Goldstein Likes the Ms System Kevin Goldstein ranks the Mariners' farm system right in the middle of the pack at #16 in his organizational rankings (subscriber only). This is significantly higher than the Ms were rated by Baseball America (24), which is most likely a reflection of the high value Goldstein places on young players with high ceilings. BP Rated pretty much all of the top international signings higher than anyone else this year, including placing Carlos Triunfel at #7 on the Mariners list (#11 BA).

Continued development from last year's draft class, a breakout or two from one of the 8-10 high upside international youngsters at the low levels, and a solid 2007 amateur draft and we're looking at a potential top 10 system next year. As exciting as prospect junkie-ing is, however, the goal of the system is to produce major leaguers, not to have multiple representatives on BA's top-100.

Prospect publications will focus on names like Triunfel, Martinez, Ramirez, Tillman, and Butler next year (and possibly Halman, Liddi, and Peguero if things break right for them). However, the true test of the system in the coming season will be the performances of Adam Jones, Jeff Clement, Brandon Morrow, Ryan Feierabend, Erik O'Flaherty, Wladimir Balentien, and Bryan LaHair. Those are the guys knocking on the door of the majors, and ultimately, what they do this year will be far more important to defining the team for the next 2-3 years than anything that happens in the low minors.

Even so, it's shaping up to be a very exciting year in the Mariners system. If both Triunfel and Martinez start the year in Wisconsin, the Timber Rattlers might just be the minor leagues' #1 all-upside team.

Random aside: want to see me chasing a sea turtle? How about juggling sea cucumbers? If so, check out Jeff Shaw's awesome blog chronicling his Fulbright year in Okinawa. |

posted by JH @ 4:54 AM

  Huang Won't Pitch in '07

I received an e-mail from a reader late this evening with a link attached that says RHP Chia-an Huang is doing his military service this year.

I don't read Mandarin Chinese and I've had to run it through two translating systems to make even a modicum of sense out of it. It seems as if he has to fulfill his obligations to the state and the M's are holding out hope that he'll be able to come back when he's done, and with good reason, what with the $710,000 invested in him. I'd love to be optimistic that he'll come back as well, I saw some footage of him pitching in high school way back when and thought he could've been the next big thing in the system, but he shot himself in the foot last year when he want temporarily MIA after the World Baseball Classic. I still don't have the exact details on what went down during that time, but it should go without saying that it hurt his development to miss out on a year's worth of competition, especially with another one coming up.

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posted by Jay Y. @ 10:21 PM