Shed Long, Dan Vogelbach and Some Mariners Deep Diving

March 5, 2019 Joe Rush AL West, General, Mariners, MiLB 0

Shed Long - photo via Shed Long (@slong895) on Instagram
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In January my Mariners Top 50 prospects for 2019 was published. Shortly thereafter, my number 9 prospect in the organization, Josh Stowers, was traded for Cincinnati Reds prospect Shed Long. The three team trade sent Stowers to the New York Yankees. I am a big Josh Stowers fan and will continue to follow his progress on the way to the Bronx. After my initial disappointment, I realized that Shed Long is heck of a ballplayer at a position of need in the organization. Below is a list of 5 most notable players that were not included in my original Mariners Top 50.


Shed Long, 2B
Age: 23
Highest Level: AA

Had the trade been made before my Top 50 was released, Long would have been slotted at number 7, two spots ahead of Stowers. The second baseman got off to a strong start in Peoria and has an excellent shot of making his MLB debut in 2019. Long is listed at 5’8” and possesses mid range power and is a good baserunner with a little deceptive speed. Last year in AA ball, he popped 12 HR and tallied 19 stolen bases along with a .261/.353/.412 slash line.

 

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Dan Vogelbach, 1B
Age: 26
Highest Level: MLB

Vogelbach may still technically qualify as a prospect (depending on your dynasty league rules), although in real life he does not have Rookie status and is Pre-Arb eligible. Vogelbach has played in 61 games at the big league level from 2016 through 2018, amassing 127 AB and batting just under the Mendoza line at .197. The big first baseman didn’t appear on my list not because he isn’t one of the top 50 players, but more because of the amount of time he has spent with the big club and the fact that this is a make or break Spring for him. He is out of options, so if he doesn’t make the squad and stay up he likely will no longer be with the franchise. His career minor league stat line has been impressive with a .287/.395/.483 slash line with 120 bombs. However, in MLB he has disappointed with a paltry .197/.301/.315 with 4 HR in 127 at bats. He really needs to be given a shot to play every day to see what the organization has in him. There is a log jam at the 1B position with Edwin Encarnacion, last year’s starter Ryon Healy and Jay Bruce on the roster, so that should prove to be difficult.

Anthony Misiewicz, LHP
Age: 24
Highest Level: AA

The left hander had a rough go of things in 2018 going 3-12 with a 5.24 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with AA Arkansas. He has a four pitch arsenal with an average fastball topping off at 92 MPH. He’s been used primarily as a starter after being used in relief in college. In this Fangraphs video from the 2018 Arizona Fall League, Misiewicz strikes out Jazz Chisholm, Tyler Nevin and Daulton Varsho.

Brayan Perez, LHP
Age: 18
Highest Level: Rookie

Signed as a 16-year-old out of Venezuela, Perez is another in long list of Mariners international signings. Last season in Rookie ball the youngster impressed with 58 K’s in 53 innings. Already, he has a solid breaking ball and curveball to go along with an impressive fastball. He figures to debut in the top 50 soon.

Jake Anchia, C
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A

A defensive stalwart, Anchia was drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 draft. With above average power and a propensity to strike out, in addition to being from Florida, he has a strong resemblance to former Mariners catcher Mike Zunino. He came to Low-A Everett for a quick cup of coffee in 2018 appearing in 15 games. I’m looking forward to following his progress in 2019 playing his first full minor league season.

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