NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jordin Ereth weighs in on the up and coming prospect in the Mariners prospect system Brad Miller. Jordan says Miller has quietly become a favorite for call-up consideration, and he made quite the impression on Eric Wedge this spring. Wedge praised the young shortstop before their final spring contest, saying “We look at him as a true short stop.”
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Brandon Choate gives us his weekly M’s pitching breakdown in the arms under the spotlight segment. Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma are pacing the other startes while Tom Wilhelmsen has been perfect in closingh situations. Kameron Loe and Brandon Maurer on the other hand would like to start this season over already. Loe is a Cub, now we get Aaron Harang, we’ll see how he does.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell tells us to him the best “MY oh MY” play of the second week of the year had to be Felix Hernandez striking out David Murphy for the 1,500th strikeout of his career. We are now on to milestone watch number two for Felix, his 100th win. The strikeout plateau is nice, but this game boils down to wins, and Felix’s next will be number 100. But until then, let us bask in the glory of Felix for a moment, and hope this season bring a lot more wins and strikeouts for the man.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke reports on the fourteenth game of the season versus the Texas Rangers. Jeff points out the bad. There are too many players on this team slugging their batting average or close to it. It is a terrible thing. He points out the good. Felix Hernandez pitched irregularly poor, but then Hisashi Iwakuma pitched a gem on Friday, and Joe Saunders is making me look foolish, and now Brandon Maurer bounced back.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell is here to ask the question; who will step up with both Michael Saunders, and Michael Morse out for the Mariners? Of course the obvious choices are Jason Bay, and Raul Ibanez. But the Mariners actually want to win games don’t they? The numbers lost with the Mikes far out numbers what we get in return with the two veteran replacements. Not to mention the rest of the team seems to be afraid of the ball with runners in scoring position.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke reports on the eleventh game of the season versus the Texas Rangers. Jeff points out Franklin Gutierrez continued his good start with another lead-off HR, his fourth of the year and third leading off. Justin Smoak and Jesus Montero each had two hits, unfortunately they were not when the team needed them most with the bases loaded and less than 2-outs, but at least they got hits Thursday. It’s a start right?
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke reports on the tenth game of the season versus the Houston Astros. Jeff points out pitching is a major problem with this M’s team right now. He says a pitcher should be evaluated over time, perhaps every month within a season, but it is hard to avoid that when Brandon Maurer & then Blake Beavan put the bullpen and the offense in bad positions playing with different mindsets. Is Aaron Harang the answer?
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 Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke brings us his top five most positive aspects of the Jack Zduriencik & Eric Wedge era here in Seattle. Of course you can’t mention these two guys, and the Mariners in the same sentence without bringing up the great rebuild of the century. There sure have been plenty of moves, but it seems that we are finally on the right path here in Seattle. From the farm system to the trades, Jack Z has us on our way.
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 Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke reports on game number eight this season Monday night’s home opener versus the Houston Astro’s. Kendrys Morales is in need of some props for his performances since the Oakland series. In his last 4 games, Morales is 8-16 and hitting extremely well with RISP, adding a HR and 5 RBI for the M’s. Was Joe Saunders’ performance a sing of things to come? M’s Opening Night is always a GREAT time.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell tells us to him the best “MY oh MY” play of the first week of the year had to be the two homerun performance of Mariners OF, Michael Morse. Morse went deep in the 3rd, and 9th innings, en route to a 4 RBI game, and his first two homeruns on the year. A free agent signing that already seems to be paying off for Jack Z and the M’s
