Seattle Mariners: The Farm vs The Rest
Chris Phillips
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Wild Card – Julio Rodriguez
Julio Rodriguez is the newest Seattle Mariners’ top prospect. There is a very strong outcry from the fans and some writers to put Rodriguez in the starting lineup. He is having a very good Spring Training so it is certainly a possibility. However, what is most likely and probably the best thing for him is to start the year at Triple-A Tacoma.
JRod might be the next big thing but he has yet to compete above Double-A. Going straight from Double-A to the major leagues is a big jump in skills and abilities. Not everyone can make that jump.
Conversely, if he does make it happen then there is a big trickle-down effect that is likely to take place. JRod might start in centerfield, moving Kelenic to left field, and Winker to DH. Subsequently, it could mean Torrens doesn’t make the roster as it’s difficult for teams to carry three catchers.
Farm System vs Dipoto’s Other Choices
Like this article alluded to at the beginning, the Seattle Mariners farm system gets a lot of attention and love. And again it’s all very deserving. What Dipoto has been able to do is amazing.
Hopefully, it continues as the Seattle Mariners get better and no longer have the chance to pick early in the draft. And also Dipoto doesn’t deplete the farm system at trade deadlines trying to acquire some MLB pieces to shore up the M’s roster for a playoff push.
Dipoto has been able to navigate being Major League GM with great aplomb. He took over a team that already had MLB talent, even if it was aging, and shipped them all out to quickly bolster the Seattle Mariners farm system. In some cases yielding immediate dividends for the Big League club.
To date, he has only traded one of his highly regarded prospects for immediate MLB talent. So, for as much love as the Mariners farm system gets the other guys, that Dipoto acquired most likely start game one of the upcoming MLB season. They deserve an equal amount of love.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.