Draft Review - Seattle Mariners

I've posted a review of the Seattle Mariners' draft over at MLB Bonus Baby. There's comments on all 52 picks. The next team up will be the San Diego Padres.

Here's an excerpt for you, this being the size of each year in my draft previews before the draft:

1. Dustin Ackley, OF, North Carolina, #2 overall, 6’1’’/190: Ackley was undoubtedly the best college position prospect in the draft and with some late-season time in center field to showcase his ability there, he cemented his status as the second-best talent overall, leading to this selection. Though Scott Boras represents him, he shouldn’t command Pedro Alvarez money, but anything is possible, and he won’t sign until August 17. DOB: 2/26/88.

1. Nick Franklin, SS, Lake Brantley HS (FL), #27 overall, 6’1’’/170: Whereas Ackley was an unquestioned pick, this pick had me scratching my head. Franklin rose up boards late, but he honestly doesn’t have first-round tools, but still comes with most of the prep bat risk. He’s a good defender at short, but I didn’t think any prep shortstop outside of Jiovanni Mier would be in the first. Overall, I thought Franklin was second-round material, and I’m mystified as to why they took him this early and still haven’t signed him. DOB: 3/2/91. Commitment: Auburn.

1s. Steve Baron, C, Ferguson HS (FL), #33 overall, 6’0’’/195: There was news before the draft that the Mariners had agreed with Baron on a pre-draft deal for this slot, and they indeed did take him here. I was still surprised, as Baron wasn’t near the top of my prep catcher list for this class. However, it surprised me more when rumors started leaking of Baron backing out of his pre-draft deal, and he still hasn’t signed. He’s got a strong college commitment, so this could end up being one of the bigger gaffes in this draft, as they get no compensation if he doesn’t sign, since this is a compensation pick by itself. DOB: 12/7/90. Commitment: Duke.

2. Rich Poythress, 1B, Georgia, #51 overall, 6’4’’/235: Poythress was a possible first-round option after a strong start to his college season, but he wore down a bit, scaring some teams off, most of which thought his decline in production was due to his holes against better pitching. However, this was a strong pick for draft value and talent, as I didn’t think Poythress would slip out of the supplemental first as a college junior. He still hasn’t signed, but I don’t see him holding out too much longer. DOB: 8/11/87.

3. Kyle Seager, 2B, North Carolina, #82 overall, 5’10’’/194: Seager climbed boards this year with yet another strong college season with the bat and a move to third base for the Tar Heels. He doesn’t have big upside, but as a polished college bat, he could be ready for the big leagues in just a couple of years. I doubt he’ll hit enough for third base, and he was announced as a second baseman, so I see that as his development path. He still hasn’t signed, but he won’t gain much from going back to school. DOB: 11/3/87.

The cutoff point in the Mariners' draft in terms of transitioning to unsignable or organizational players is after the Adam Nelubowich pick in the 14th round.

Direct link here.

What do you guys think?