Mariners top prospects 2022: Julio Rodriguez and Noelvi Marte top Seattle's farm system

Thu, Jan 13, 2022
MLB News (AP)

Mariners top prospects 2022: Julio Rodriguez and Noelvi Marte top Seattle's farm system

Major League Baseball's owners may have locked out the players, triggering the league's first work stoppage since 1994-95 and bringing the offseason to a halt, but that doesn't mean we're letting it derail our typical offseason plans. Indeed, AP Sports is in the process of highlighting the top three prospects for all 30 teams, as well as naming the top 50 prospects in the minors, regardless of team affiliation.

That journey finds us today focusing on the Seattle Mariners' farm system.

Do note that these lists are formed after conversations with scouts, analysts, and player development folks from around the league. There is personal bias baked in, as one would expect from subjective exercises, so some disagreement is to be expected.

Now, onto the gasbaggery.

1. Julio Rodriguez, OF, No. 3 on the top 20

Rodriguez fits the right-field prototype with a middle-of-the-order offensive projection and a strong arm. He has well-above-average power and a better feel for contact than most with this profile. Indeed, Rodriguez struck out in just 18 percent of his plate appearances during his 46-game introduction to Double-A last season, an impressive piece of business for someone who can't legally drink until Dec. 29. The Mariners have shown they're more than willing to manipulate the service time of their top prospects to save a buck, suggesting they'll likely do the same thing with Rodriguez. Nonetheless, he should debut in the majors before the season is out.

2. Noelvi Marte, SS, No. 11 on the top 20

Marte, who recently celebrated his 20th birthday, spent most of 2021 in a league where the average player was two years his senior. It didn't matter, as he batted .271/.368/.462 with 17 home runs and another 24 doubles. Scouts are projecting Marte to grow into a plus hitter thanks to his hands and the natural loft in his swing. The concerns with his game revolve around his defensive position. He has the arm strength to stick on the left side, but he might have to slide over to third base. Marte's offensive forecast is such that he'll still rank highly even if that proves to be the case.

3. George Kirby, RHP

The Mariners chose Kirby with the 20th pick in the 2019 draft, making him the highest-selected player ever from Elon University. He's since rewarded their faith by developing into one of the best pitching prospects in the sport. Kirby split last season across High- and Double-A, posting a 2.53 ERA and a 5.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He's more than a statistical wonder; he's upped his velocity without sacrificing control (he's walked fewer than two batters per nine innings as a professional) or the sheer breadth of his arsenal. His combination of stuff and polish should allow him to become the first of a few incoming arms to debut for the Mariners.

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