GOTC - Seattle Mariners Top 15 Prospects

#15
Xavier Avery – OF
Date of Birth: January 1, 1990
Height/Weight: 6’0′, 190 lbs
Acquired: Trade, Baltimore Orioles
2013 Stats

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB
2013	23	3 Teams	3 Lgs	AA-AAA	BAL,SEA	123	533	467	75	124	23	4	4	38	30	8	55	118	.266	.345	.358	.703	167	5	3	6	2	0
2013	23	Bowie	EL	AA	BAL	39	186	160	34	48	10	2	1	12	12	3	23	44	.300	.391	.406	.798	65	0	1	2	0	0
2013	23	Norfolk	IL	AAA	BAL	81	333	295	36	70	12	2	2	23	17	5	31	73	.237	.312	.312	.624	92	5	2	3	2	0
2013	23	Tacoma	PCL	AAA	SEA	3	14	12	5	6	1	0	1	3	1	0	1	1	.500	.538	.833	1.372	10	0	0	1	0	0

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/25/2013.

Analysis: Since the day he was drafted by the Orioles in 2008, Avery has been the player with all the tools, but who lacked the ability to channel them onto the diamond. In six minor league seasons, not once has he posted an OPS above .725. Still, as a potential leadoff hitter, his .345 OBP last season was a positive sign, and most of his value will come in the field or on the basepaths anyway. A plus runner, Avery has excellent range in center and has stolen over 30 bases four times in the minors. He’s a backup outfielder at least, but he could be more if the bat ever comes along.  
2014 Prognosis: Avery will probably start next season in Triple-A Tacoma, but he’ll be one of the first players on call if a Mariners outfielder goes down with injury.

#14

Patrick Kivlehan – 3B
Date of Birth: December 22, 1989
Height/Weight: 6’2′, 210  lbs
Acquired: 4th round, 2012 draft
2013 Stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB
2013	23	2 Teams	2 Lgs	A+-A	SEA	128	549	489	74	148	25	3	16	90	15	6	43	107	.303	.366	.464	.830	227	9	10	0	7	1
2013	23	Clinton	MIDW	A	SEA	60	247	223	26	63	12	1	3	31	5	3	17	42	.283	.344	.386	.730	86	4	5	0	2	1
2013	23	High Desert	CALL	A+	SEA	68	302	266	48	85	13	2	13	59	10	3	26	65	.320	.384	.530	.914	141	5	5	0	5	0

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/25/2013.

After a somewhat disappointing start to the year in Class-A, Kivlehan was promoted to High-A and proceeded to ravage the high-dessert league, hitting .320 with a .384 OBP, and 13 home runs in just 68 games. He’s this low on this list, however, because at 23, he was slightly old for A ball and the High-Dessert ballpark, where Kivlehan played the second half of his season, is the best hitters park in all of full-season minor league baseball, according to a report published by Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Kivlehan has the potential to be an everyday major league third baseman, but having not played any baseball between his senior year of high school and his senior of college, he will probably need more time and seasoning in the minors than most other 24 year olds. 
2014 Prognosis: Kivlehan proved himself in High-Desert and should play all of next season in Double-A Jackson

#13

Edwin Diaz – RHP
Date of Birth: March 22, 1994
Height/Weight: 6’2′, 165  lbs
Acquired: 3rd round, 2012 draft
2013 Stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GS	GF	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	BK	WP	BF	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB
2013	19	Pulaski	APPY	Rk	SEA	5	2	.714	1.43	13	13	0	0	0	0	69.0	45	14	11	5	18	0	79	4	0	2	260	0.913	5.9	0.7	2.3	10.3	4.39

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/25/2013.

Analysis: The slender righthander was incredibly raw when Seattle drafted him in 2012, but he is coming along nicely, as indicated by his 1.43 ERA and 4.39 K:BB ratio in rookie ball last year. His 2.3 BB/9 is particularly noteworthy, as Diaz had been rather wild after the draft two seasons ago, walking just under a batter per inning over the course of nineteen innings.His potential is largely an outgrowth of a solid repertoire that includes a mid-90′s fastball, and a developing change up and curve. 
2014 Prognosis: After a successful rookie league season, Diaz will get his shot with full season Class-A Clinton.

#12

Carson Smith – RHP
Date of Birth: October 19, 1989
Height/Weight: 6’6′, 215  lbs
Acquired: 8th round, 2011 draft
2013 Stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	GS	GF	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	BK	WP	BF	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB
2013	23	Jackson	SOUL	AA	SEA	1	3	.250	1.80	44	0	37	0	0	15	50.0	33	12	10	1	17	3	71	5	0	7	203	1.000	5.9	0.2	3.1	12.8	4.18

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/25/2013.

Analysis: Few relievers ever make top prospect list, but Smith’s potential as a closer or elite set up man merits him a spot. His minor league numbers speak for themselves, particularly the 12.8 SO/9, and are the result of power-reliever type stuff. Smith primarily works off of a mid-90′s sinker, adding in a hard slider and even the occasional change. His strange side-arm delivery adds deception to his swing-and-miss stuff, but, as MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo notes, it can also make him more erratic.
2014 Prognosis: He should start next season in Triple-A, but could be called up to the big league bullpen any time.

#11

Tyler Marlette – C
Date of Birth: January 23, 1993
Height/Weight: 5’11′, 195  lbs
Acquired: 5th round, 2011 draft
2013 Stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB
2013	20	Clinton	MIDW	A	SEA	75	297	270	36	82	17	2	6	37	10	4	24	53	.304	.367	.448	.815	121	10	3	0	0	0

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/25/2013.

Analysis: Marlette was paid well over-slot by Seattle in 2011 and has done nothing but hit since. His .304 average and .367 OBP last year were impressive, but he has always been known for his power, even if it has yet to really show up in games. He still has some work to do defensively behind the plate, but he has the arm to play the position well and he should profile as an able catcher long term
2014 Prognosis: Whether or not the Mariners push Marlette to High-A High Desert to start next season, he should be there before long. Once he’s promoted, the hitting environment that the desert air produces should lead to a great season for the young catcher.

http://gradingonthecurve.com/2013/12/25/2014-mariners-top-15-prospects/