Seattle Mariners: The Farm vs The Rest
The Seattle Mariners have an outstanding farm system, but the M’s Opening Day lineup won’t have any homegrown prospects.
The Seattle Mariners farm system gets a lot of attention and praise. It is all rightfully deserved. However, there is a real possibility that the Opening Day Lineup won’t feature a single Mariners grown-up prospect. To be specific I’m talking about a player that GM Jerry Dipoto drafted and that player progressed through the minors. So, don’t try the “Jarred Kelenic is a former M’s prospect.”
It’s crazy to think, that Seattle Mariners are on the precipice of being in the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. They have the best farm system in, Major League Baseball, and not one of Dipoto’s drafted, homegrown talent could be on the Opening Day lineup card.
Let’s look at the projected Opening Day lineup card that Manager Scott Servais will fill out and provide to Minnesota’s skipper Rocco Baldelli.
Catcher – Tom Murphy
Tom Murphy was acquired from San Francisco for Jesus Ozoria in a trade back in 2019. Murphy’s first season with the Seattle Mariners is easily the best year of his career. Unfortunately, it may have set unreal expectations for him in Emerald City. Cal Raleigh and Luis Torrens have a shot to earn the opening day catcher spot.
First Base – Ty France
Ty France was a part of the Austin Nola trade with San Diego back in 2020. France showed very well in his short Seattle Mariners debut that year. Enough that he was widely thought to be the team’s starting second baseman.
Well, Evan White got hurt at first base, France took over there and the rest is history. White will be competing for his starting spot back but unless he fixes his ability to hit Major League pitching, France will be starting at first again.
Second Base – Adam Frazier
Adam Frazier came to the Seattle Mariners in yet another trade with San Diego. Dipoto and A.J. Preller do enjoy working with each other. Frazier is similar to Murphy in that both of their names are practically written in pen at their respective positions.
Frazier will have some competition from Abraham Toro. However, Frazier is the better glove at second and his bat is no slouch. Speaking of Toro he too was acquired via trade from Houston.
Yo this play by Adam Frazier is INSANE pic.twitter.com/go2fWyk0P5
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 2, 2021