12 11.19 2.61 7.05 1993 SHV 78.0 78 34 10 16 53 3.92 5 4 9.00 1.85 6.12 1993 PHX 99.3 98 36 7 28 86 3.26 7 4 8.88 2.54 7.79 1993 SFG 44.3 42 23 6 29 25 4.67 2 3 8.53 5.89 5.08 1994 PHX 74.3 83 42 8 32 60 5.09 3 5 10.05 3.87 7.26 1994 SFG 84.0 104 56 10 36 44 6.00 3 6 11.14 3.86 4.71 1995 TAC 26.7 20 10 3 14 19 3.38 2 1 6.75 4.72 6.41 1995 SEA 71.0 80 36 9 37 48 4.56 3 5 10.14 4.69 6.08Touted in San Francisco as a major talent and head case, this guy is still more than young enough to have a fantastic career. I'm not a big believer in the mythologies of the minor league hitter and pitcher; it's a very rare bird that can hit or pitch in the minors, but can't do it in the majors. Having said that, I want to point out that if such a bird exists, this could be the guy. Very live arm, but primarily uses pitches out of the strike zone for out pitches, and major league hitters don't lose that game often. I think he needs a year of steady work at AAA, then perhaps two years of long relief in the bigs, a la Earl Weaver.
MATT WAGNER 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1994 APP 30.7 29 11 4 9 34 3.23 2 1 8.51 2.64 9.98 1995 PCY 129.3 139 63 14 37 94 4.38 6 8 9.67 2.57 6.54 1995 TAC 31.0 43 25 4 18 33 7.26 1 2 12.48 5.23 9.58Welcome to the PCL. For your convenience, we've stocked the league with high altitudes, great hitting backgrounds, lively balls and a small strike zone. If there's anything more we can do to make your stay more enjoyable, please don't hesitate to ask. Will be an excellent pitcher; only questions are health, and when it will happen. Good chance it won't happen while he's in the Mariner organization.
BOB WELLS 1966 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CLR 69.7 79 36 14 19 51 4.65 3 5 10.21 2.45 6.59 1992 REA 14.3 14 4 0 6 9 2.51 1 1 8.79 3.77 5.65 1993 CLR 25.0 27 8 1 7 21 2.88 2 1 9.72 2.52 7.56 1993 SWB 18.3 22 8 1 6 7 3.93 1 1 10.80 2.95 3.44 1994 REA 18.0 21 9 4 3 15 4.50 1 1 10.50 1.50 7.50 1994 CLG 30.0 38 19 8 9 16 5.70 1 2 11.40 2.70 4.80 1994 SWB 13.7 19 7 1 6 12 4.61 1 1 12.51 3.95 7.90 1995 SEA 75.3 82 35 8 34 41 4.18 4 4 9.80 4.06 4.90
BOB WOLCOTT 1974 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 BLN 18.3 30 24 8 25 9 11.78 0 2 14.73 12.27 4.42 1993 BLN 87.3 109 52 18 14 51 5.36 4 6 11.23 1.44 5.26 1994 RIV 164.3 218 92 17 52 105 5.04 7 11 11.94 2.85 5.75 1995 PCY 82.3 69 30 10 14 45 3.28 5 4 7.54 1.53 4.92 1995 TAC 75.3 96 45 13 17 44 5.38 3 5 11.47 2.03 5.26 1995 SEA 36.0 40 15 3 11 20 3.75 2 2 10.00 2.75 5.00Highly touted youngster; there's a lot here to like. He's young, he's been successful at every stop of his career, he's coachable, and he knows how to throw strikes. On the other hand, he doesn't strike out a lot of guys, and his 1994 workload of 187 innings at age 20 is more than a little frightening. I'd handle with care in Bob's case. He's got a lot of time left in this game if his joints hold up. Guys like this that suffer bad injuries don't tend to come back from them real well. There's a thin line of acceptable velocity in MLB, and if you're living on the edge to start with, that first rotator cuff twinge can be deadly.