Seattle Mariners Top 5 Draft Picks Recap

June 19, 2018 Joe Rush AL West, General, Mariners, MiLB, MLB Draft 1

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The 2018 Mariners draft acknowledged the overwhelming sentiment that there are not many players close to being MLB ready in their system after selecting only college players with their first ten picks. In fact, after drafting right handed pitcher Damon Casetta-Stubbs out of King’s Way Christian High School in the 11th round they didn’t select another prep player until round 35. With Saturday’s signing announcement of first round pick Logan Gilbert all but one of the M’s top then picks have come to agreements with the club. Below is a recap of the top 5 selections:

 

Round 1 – Logan Gilbert, RHP – Stetson

The hard throwing right handed pitcher became the highest selection every to come out of Stetson, a school that has produced major leaguers Corey Kluber and Jacob deGrom. If he comes anywhere close to matching the results of these two alumni this draft will be considered a huge success for Seattle. Selected 14th overall and standing 6’6, Gilbert led Stetson to the College World Series Super Regionals before falling to North Carolina. Possessing a 4 pitch arsenal with a fastball that hits 97 MPH, he projects as potential #2 starter in the majors. He will be assigned to short season Everett though he isn’t expected to pitch much considering he pitched 112 1/3 innings this year.

Round 2 – Josh Stowers, OF – Louisville

The 54th overall pick came as a surprise as most ranking had him 70-100 spots higher. Stowers hit .336 with 72 runs, 9 HR, 60 RBI and 36 stolen bases. He projects as a future CF or LF in the majors and is known as a strong defensive player, has an energetic personality with tremendous speed.   He was on the rise on draft boards throughout the league and has the potential to rise through the system quickly. He figures to spend his time with short season Everett in 2018.

Round 3 – Cal Raleigh, C – Florida State

The only unsigned top then Mariner draft pick is no surprise considering he is being advised by Scott Boras. The 6’3”, 225 pounder from Florida State resembles that of current Mariner catcher Mike Zunino. He hit .326 with 13 HR and 54 RBI and was the MVP of the ACC baseball tournament. Baseball America ranked Raleigh as the number 2 catcher pre-draft and he will certainly add some depth organizationally to the position assuming he signs.

Round 4 – Michael Plassmeyer, LHP – Missouri

Plassmeyer was Missouri’s best pitcher in the 2018 campaign going 5-4 with a 3.05 ERA and 103 Strikeouts while pitching in 91.1 innings for the Tigers.   The lefty is a location pitcher with good control, maintaining a 5.69 strikeout to walk ratio. He projects as a future number 4 or 5 starter in the majors.  The past season did show an uptick in velocity and spin to his fastball while hitting 92 MPH at times. He is another draftee that has the potential to move quickly through the Mariners system.

Round 5 – Nolan Hoffman, RHP – Texas A & M

Continuing the trend, this is another player with the potential to move through this system swiftly.  After struggling at A & M, the Aggies pitching coach had Hoffman switch his delivery to a submarine and sidearm approach. The changed worked and he became the team’s closer, posting a 3-1 record with 14 saves and 1.15 ERA while becoming a semi-finalist for the 2018 Pitcher of the Year award. He projects situational reliever.


Featured image of Logan Gilbert – via MLB Pipeline on Twitter

Joe Rush
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