Seattle Mariners 2012 MLB Draft Preview

[clarknova]

The last time I wrote up a post on the draft it was September 2010 so there wasn't a ton of information for the draft that was to take place 9 months from then. If I remember correctly, not a whole lot changed and most of the guys I listed ended up being top picks. The biggest difference was probably Anthony Rendon who everyone thought would go first barring some freak occurrence. He fell to 6th, but I think that had a lot more to do with the incredible depth of the starting pitching available last June.

Honestly, last year's draft was a little (totally) disappointing for me. I had my heart set on Rendon. I had read article upon article upon blog post, and I was pretty sure I had it figured out. The Mariners were going to either take Anthony Rendon, or they were going to take prep shortstop Francisco Lindor (taken 8th by Cleveland). I saw Bubba Starling as unsignable for Seattle and didn't have the depth of knowledge to know that even though I understood the team shouldn't draft for need, what that really means is: They are going to take the best player available based on who they think has the best chance to provide value for the Mariners out of the group, but that they can sign (that part is important). Basically, if we get to #3 this year, and the top player on their board is a pitcher - there's a pretty good chance they're going to draft another starting pitcher. Now, you might say like I did last year, "WHAT?! That is the only thing we don't need!", but keep this in mind- love the move or not, if we hadn't drafted Danny Hultzen last year we probably don't do the Montero trade. Also, by most accounts Hultzen is going to be a pretty good pitcher. Also, stretching to fill a need is exactly what got Seattle Jeff Clement instead of Troy Tulowitzki who up until draft day was the Mariners' pick, even he thought he was going to Seattle.

Based on the last few drafts under scouting director Tom McNamara, the Mariners have been nothing short of incredible. While they have a ways to go to build up the depth in the system, I'd put the last 3 drafts up against any team in terms of talent obtained with what they had to work with. Walker, Franklin, and even Hultzen were head scratchers at the time. I remember reading people freaking out over the Franklin pick at a site I frequent. I'm done second guessing the Mariners and am pretty much at a place where I'm like, "Oh, the Mariners drafted him? He must be really freaking awesome." That said, I'm also pretty well done trying to guess what they're going to do. All you can really do is line up the possibilities and consider that more than likely, one of these guys is going to be wearing a Seattle Mariners jersey for a long time. That's a good thing. The down side? This year's draft is pretty weak by most accounts. If last year was a top 5 in the last 25 years, this one could shape up to be one of the worst depth wise. Without further ado, I present the top players available in the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft.

I'm only going to put these in a general order, provide some background, links, and video. I love video. I watch a ton of it and have on these guys already.

1. Lucas Giolito - RHP - Harvard Westlake High School (CA)

Giolito is a 6'6" 240lb Righty that features a wicked curveball and a fastball that was sitting comfortably at 95-96 mph with regularity and touching 100 before spraining his UCL. There are varying reports on whether or not he will play at all this year, but most expect him to miss the season. This could likely mean that he will not be drafted high enough to keep him away from UCLA, but the way he was pitching he looked like he could become the first prep pitcher taken 1st overall since Brien Taylor in 1991 so I'm keeping him on here, and also because not having him available ahead of the Mariners affects who will be available at #3, so he's here for perspective.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2012/03/how-lucas-giolitos-injury-could-affect-draft/


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3tWdrq-xpU

2. Byron Buxton - OF (R/R) - Appling County High School (GA)

This year's Bubba Starling (freak athlete with sky high upside) is speedy outfielder Byron Buxton. I've read a few Justin Upton comps thrown around, but due to his age who knows what he might become. If the power develops he might be a right handed hitting Ken Griffey Jr. He possesses lightning speed, hits for average, plays solid defense and there's power in his bat. He also plays football and pitches. He has already been contacted by the Twins (#2 overall this year) and worked out for the Orioles yesterday. I expect him to be gone at #3, but if he's still there he will likely be towards the top of their board.

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/VsddtBciGESZP4-Plbq7LQ/byron-buxton-will-forego-college-for-professional-baseball.htm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jEOvrNoBlE

3. Mark Appel - RHP - Stanford

Going into the college season the consensus top college pitcher is Stanford righty Mark Appel, and he has done nothing but dominate lately. If the draft were tomorrow and I had to guess who the top pick would be, I'd probably go with Appel. Buxton could still make a move, but Appel has been nothing short of incredible over his last few starts after a mediocre (for the hype) start. He's 6'5"/190lbs and features a mid to upper 90's fastball, + slider, and circle change with crazy movement. Three days ago he faced the 5th ranked Rice Owls and struck out 14. He retired the final 11 hitters he faced including striking out the side in the 9th. He's a junior in college and has poise, control, and polish.

http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2012/01/31/top-100-countdown-1-mark-appel-stanford/


http://vimeo.com/20126291

4. Mike Zunino - C (R/R) - Florida

Most mock drafts I have seen recently have the Mariners taking Florida Catcher Mike Zunino. Since he is projected to go to the Mariners by people that study this kind of thing (in more than an obsessive nerd manner, like me) I am projecting he won't go to the Mariners simply because part of me feels like Tom McNamara delights in confusing everyone. However, because he's getting a lot of attention at the #3 pick, I'll put a little more out here - Mike Zunino is a 6'2" 220lb Junior. He hit 19 home runs in 72 games as a sophomore and hit .371. This year he picked up right where he left off. In the 15 games of the 2012 season he is hitting .414, slugging .879 and has 7 home runs in only 58 ABs. And, though he can definitely hit his best tool might just be his defense and game calling ability. He's got incredible clubhouse leadership skills and poise. He's also well known for snapping an aluminum (composite) bat on an inside fastball at the College World Series last year and for beaning his own pitcher in the head on a throw to second (videos below. The link has a video of him hitting)

http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2012/01/30/top-100-countdown-2-mike-zunino-florida/


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjcGqeVcTqY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTNd779j-p8&feature=related
Ouch.

Best of the rest. This post will be seven miles long if I do a write up for each player. Here are some other probable top picks and some links if you're interested:

Kyle Zimmer - RHP - San Francisco - 6'3"/210 - Fastball, Curveball, Change-Up

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/2012/02/san-franciscos-kyle-zimmer-generates-early-draft-buzz/


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRnvSocmjko

Deven Marrero - SS (R/R) - Arizona State - 6'1"/175 - + defense, + speed, OBP, little power

http://diamondprospects.blogspot.com/2011/07/deven-marrero-draft-profile.html


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdVUxj92jZU

Max Fried - LHP (Hey! A southpaw!) - Harvard Westlake High School (CA) - 6'4"/180 - Fastball, Curveball, Chage-Up, + control

http://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=283256


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx5BeK3n0to

Carlos Correa - SS (R/R) - Puerto Rican Baseball Academy - 6'4"/190

http://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=279388


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxkCTTe-4m0

There aren't a whole lot of other guys I could see (or can guess) would make a push up to the third spot that aren't on this list, but here are a few other names to consider:

-Kevin Gausman - RHP - LSU
-Nick Williams - OF - Galveston Ball High School
-Michael Wacha - RHP Texas A&M
-Joey Gallo - 1B - Bishop Gorman High School
-Stephen Piscotty - 3B - Stanford
-Lance McCullers - LHP - Jesuit High School

[clarknova]

Wow... I exceeded the character limit.... Again.... What a shock. That's what happens when you put a blog post on a forum I guess. Here's the rest:



I'm going to post some links to some good sites to look at to get a better idea about these guys. I don't do any other research other than regurgitate what I've read and seen. I haven't seen any of these players live, just lots of youtube and vimeo videos and I've read a lot of scouting reports and articles and about 25 mock drafts.
Great Resources:
Prospect Insider - http://prospectinsider.com/ - If you're a Mariners fan that likes prospects and you aren't tuned in to this site, you're out of your damn mind. My favorite Mariners site.
they just posted their top 100 draft prospects and 1st mock draft.
MLB Draft Insider - http://mlbdraftinsider.com/ - Prospect Insider Alum and Mariners fan Chris Crawford runs this site. A great resource. He's already posted his 3rd draft board. Both he and PI have Zunino going to the Mariners at #3.

Other mocks:
http://www.mymlbdraft.com/MLB-Mock-Draft-2012 (prior to Giolito injury, has M's taking Buxton)
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/3/5/2844620/2012-baseball-mock-draft (M's take Zunino)
http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2012-mlb-mock-draft-3-0-now-with-supplemental-picks/16253/ (post Giolito injury, has M's taking Buxton, but also has Zunino falling to 9, which is unlikely)
http://www.pinetarpress.com/2012-mlb-draft-february-mock/ (M's take Giolito, pre-injury)
http://www.draftsite.com/#mlb (Lance McCullers)
http://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/2012-mlb-mock-draft-updated-top-15-with-final-mlb-standings/ (M's take Devin Marrero)
http://mlbdirt.com/2012/03/12/2012-mlb-mock-draft-march-edition/ (Zunino)
http://www.minorleaguerundown.com/2012/02/09/2012-mlb-mock-draft-v-1-0/ (Buxton)


The thing I've learned from last year to this year... This has suddenly taken on a very "Doogie Howser" feel... Anyway, what I've taken away from about 1,000 hours of reading between last draft and today is that the Mariners will take the best player they can get at the #3 pick. Since that pick is higher up, the chances for a starting pitcher are fairly high. Fret not though; if they do, they are just trying to get the player they think will be the most valuable player on a major league team. If we get Zunino, rest assured Tom McNamara thinks he's the best player there. If he passes and picks someone else- he's decided that there's another player that could be better. Tom's motto for the draft is "win every round". He takes the same mentality from the first round into every round and tries to beat all the other teams to the best player, and he's good at it. The future is bright and the random, sometimes wacky picks are causing less of a furrowed brow on my face and more of shrug and a smile.

[JosephC]

Thanks for putting this together clarknova! Boy, those throws by Byron Buxton are incredible. It's like the Ichiro Laser. I think he'd fit well with our club :). Does Giolito have good control? It seems like lots of his pitches shown in the video were not hitting the mark. There were some great pitches too (1:19 for example), but the command seems to be lacking.

Off topic: Why do the M's always get hooked with guys who break Aluminum Bats? Ackley, and now projected for Zunino.

[Mariners51]

Do we draft best available talent, or take a bat with a system already stacked with arms?

[Igoe4Mariners]

I'm sorry, but I laughed my ass off at the Florida pitcher that got knocked out. The way he was laying there was hilarious (knowing that he is now OK of course).

Great stuff clarknova.

I have to say I'm leaning towards the Buxton kid right now based on this. Kid is uber-talented!

[clarknova]

Does Giolito have good control?

Giolito has above average control, but his calling card is the fastball/curveball combo. He's in high school and was hitting triple digits on radar guns. He could be insanely good. However, now that he's hurt his arm I don't see the Mariners reaching for him. He most likely won't go in the top part of the draft due to injury concern so I could see a team stretching for him, but they'd have to probably pay top 5 money to keep him from going to college and regaining some of his draft value. IMO. Appel is the control pitcher.


Do we draft best available talent, or take a bat with a system already stacked with arms?

I believe they will take the best (in the opinion of Tom McNamara and Jack Z) sign-able player available at the 3rd pick. If that player is a pitcher, they'll take him. However, it looks a lot to me like that player won't be a pitcher. It's hard to tell with the Mariners, because they don't agree with a lot of the "experts" out there that take guesses at picks, with the exception of Dustin Ackley. Almost nobody had the Mariners taking Danny Hultzen. So, it wouldn't surprise me if the pick is a surprise to everyone outside of the draft room. I know it seems crazy with the lack of hitting depth and possibly the best trio of young pitchers in all of the minor leagues to take a pitcher, but say they take Appel at #3. Now you bring Paxton up late this summer, let him pitch to big league hitters and maybe package him for a bat. In the draft, it's not so much about filling needs as it is about finding gems that you can then add to your team, or trade to another.

All of that said, the top of my wish list starts with Byron Buxton and goes directly to the nice consolation prize of Mike Zunino.

[JosephC]

They are going to take the best player available based on who they think has the best chance to provide value for the Mariners out of the group, but that they can sign (that part is important). Basically, if we get to #3 this year, and the top player on their board is a pitcher - there's a pretty good chance they're going to draft another starting pitch

This is the way every team should draft. No reason to settle for less than the best with a high draft pick just because they "believe" a player is close to being major league ready. Jeff Clement is a perfect example of what can happen:

The Seattle scouts were smitten by Tulowitzki, too. Tulowitzki told FOXSports.com contributor Tracy Ringolsby that Seattle had planned to take him until the night before the draft.What changed?
“They said they had a shortstop in the organization, but no catchers, and therefore that made the pick easy,” Tulowitzki said.
And of course to hurt the pain more, there is Josh Fields who was going to be practically major-league ready. I would never draft for a position either, I'm glad Z and company is doing it this way.

[clarknova]

LOL! Josh Fields... That was so freaking stupid. Drafting a relief pitcher in the first round?! That's like drafting a long snapper in the first round of the NFL draft.

Here's a link to a really good interview with Mariners Scouting Director (the draft picker) Tom McNamara:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/tom-mcnamara-scouting-the-mariners-draft/

This bit really speaks to their strategy in the draft:


“I’ve been around a lot of baseball people — I have 19 years of experience in this business — and one thing I’ve learned is that you don’t want to draft for need. You also don’t want to not take the guy you really want to take. My philosophy is to take the best guy, whether he’s a hitter or a pitcher.

“If you take a shortstop in the first round, and a shortstop is the best player available when your pick comes up in the second round, do you pass on that guy? What if you take someone else and that second-round shortstop — a guy you knew you wanted to take — becomes an All-Star? You’ll pull your hair out.

“When you get locked in on a player, you have to make sure you’re looking into the future. That’s a big part of scouting. A lot of people want instant success, but not a many guys you draft are going to give you that. Baseball is different than the other sports. In the NFL, you don’t draft a player and send him to the minor leagues for three years. Baseball is a tomorrow sport.

[mike k]

Buxton looks like a solid pick...4 to 5 in the minors needed..I hope that our trio of prospects paxton, tjw, and dh get a bunch more high minor starts before being called up..on the draft pick the best talent available..they are still at least a couple or more years out...oh on short stops and 3 rd baseman..draft on those abilities ,, all the mlb clubs have multiple ss 3b.. that "might be better at 2 b...just my thoughts

[MontanaMariner]

I'd like to see more of Zuzino actually hitting instead of breaking an aluminum bat and hitting a pitcher in the head.

[clarknova]

I'd like to see more of Zuzino actually hitting instead of breaking an aluminum bat and hitting a pitcher in the head.

Click the link right below where it says "The link has a video of him hitting".

Also Youtube: "Mike Zunino".

[MontanaMariner]

Click the link right below where it says "The link has a video of him hitting".

Also Youtube: "Mike Zunino".

Ok thank you

[clarknova]

The way things are shaping up, Buxton is looking less and less available at the third pick. He's done nothing but prove that he is the best prep bat available by far and Keith Law just tweeted that he's pitching today and was up to 93 mph.

I know Minnesota loves him, and I woudn't be surprised to see him gone at two.

[Felix = Cy Young]

Damnit I want Buxton

[JosephC]

Visiting Oregon took
advantage of four Stanford errors that led to four unearned runs Friday as athe
Ducks took a 4-1 win in 10 innings in a series opener at Sunken Diamond.

The fifth-ranked Cardinal (22-7, 4-6
Pac-12) wasted a 13-strikeout performance from ace Mark Appel.

In a game that saw both starters go nine innings

http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_20395236/cardinal-wastes-another-fine-appel-effort
Not too shabby!

[clarknova]

Baseball America released their mock draft today and has it going:

1. Mark Appel - Houston Astros
2. Byron Buxton - Minnesota Twins
3. Mike Zunino - Seattle Mariners

It is also noted that Seattle is believed to be high on Buxton and Puerto Rican shortstop Carlos Correa, which I have read elsewhere. Still think they take a pitcher because they don't care what anyone thinks (that's a slightly still bitter about last year's build up comment), and I still think Buxton goes #1.

Here's a link to the mock (it's free):
http://ht.ly/aPNSO

[Igoe4Mariners]

Correa! Though Zunino wouldn't be a bad pick either.

[Nateyb24]

Correa! Though Zunino wouldn't be a bad pick either.

I would rather go Correa as well but i think Z will go for the safer bet in Zunino.

[clarknova]

Well, we're less than a week away and the "specumation" (trademarked) is running wild! I follow the draft, as you may have surmised, pretty closely. I troll for speculation and updates almost every day, so for those of you who are interested. Here is the latest:

Basically nobody knows very much and due to the tight lipped nature of some of the top teams in the draft, this could be interesting. The Astros front office is like the Mariners front office, they say very little and any information on where they are leaning is either third hand, or a total guess. Jeff Luhnow, their new GM, is smart. He worked on many very successful St. Louis Cardinals drafts, and their Scouting Director (their Tom McNamara) is Bobby Heck who cut his teeth for 8 years as the East Coast Scouting Supervisor working under Jack Z for the Milwaukee Brewers. They know what they're doing. It seems like there are an almost equal number of sources that are saying, "don't be surprised if they decide against Appel and take Buxton" as there are saying "don't be surprised if they decide against Buxton and take Appel". Most feel it will be one of those two with Carlos Correa as a dark horse as he is shooting up draft boards and is Kevin Goldstein's (Baseball Prospectus) #1 ranked talent in the draft:
Link to free article:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=17173

That is not a draft board, but just who he thinks are the BPA's, in order. Very interesting. He has it - Correa, Giolito, Buxton in order of prospects 1-3 (all prep players).
Incidentally, Goldstein also wrote an article recently stating that the #1 pitching prospect in the country right now was not Dylan Bundy, but Tiajuan Walker.

Many of the guys I follow are huge on "ceiling". They always rank prep players super high based on what they could become, and not what they are. They scoff at stats and focus on scouting almost entirely.

Keith Law is sort of the top of the ladder of these guys (along with Jim Callis of Baseball America). He is ESPN's #1 baseball prospect guy and #1 ranked smart ass condescending Twitter reply guru. He is well connected, well respected and was offered a job in Houston's front office in the off season that he declined. Two major reasons why Mariners fans sometimes scoff at him: He had us taking Rendon last year, and he was one of the leading proponents of the idea that Dustin Ackley could not become a league average second baseman, and also recently his radio spots and prospect rankings where he basically says the M's are ridiculous for playing Montero at catcher. At all. Ever.

He thinks Houston is going to take Mark Appel, but he thinks they are on the fence about taking Buxton (the common conception, and it's probably true). His latest mock draft is, as almost everything he writes, behind a subscriber wall at ESPN.com that I refuse to pay for. The mock before this he had the Mariners taking Giolito and was apparently working off some inside information because in the publically viewable intro to the latest mock he says:

At the moment, I don't have a team taking California prep right-hander Lucas Giolito, who missed most of the spring with a minor elbow sprain, but I wouldn't interpret that to mean he won't go in the first round. (I had the Mariners taking him at No. 3 overall in my first mock draft, but I'm now hearing Seattle is no longer interested.)
So, he's taken Giolito out completely. He has the Mariners taking Zunino after the Twins select Buxton. I'm getting the feeling that the projections for the Mariners taking Zunino are based on more than just "he makes sense". Most of the guys (professional baseball writers) who put up a top talent board and a mock draft have Zunino not at #3 talent-wise, but still have the Mariners picking him. I can't see what Law says about the pick, but he's doing two more mocks before the draft. One Friday and one on Monday. Things will start to pick up regarding rumors and such between now and then. Not that it means much but Buxton's agent says he will be shocked if Houston doesn't draft him. I've read that Law thinks Buxton is the #1 player on the Mariners draft board, but it looks like he thinks he's on the top of Minnesota's as well. Correa is the real wild card in this.

Both Jason Churchill (prospectinsider.com) and Chris Crawford (mlbdraftinsider.com) have the Mariners taking Zunino as well, but that would make sense as they both work for ESPN on prospects and likely are getting their information from the same place Keith Law is. It should be noted however, that Keith Law was pretty sure that the Mariners were taking Rendon last year, and that Churchill- working on some inside information had them taking Francisco Lindor. The Mariners do NOT tip their hand.

I'm sure Zunino would be an above average hitter at a position that is hard to find an above average hitter. Let's be honest, who is the last decent bat the Mariners have had at catcher? Dan Wilson? Is he the ONLY one EVER? But, the lack of home run power is what makes me less enthusiastic. I'll be fine if they pick him, but this is my draft wish list:

1. Buxton
2. Correa
3. Giolito
4. Zunino
5. Appel

Any of those guys will be fine. Something (history) tells me it'll be Gausman or some other left field pick.

[clarknova]

Also, although I can't read this one either, Jim Callis from Baseball America has it the same way Law does: 1. Appel, 2. Buxton, 3. Zunino. Also, MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has the same order. That one is free. Here's a link:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120524&content_id=32149024&c_id=mlb&vkey=news_mlb

[Igoe4Mariners]

I want Buxton or Correa.

Zunino is what he is. A solid player with an above average bat compared to his position, but I don't see him being a stand out, impact guy in the majors.

Buxton and Correa provide that potential star power if given the appropriate time and, providing that they live up to their potential, could be what we've been missing for so long.

That said, I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if we take another top pitcher because that seems like something Z would do.

[Nateyb24]

If Correa and Buxton are both off the board then i think we should go pitcher as well.

[clarknova]

Prospect Insider has posted their projected (guessed) Mariners draft board, or in other words- who the Mariners will take at #3, in order if available. The top three are Buxton, Zunino, Correa. Now, this information is based on sources, but also is postulation as nobody outside the front office really knows for sure. The first pitcher listed is at #4 on their board so PI is pretty confident they'll take a hitter. They think the M's covet Buxton but don't think he'll be there, and that the only way they take Correa is if Buxton and Zunino go 1, 2, which is unlikely.

The deal with Zunino is that where as he may not have the ceiling the other two do, the only think keeping him from being a major league player is a catastrophic injury. So, the question is- do you roll the dice and take a teenager with tools that MAY be the next Griffey, or the next A-Rod, or do you take the guy who almost assuredly will be the next Buster Posey or Jason Varitek. When you look at it like that, Zunino looks pretty good. He has power, but not 30 homer power. He'll probably be an above average bat and will stick at catcher where his defense is rated very highly. He's also a clubhouse leader where I think a lot of the Varitek comps come from. Varitek was a hurting scene at the tail end of his career but in his prime he was a plus bat, top tier catcher, and clubhouse leader on a championship team. That is extremely hard to come by.

The prep players could be great, but I think it's important to remember that those projections and comps are HIGHLY unstable, and it is statistically much more likely that those guys are only average players at best (J.D. Drew). You're really rolling the dice a bit, and I think that's why a lot of writers and speculators have the Mariners taking Zunino. They can't afford to miss at the top of the draft. They haven't yet, but they need to hit on all their top picks if they want to survive. Also important to note that Buxton and Correa are not seen as sure fire superstars like Griffey, Strasburg, A-Rod, and Harper. They could be, but they could also be:

Jeff Jackson- Taken #4 overall in 1989 by PHI, never made it past AA
Chris Gruler- Taken #3 overall in 2003 by CIN, spent 4 seasons in the minors and was out of baseball
Mike Stodolka- Taken #4 overall in 2000 by KC, 8 years in the minors- gave up in 2008
Mark Merchant- Taken #2 overall in 1987 by PIT, one pick after Griffey, spent 11 years in the minors
B.J. Garbe- Taken #5 overall in 1999 by MIN, never made it past AA
Corey Myers- Taken #4 overall in 1999 by AZ, switched positions 3 times, was traded, never played a major league game

These are all top 5 pick high school players that sucked, there are many more highly touted players that were can't misses and projected to be stars, and had comps to hall of famers- Brien Taylor, etc. but my point is that it's really risky. There are a ton of college players that did the same but college players are easier to project because they're going up against much better competition and they're going to probably be faster to the majors. Correa or Buxton will not see the majors for at LEAST two full seasons, more than likely. Zunino could be the Mariners starting catcher on opening day 2014.

I know eyes can get wide (mine do) when looking at Buxton or Correa, but Zunino would still be a good, and much less risky pick. Doesn't change the fact that I'd take Buxton and Correa first if it were my pick. Just that Zunino would be rad to have as well.

Here's a link to a good and lengthy article about the Mariners draft strategy from their website. Nothing new, but a nice read. Oh, and I disagree with Brandon Bantz being the fastest riser in the system at catcher. My money is on 2011 16th round pick Jack Marder.

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120531&content_id=32550326&vkey=news_sea&c_id=sea

[clarknova]

I think it's going to come down to Zunino or Correa. I think Buxton will be gone. Because of that, they'll probably take a pitcher or someone that I've never thought to look at as a viable pick at #3, like Corey Seager.

[Igoe4Mariners]

Cor-re-a! Cor-re-a! Take a risk, Z!

[clarknova]

Byron Buxton pitched today in the Georgia AA high school state championship and struck out 18 hitters.

[Igoe4Mariners]

Byron Buxton pitched today in the Georgia AA high school state championship and struck out 18 hitters.

Good God.

:eek:

[Nateyb24]

Ill trust Z with whatever but i will be really disappointed if we take Zunino over Correa.

[clarknova]

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus released a top 10 teaser for his Monday mock draft and has the Mariners taking Carlos Correa at #3. This is the first professional baseball writer I've seen mocking Correa to Seattle. Here's a link:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=17221

[clarknova]

The most annoying rumor I've seen is that the Mariners are on LHP Andrew Heaney, who probably wouldn't even be a first round pick in last year's draft. Keith Law has mentioned this connection. If they did pick Heaney, it would seriously test my ability to be objective about their decision. Danny Hultzen was jaw dropping for me. Andrew Heaney... Who's basically Danny Hultzen light (lefty control pitcher) would be chair throwing.

[Igoe4Mariners]

The most annoying rumor I've seen is that the Mariners are on LHP Andrew Heaney, who probably wouldn't even be a first round pick in last year's draft. Keith Law has mentioned this connection. If they did pick Heaney, it would seriously test my ability to be objective about their decision. Danny Hultzen was jaw dropping for me. Andrew Heaney... Who's basically Danny Hultzen light (lefty control pitcher) would be chair throwing.

That would be lame as shit

[206HoopsFan]

If Buxton slips to us I'll scream like a school girl.

[clarknova]

If Buxton slips to us I'll scream like a school girl.

And, if Buxton slips to us and we take someone else, I'll scream like a school girl on fire.

[clarknova]

Per twittersphere "report", the Houston Astros are going to select Appel #1. If true, one of either Buxton or Correa will be there when the Mariners pick. I've also read that the Twins are big on Gausman, which may or may not be dependent on Buxton going #1. Also, the Mariners secrecy is driving Kevin Goldstein crazy. Says he has no idea what they intend to do and when asked what front offices are most secretive he said San Francisco and Seattle. Should be interesting tomorrow!!

[206HoopsFan]

Per twittersphere "report", the Houston Astros are going to select Appel #1. If true, one of either Buxton or Correa will be there when the Mariners pick. I've also read that the Twins are big on Gausman, which may or may not be dependent on Buxton going #1. Also, the Mariners secrecy is driving Kevin Goldstein crazy. Says he has no idea what they intend to do and when asked what front offices are most secretive he said San Francisco and Seattle. Should be interesting tomorrow!!

Can't wait. At least we have a good scouting department that hasn't dropped the ball year after year like the Bevasi regime.

[Igoe4Mariners]

Can't wait!

[JosephC]

Please be Buxton, but I'm guessing he will be gone within the 1st 2 picks.

[Igoe4Mariners]

If we draft a pitcher, it better be a flamethrower and not this Healey guy. I don't want Danny Hultzen lite the year after we drafted him.

[Nateyb24]

If we draft a pitcher, it better be a flamethrower and not this Healey guy. I don't want Danny Hultzen lite the year after we drafted him.

Agreed by everything i have read and heard Heaney would be a reach at 3 and is not even close to the pitcher Hultzen was when we selected him.

[JosephC]

So far, Hultzen has turned out better than Garrit Cole. Hard to compare because of the age difference though.

[Nateyb24]

So far, Hultzen has turned out better than Garrit Cole. Hard to compare because of the age difference though.

About a year apart Hultzen seems to be much more polished then Cole though.

[Nateyb24]

There has been some discussion about what the Mariners spent in signing some of their top-10 draft picks in recent weeks and how that would carry over to the inking of No. 1 draft pick (third overall) Mike Zunino of the University of Florida.

In fact, there has been speculation that parameters were already in place for what the M's and Zunino would agree to -- given the new draft spending rules and the limits in place for what teams can spend on all of their picks combined.

My sources tell me that is indeed the case and that Zunino should be signing with the Mariners shortly, though it might not happen until early July. The only thing holding up the process -- besides his recent participation in the College World Series -- are two award ceremonies he has to attend where he is either the winner of a top prize or a finalist.

Zunino is a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award for the top catcher in NCAA Division 1 baseball, coming up on Wednesday night in Wichita, Kan. He's already been announced the winnert of the Dick Howser Trophy, considered by many as the top award in collegiate baseball,

Then, there is the Golden Spikes Award coming up on July 6. Zunino is a finalist for that prize -- given to the top amateur ballplayer in the country -- which will be broadcast live on ESPN.

The All-Star Game is coming up a few days after that, so the Mariners are trying to figure out when to get everything finalized and a physical done so they can get Zunino up here to be introduced to the Seattle media.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2018528658_expect_the_mariners_to_announc.html