As you may have seen in the Shout Box, the original MarinersTalk.com Hero, Vinnie Catricala (Talk40 #10), is gone ... to the Oakland A's of all places.
Vinnie put up three consecutive years of excellent stats, then "lost it." I kept believing, just as I had with Michael Saunders, but, by the time he started showing signs of "finding it," he had been passed by so many guys that he couldn't hold his spot on the 40-man roster.
I understand that's how things work, and I don't disagree that he'd become the lowest guy on the pecking order, but I think that losing both Catricala and Carp for not particularly powerful reasons is certainly a strike against the Zduriencik regime.
Anyway ... good luck to Vinnie.
AAA -- Las Vegas 7, Tacoma 1 -- Box
As bad as the final score looks, it was not the fault of Brandon Maurer (Talk40 #9), who actually made a good case for getting another shot at the majors.
Maurer: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
But he got no offensive help whatsoever (0 XBH), and his bullpen failed him as well (Lucas Luetge: 1.0 IP, 4 ER).
High-A -- Inland Empire 3, High Desert 0 -- Box
The Mavericks left their offense in the locker room as well. They got one XBH, a double, only two walks, and struck out 12 times.
Jordan Pries (26intheMix) was OK: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K.
Chris Taylor (Talk40 #28) did steal his 19th bag, putting him back in a tie with Jamal Austin for the organizational lead.
Low-A -- Wisconsin 11, Clinton 9 -- Box
At least the LumberKings produced some offense, but they still didn't get in the win column.
Marcus Littlewood (Talk40 #37) was the offensive star: single, home run, walk. Taylor Ard (Talk40 #32), who's been heating up, also homered, as did Jordy Lara.
Teen Titan Gabriel Guerrero (Talk40 #16) got his 13th double, plus a single and a walk.
The 2013 pitching debut of Charles Kaalekahi (26intheMix) was nothing special: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. He didn't get bailed out by his bullpen either.
Looking Ahead
Jackson was suspended in the 2nd inning, down 3-0. They'll try to finish that one and get in another game. Chance Ruffin (Watch List) is on tap for the second game.
It looks like the first draft signings are starting to trickle in. 22nd rounder tommy burns and 29th rounder chantz Mack have signed per their twitter accounts and tyler oneil and Corey Simpson are both in seattle presumably to sign their deals as well
He's not dawdling AT ALL. "Im a Seattle Mariner , I am so excited to get started for their organization and be successful on and off the field!!"
That was right after the draft, and now he's here. Glad to hear it. The teens are the ones who can push this draft over the top, and we drafted precious few of them, so every one that signs is another chance at top-shelf talent.
Tyler O'Neill is as ready as I was hoping he was, as well. "Couldn't be more ready to sign my first professional contract and get this show on the road."
Thanks Kyle for keepin' us abreast! Twitter is really making things more up-to-the minute. The teams used to announce signings in 20-player blocks. This is better. ;)
~G
10th rounder as well. He says he'll be heading to Pulaski
9th rounder Zokan heading to Pulaski and 5th rounder Reinheimer signing as well
They don't have leverage. If they want to play pro ball they'll take what we offer. I expect the seniors to all sign easily. It's the juniors and especially teens that are harder. Sexton's going to school (as expected), no word from Lachlan Fontaine, and Corey Ray is all about Louisville so I don't see him signing for the few hundred K we can push his way.
Fontaine is the only one left that I think we have a shot at, but if we can get O'Neill, Simpson, Littell and Fontaine to add to Peterson and (in theory) Austin, at least that's a nice group with some quality upside to it.
Sign Fry and add them to the cadre of relief arms/lefties and call it a draft.
Easy, right?
~G
I can't find a college commitment for Fontaine so I would think he would be singable unless I just missed it somewhere. I'm hoping Snyder might consider signing since he'd have the chance to play with his bro. BA had him rated as a 9th rounder and he is committed to salt lake CC so maybe for a couple hundred grand and his brother as a roommate can convince him to sign
Keep 'em coming if you got 'em!
Austin Wilson @AustinHWilson6 Jun
Honestly, one of the best days of my life. So grateful that the mariners drafted me. #Mariners
Austin Wilson @AustinHWilson9 Jun
@godj33 congrats my dude! Looking forward to playing alongside you boss! #mariners
DJ Peterson @godj339 Jun
@AustinHWilson I agree going to be fun my man. Long road ahead of us! #gomariners
If everybody signs and we can turn Austin Wilson into that Stanton type that his tools get comped to... yeesh. I'm not listening to the game tonight - anybody confirm that Tank O'Neill and Corey Simpson signed today with them both being in Seattle?
With several of the teens looking like they'll sign in the next couple of days, if the top college hitters do as well I'll be pretty satisfied. It seemed weird to draft only a few players with serious upside in the first 30 rounds, but signing all of those high-potential guys would put a smile on my face for sure. Kudos to the Ms if they drafted all the guys they could sign and make it happen.
~G
Littel just signed so there we go.
Littell signed, per Callis: https://twitter.com/jimcallisBA/status/344448776716558337
Dj Peterson is in town and will sign tomorrow, seager is in town as is oneil, mariners getting these guys in quick, I like it.
Wow. That's phenomenal. Means he gets an extra month in the minors this year, which I'll absolutely take, and we'll know exactly how much money we have left to spend. Should make signing Wilson easier since we won't have to wait til the last minute to resolve our only higher-ticketed draftee.
Very impressive on both sides.
~G
Drayer reports that Peterson is in Seattle and "will hit on the field" tomorrow, and she will have an interview with him. She didn't actually say he'd be signing, but with all that, it seems pretty obvious.
And here's the Seager boys:
According to his twitter a few days ago, he's doing finals. Hopefully he's up to Seattle and signs at the end of the week and Everett has a full roster by their first home game on Monday. Right now they have 10 position players listed - think they're holding some places? Tyler Olsen is listed on the pitching staff, so it's pretty current.
My son is just finishing up school and will be heading to Safeco in the near future to sign. We as a family are big Mariner fans and make the trek down quite often for games and just to take in the beautiful sights of your city, ours now. We are so proud of our boy and want to thank our local scout Wayne Norton and cross checker Brian Williams for making Lachlan's and our dreams come true. Proud papa.
:- )
We've been pranked quite a few times, people presenting themselves as anybody from Peter Gammons to Ken Griffey Jr., so please bear with us ;- )
If you were so inclined Mr. Fontaine you could drop us a line (jeffclarke238@comcast.net) for a quick back-channel hello and obviously the community here would be thrilled to learn from you whenever you were in the mood to comment.
...........
In any case, Gordon, Spec, you want to do a Lachlan Fontaine POTD? Or maybe I should?
http://www.nsnews.com/sports/Fontaine+takes+ball/8306506/story.html
Former Vancouver police officer.
But we're still glad to have you at SSI, Mr. Fontaine! Your son is part of a formidible B.C. crew forming in the Mariner org.
I know you all wish I was he but I am just a retired police Inspector out of West Vancouver. It has been fun though as I have been mistaken for the other Bob in emails back and forth to scouts about my son. He is a real popular guy, very well liked by all I have spoken to. As I said before it is so great that Lachlan was fortunate enough to join your big family down south.