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?
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Great Write Up
I agree with you on the lack of starting pitching depth generated from this draft. It is worrying in that our farm is not exactly filled with any decent upside starting pitching talent in the first place. It looks like there is plenty of upside in the middle infield and in several good bats with little defensive versitility. Also, depending on the signings of Baron and Coleman, are catching situation looks like it has improved.
For the entire system now, it looks like we finally have more depth at 1B and C than in a long time. Also, some more polished middle infielders will help balance out the international FA crop of Martinez, DeJesus, Norriega, Truinfel etc…. I would of liked some more pitching talen but it was a good first go around for the new crew.
by tdot mariner fan on
Jul 9, 2025 2:24 AM EDT
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Give the kid more time
Jack Z knows something about drafting, he has a good track record. Jovanni Mier was gone at that pick so he was probably the best SS available. For what is worth I think he make BA All-American HS 1st team.
by LCT on
Jul 9, 2025 10:20 PM EDT
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I dont really care for his tools
and I thought it was a pretty big overdraft at that point. Nothing about Franklin impresses me. I dont think he’ll be a bust, but for a guy taken that early he has very little chance of being an impact player - and apparently he wasnt a signability pick as he remains unsigned. I dont get it.
by alskor on
Jul 10, 2025 4:13 AM EDT
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You're confusing sexy with solid.
The M’s could have taken other players with that pick. Heck, they could have taken Poythress with that one if they wanted. But let’s analyze what the player is. Right now he’s projecting to be an all around average player. All around average players have some value by themselves, but put an all around average player at short stop and you’ve got decent value.
I mean, you look at league average players and none of them are particularly sexy, but they’re still way above value for replacement level. Kelly Johnson, Jose Lopez, Luke Scott, Mark Reynolds, AJ Pierzynski, Ramon Hernandez, Lyle Overbay, Garret Anderson etc… All league average players in 2008. Useful, but unsexy.
I’m not saying Franklin isn’t an overdraft, but I am saying that his value may justify the pick.
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on
Jul 10, 2025 9:29 PM EDT
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Sure
I just think they could have done much better with the pick.
by alskor on
Jul 11, 2025 2:50 AM EDT
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I like Franklin
But I agree that was a big overdraft. I was pegging him for late second round.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on
Jul 13, 2025 3:54 PM EDT
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Steven Baron is now signed.
$988,000 bonus, 44k above slot.
http://ussmariner.com/2009/07/09/ms-sign-steven-baron/
Not really happy about that because I’m not sure how it’s going to effect the rest of the M’s signings. The idea was that Baron was signed to a pre-draft deal to go below slot bonus if he was drafted higher than projected. Now… who knows.
Fans are typically idiots.
by The Typical Idiot Fan on
Jul 9, 2025 7:12 PM EDT
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Franklin Pick
Seemed like a pick based on lack of depth at SS within the Org I think Rex Brothers would’ve been a great fit at 27
Grab Some Pine Meat!
by Gobroks on
Jul 11, 2025 6:25 PM EDT
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