If the Mariners are ever going to build a successful offense, it’s going to be around left-handed power. Safeco kills righty sluggers, but actually helps their southpaw counterparts. The Yankees understand this about their ballpark—why not the M’s?

Wallace would be a pick that could move fast, and could combine with Jeff Clement to give the team two strong lefties in the middle of the order.

I like Wallace from that list, though I remember a poster from a mariner board who goes to ASU saying something about him being a known juicer, but who knows. Obviously if Alonso drops, I think he is the guy. If Wallace is gone, do you think about over drafting another lefty 1B, either Ike Davis or David Cooper? The other guy who I like a lot, but probably wont be available is Hicks. He could be ready to take over in CF right when Ichiro is done. But again, he would have to fall to use, which is unlikely.
My board for hitters looks like this(with the top 3 being unlikely to fall to us)
Hosmer
Alonso
Hicks
Wallace
Davis
Cooper
Raben

As for the pitchers on that list, I like what I hear about friedrich. Lefty’s fit well in Safeco, and Meyer’s size is quite intriguing. I would probbaly slot them in that order in between Davis and Cooper.

I also want to throw out a name for the last pick. David Phelps RHP Notre Dame. He had a great year his sophmore season, but has just been OK this year. I saw everyone of his game sin the Alaska league after his freshman season, and he was very impressive if inconsistent. He can definiteley miss bats. Throws 89-92 with a good slider. I don’t know how he is thought of in this draft. That may be a huge overdraft, or maybe it is right where he will go. But I just wanted to throw that name out there. I think he would be a good late pick up that could move relatively fast in the org

myself, but a lefty 1B is a huge need, and I know you dont draft for need but…he may still be a solid pick. I am not sure how much of an overdraft he would be at 20. If he is 24 on the board maybe you reach, if he is 44, then you dont. As for Davis, I saw him in the same Alaska League I saw Phelps in and I was impressed with his swing. He seemed to have good power, but it was hard to judge power in that league because there were so few home runs. I think Beau Mills had more homeruns by himself (7) than any other team in the league. As for Martin I like him, though I have 2 reservations. 1 as a right handed slugger in Safeco, he either needs to have that type of rare power that wont be affected by the Safe , or be good enough with the glove that it doesnt matter if the home park saps some power a la Beltre. You have to really believe in the power, which I admit looks pretty special. The other thing is you keep hearing that he is going to go as a pitcher, and while he still holds good value as a pitcher, I am wary of high school arms in the 1st round.
As for Hicks, I hear you. The toolsy HS outfielder usually takes a while to develop, and he doesnt seem to be in the Maybin, Bruce class from a few years ago. And the Mariners have their share of Toolsy outfield projects in Halman, Peguero, Almonte etc

As an overall draft strategy I think the M’s are really light in the pitching department in their system beyond Aumont and Ramirez, They probably go heavy on that the first 10 rounds. The absolutely need a 1B in the system with potential. It is barren for prospects. And beyond Triunfel it is pretty light up the middle, and even he may end up in 3B or RF. If it was me, in a perfect world I go with a 1B, 3 SP, and a SS/2B with the first 5 picks, of course that is subject to change with how the board falls

Just a couple of quick thoughts for the moment.

Agreed on the Martin love, but I actually prefer him as a pitcher. Great build for a pitcher, athletic, light workload, very good velocity that stands a solid chance of improving with more repetition, the makings of multiple pitches that rate at least above-average. He makes for a nice hitter but I’m mildly concerned about his ability to make contact – it’s not a glaring hole, but I think his upside as a pitcher is too high to make that gamble.

Personally, though, I’m skeptical that he’s going to get to No. 20 on here. Minorleagueball.com drafts tend to be dominated by sabermetric philosophy, but the prepsters who tend to go early are the athletic guys who are already showing plus something. I’m fairly certain that the vast majority of mock drafters here prefer Martin to Meyer and Kelly, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a majority prefer him to Melville and Hicks (as a pitcher or OF). If Melville is on the board at 20 do you roll with him?

Weeks is an intriguing pick here if he falls this far. He’s a gap power guy who shouldn’t be adversely affected by Safeco.

1-Tanner Scheppers-RHP-Fresno St.-the top hitters were gone and he was the best talent available.
2-Chase Davidson-1B-HS (Georgia) Best power hitter available IMO and I have seen him have light tower power
3-Logan Forsythe-3B-Arkansas-Living in TN I have seen him and he is athletic enough to play 2B IMO-great baseball player with skills
4-David Duncan-LHP-Georgia Tech-Could be #3 or 4 starter innings eater-good stuff and pitched in strong conference
5-Anthony Capra-LHP-Wichita St.-Have not seen him but they put out good pitchers and was going mostly off of Baseball Americas report