NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Editor. Life long Oregonian, and Oregon State University grad. Raised by a dad from New Hampshire, he’s a diehard Red Sox and Patriots fan. But has assured us he's a closet Mariners fan too! Will always bleed Blazer Red and Beaver orange. Loves sports, but truly addicted to baseball. Connect w/ Jonathan today!
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NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jon Irwin breaks down the M’s top prospects and what their roles could be with the team moving forward. The top prospects are Mike Zunino, Taijuan Walker, Nick Franklin, Danny Hultzen and James Paxton. Of all the players on this list, it’s likely Nick Franklin will be the first to crack the Major League roster. It could be sooner rather than later as well.
NWSB Insider and Mariners blogger Jon Irwin reports on his predictions for the 2014 Mariners rotation. Seattle has a lot of great prospects in the pipeline, and their development is coming to a head. The 2014 rotation should look a lot different than the 2013 model. Outside of Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma, the rest of the rotation is bound for a youth-based overhaul. Even though we’re only one month into the season, 2013 already looks like another tough year for the Mariners.
NWSB blogger and Oregon State insider Jon Irwin reports on the areas he thinks OSU’s offense needs to improve in 2013. Mike Riley’s pro-style offense is deep in weapons, but it’s only effective if all the parts are working together. Without fixes to 2012′s problem areas, the team could be in for a disappointing season in 2013. Storm Woods (940 yards) was a huge reason for the turnaround, can it happen again?
NWSB insider and Mariner’s writer Jon Irwin brings us his preseason review of the Mariner’s top pitching prospects. The Big Three headline this talented list of power arms and could-be-aces. Just remember not to sleep on closer of the future Carter Capps and potential top of the rotation pitcher Brandon Maurer. While Taijuan Walker has the longest to go of any of the big three, he has the most upside as well.
NWSB insider and Mariner’s blogger Jon Irwin gives us his take on top prospect Mike Zunino, and his torrid start to the 2013 season. The minor league season is only a few games-young, but even so it’s impossible to ignore what Zunino is doing. Playing at Triple A Tacoma, Mike is currently hitting .500/.526/1.375 with three home runs in four games. While a call up could be coming sooner than later, such a move will be harder than it sounds.
NWSB insider and Beavers blogger Jon Irwin reports on the job Craig Robinson’s done this year. Once again the OSU Beavers fell short in the Pac-12, and a change could be coming. But can the Beavers afford to cut ties with the notoriety Robinson has helped bring to the table? The NCAA tournament is coming to a close, and with it another disappointing Beavers hoops season will officially be behind us.
NWSB insider and Beavers blogger Jon Irwin takes a look back at the career of senior Joe Burton, as the Beaver hoops star heads towards graduation. Burton began his Oregon State career in 2009, and will go down as one of the most beloved Beavers of all time.
NWSB insider and Mariner’s writer Jon Irwin brings us his preseason review of the Mariner’s top positional prospects. The arms make the most noise in this system, but there are plenty of big bats too. Headlining the group is last year’s first rounder Mike Zunino, but don’t sleep on the underrated Stefen Romero.
NWSB insider and Mariners blogger Jon Irwin gives his rundown of the Seattle Mariner’s defensive lineup in 2013. For a team like Seattle, defense is imperative. The team enters 2013 with an improved lineup, but pitching remains the biggest competitive advantage; meaning it needs a good defense. Headlining this year’s group of gloves is Brendan Ryan and Franklin Gutierrez.
NWSB inside and Mariners blogger Jon Irwin gives us his look at the upcoming 2013 MLB season, with four Mariners facing make-or-break seasons. Among the names are second baseman Dustin Ackley, outfielder Michael Saunders and closer Tom Wilhelmsen. He says in 2012, the Mariners saw breakout seasons from guys like Kyle Seager, Hisashi Iwakuma and Tom Wilhelmsen. It also saw the departure of guys like Brandon League and Jason Vargas.
NWSB insider Jon Irwin brings us breaking news that Husky start tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been suspended indefinitely after being charged with a DUI over the weekend. The story was originally reported by The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta. The Dawgs open their upcoming season on August 31, against Boise State.
NWSB inside and Blazers blogger Jon Irwin reports on what he thinks are the odds for Portland players to bring home top NBA honors. Leading the way is Damian Lillard, who has a great shot at the rookie of the year award. LaMarcus Aldridge has a great resume for MVP, but is a long-shot in today’s NBA.
