NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB insider and Mariners blog Jon Irwin discussions reasonable expectations for top M’s prospect Mike Zunino. The catcher dominated the minors in a short 2012 stint, but it’s time to dial back enthusiasm. The kid still has a long way to go before he’ll be hitting bombs at the Major League level. With a promising core of young and talented players, the Seattle Mariners have one of the brightest futures in the MLB.
NWSB insider and Mariners blog Jon Irwin reports on five impact prospects who could break Spring Training with the Seattle Mariners in 2013. Topping the list are well known top prospects such as Danny Hultzen and Nick Franklin. But if you don’t know the names of Carter Capps and Stefen Romero, it could be time to learn them.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Britton Ransford tells us the season long sophomore slump that Dustin Ackley has been going through in 2012. With Ackley tearing the cover off the ball in every level prior to the big leagues, this is cause for concern for the Mariners. Ackley has a new found fondness of striking out that never has plagued him before in his career, and his OBP, and Slugging numbers are down from last year as well.
New NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Jared Galde tells us a little bit about the MLB center field position today. He asks the million dollar question. Has Michael Saunders earned the starting center field spot in Franklin Gutierrez’s absence? After a slow start, Saunders batting average is .330. What Gutierrez provides defensively in center field is undeniable.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson reports on the Mariners possible 2012 trade rumors and player desitinations. Brendan Ryan, Blake Beavan, Kevin Milwood, Jason Vargas are the four most possible players to end up on different teams in 2012. Looking at the M’s roster, unlike in years past there isn’t a lot there to entice a team to give up a high profile prospect for.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Clinton Bell weighs in with some M’s roster news this week. Shawn Kelley has been moved back to the big league bullpen from Tacoma. To make room for Kelley, fellow reliever Erasmo Ramirez was sent down to Tacoma in a move that skipper Eric Wedge says is to condition him for a possible emergency starter role with the big league club.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson weigh in with a message for Mariners GM Jack Zdrunzik and skipper Eric Wedge M’s fans, like them or hate them Danny want to hear from you. Give him your M’s roster suggestions below in the comments section. Danny will respond, let’s get the debate going. Call up Shawn Kelley, move Hector Noesi to the pen.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson points out over the offseason, the Mariners repeatedly indicated the team wish list to improve and compete in the AL West. A left handed reliever, a catcher, and a veteran presence. Danny now questions why the Mariners would NOT want to pursue Johnny Damon. Is it money? His value in that case alone could make him worth picking up.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson points out the one bright point was the Mariners minor league player of the year in 2011, 23 year old, Vinnie Catricala. Vinnie played in two leagues last year, starting off for A High Dessert before being promoted to AA Jackson Generals. If there is one thing that the Mariners need, it is offense. By the end of 2011 his batting average leveled off to a mere .349.
NWSB insider Danny Ferguson tells us If the Mariners ever need to dip into the PAST to grab an all-star team, he would choose these 5 guys. Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Alvin Davis, and Jay Buhner. He wishes some of them were still a part of the team, in their prime – ready to play. So to do the Seattle Mariners of 2012.
NWSB insider Matt Larkin explains how the Seattle Mariners are looking to pursue Grady Sizemore. Would it be a good move to make for the Mariners? The bigger concern with Sizemore: he’s a Seattle boy, born and raised. That means that the Mariners might be tempted to sign him.
