A Minor Review of 2008: The Mariners

The Graduate: Jeff Clement | Born: August 1983 | Catcher

Isn’t it nice that Seattle did not trade away all of its prospects… just most of them. Oddly though, with Jeff Clement on the horizon, current Seattle backstop Kenji Johjima was re-signed for another three seasons through 2011, which clouds the future for Clement behind the plate. Regardless, Seattle should find at-bats for Clement elsewhere, whether it be at first base or designated hitter. He’s going to be an excellent hitter but the time away from catching could hurt his growth as a defender. Clement still has work to do offensively, as well, as he struck out far more than he did as a minor leaguer (30% in the Majors compared to about 18% in the minors). His ISO also dropped to .133 after being above .200 for his minor league career.

The Riser: Greg Halman | Born: August 1987 | Outfielder

Greg Halman has always oozed tools, but he’s a free swinger who has struggled with breaking balls. The native of the Netherlands still struck out too much in 2008 (29 K% – although it’s a huge improvement over 2007 at 38%) – and probably won’t hit for a high average in the Majors – but he showed 30-30 potential by slugging 29 homers and stealing 31 bases split between A-ball and Double-A. Halman also needs to improve his walk rate a bit as it is currently at 6.2%. The fact that his numbers did not drop off after a promotion to Double-A, speaks well for his future.

The Tumbler: Matt Mangini | Born: November 1985 | Third Baseman

The knock on Matt Mangini coming out of college was that he did not possess prototypical power for a third baseman. However, he was supposed to have been able to hit for average. Well, that hasn’t happened. The former supplemental first round draft pick hit .252 in his debut in 2007 but struggled in 2008 by hitting .265/.376/.431 at High-A ball (in the hitter’s paradise known as High Desert) and .202/.247/.248 upon a promotion to Double-A.

The ’08 Draft Pick: Dennis Raben | Born: July 1987 | Outfielder

The Mariners’ 2008 draft was not pretty – especially when you consider first round pick Joshua Fields (a college reliever) is still not under contract. Second round draft pick Dennis Raben did not set the world on fire but he hit a respectable .275/.400/.560 in 91 short season at-bats. He did show some nice patients by posting a rate of 17.4 BB%. Given the Mariners love of rushing players, Raben should begin 2009 in High-A ball.

The ’09 Sleeper: Tug Hulett | Born: February 1983 | Infielder

Tug Hulett, who was obtained from the Rangers last winter, will not be a superstar, but he has the potential to be an excellent bench player or platoon partner. He can play a number of positions and offers a great batting eye at the plate. Hulett has also shown more power at the plate in the last two seasons and posted an ISO of .220 in Triple-A this season. He could be in line to replace Willie Bloomquist, after appearing in 30 big league games in 2008.

Up Next: The Washington Nationals