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 breaks down why Eric Wedge is so confident about third base. Only halfway through his third season, Kyle Seager has already become the most consistent Mariner on the ball club. He plays as solid of a third base that you can find, and is hitting an encouraging .281. In the midst of this young talent producing, it is comforting knowing we have a budding star to lead the lineup over in the hot corner.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell tells us to him the best “MY oh MY” play of the eleventh week of the year had to be Mike Zunino’s first career home run. Not only did it break the tie against Oakland, but the Mariners went on to win the game, and the next one as well. Missed in this excitement for me was the amazing debut for Henry Blanco too, who hit a grand slam on Saturday for the M’s.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell brings us a brief overview on the Mariners 2013 MLB Draft selections. From pick 1 to pick 10, Clinton gives us an inside look at what these players did prior to draft day, where they may play for the rest of this season, and what the M’s plan on doing with them, as there are a couple who will be switching positions once they receive their assignments. The top 10 look pretty solid, lots of power and a few nice looking pitchers as well.
NWSB insider and Mariners blogger Jon Irwin brings us his breakdown of the Mariner’s first-round pick in the 2013 draft. With the No. 13 overall pick the M’s selected third baseman D.J. Peterson from the University of New Mexico. Peterson was arguably the purest college hitter in this year’s draft, with his bat drawing many similarities to that of Mike Zunino—Seattle’s first rounder from last year.
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 Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the Seattle Mariners nice game 1 win over the Baltimore Orioloes on Monday night. The good. Michael Saunders crushed a home run in the first inning off a left-handed pitcher. Yes, he played great in CF, adding something Endy Chavez can’t a foot of height. The bad. In AAA, Mike Zunino recorded his first hit at home this season (a triple). Can he come up yet?
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jeff Budke brings us a question for the ages; Shoppach, or Montero? Kelly Shoppach has been the more productive hitter between the two this year, but Montero is supposed to be the go to guy at the plate for the M’s. Shoppach is the better of the two behind the plate as well. Should Wedge make a move? We are still very early in the season, but, wins may be at stake here.
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 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 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 Mariners blogger Jeff Budke brings us his take on the biggest surprises of the Mariners minor league rosters to kick off 2013. Topping the list is the delegation of Mike Zunino to Triple A Tacoma, and the separation of Seattle’s “big 3″ pitching prospects. Jeremy Bonderman earns applause for his decision to stick things out in the minors. Keep your eye on Taijuan Walker, James Paxton, and Danny Hultzen in 2013 as well.
