Seattle Mariners have wrapped up their 2018 draft. Here's who they picked
Seattle Mariners CEO and chairman John Stanton likely noticed the same big trend most would when looking at the profiles of players the Mariners drafted through the first 10 rounds following Tuesday’s picks.
They drafted four pitchers, two catchers and outfielder and another player who projects as a utility infielder in the third through 10th rounds on Tuesday after drafting 6-foot-6, 225-pound right-hander Logan Gilbert in Monday’s first round and Louisville outfielder Josh Stowers in the second.
This is Scott Hunter’s second year as the director of amateur scouting running the Mariners’ draft. He said he thought he set a record on his Fitbit for steps taken in a day with how much he was pacing back-and-forth all day.
“Stanton said he noticed all of our guys we are getting are big and physical,” Hunter said. “And I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ Turns out our guys are averaging 6-3 and bigger and that wasn’t by plan. It just happened that way.”
He seemed most excited by their first pick on Tuesday, with the remainder of the draft, rounds 11-40, finishing on Wednesday.
The Mariners drafted Florida State catcher Cal Raleigh in the third round as a player they think will be playing baseball for a long, long time. Hunter almost guaranteed it before backtracking.
“A lot of scouts are saying, ‘Wow, that guy is going to be playing,’” Hunter said.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound backstop hit .326 with 13 home runs for the Seminoles this year and was ranked the No. 78 prospect by Baseball America – with the Mariners getting him at 90th overall.
They drafted another catcher in the seventh round in Nova Southeastern (Florida) prospect Jake Anchia, who hails from the same NCAA Division II school as Boston Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez. Hunter said the school earned a reputation as the home run king of DII baseball. Anchia hit 22 home runs this past season.
Why two catchers? Hunter said that became a priority when the Mariners traded away catcher David Banuelos to the Minnesota Twins this past offseason for international slot money – which was being acquired by the Mariners in their attempt to court Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani. Banuelos was a fifth-round pick last year.
“We wanted to restock catching,” Hunter said. “These guys are good starts. They aren’t the defensive catchers Banuelos was, but they’re offensive guys.”
Hunter said nine of the 10 picks had been signed. Gilbert seemed like the one who hadn’t because they have a verbal agreement to sign once his college season closes. His Stetson University team, which also produced aces Corey Kluber and Jacob deGrom, plays the University of North Carolina in the NCAA Division I Super Regionals this weekend.
Hunter said eight of the 10 picks will be reporting to the Mariners’ Arizona mini-camp.
The most major-league ready player they drafted might be their eighth-round pick, right-hander Joey Gerber.
Hunter’s scouting director predecessor, Tom McNamara, was on hand and gave Hunter a high-five for that pick.
Gerber throws up to 97 mph and projects as a power-armed reliever and was considered one of the top college relievers in the draft. Baseball America ranked him as the No. 145 overall prospect and the Mariners picked him at No. 238.
“McNamara said he said he saw (Gerber) play and he said, ‘That’s a quick-to-the-big-leagues kind of guy,’” Hunter said. “And if you know Mac’s history here, he likes those hard-throwing arms. So that made me feel good that we got the right guy.”
Last year’s first-round pick, Evan White, apparently forced his way into the conversation.
The first baseman, currently with 2016 first-round pick Kyle Lewis at high Single-A Modesto, texted Hunter throughout the morning and afternoon on the Mariners’ picks. He made sure to get Gilbert’s phone number to reach out to their newest top draft pick.
“I sent him a few names to reach out to them,” Hunter said. “Hopefully when Evan White touches the big leagues, some of these arms and Logan Gilbert and Cal Raleigh will be knocking on the door, as well.”
And maybe the two most interesting picks to this point a reTexas A&M right-hander Nolan Hoffman (fifth round) and College of Southern Nevada right-hander Joey Takashi O’Brien (sixth round).
Start with the sidearm pitcher, Hoffman.
Yes, the Mariners picked a sidewinder with their fifth pick, and he didn’t start throwing that way until this season, transitioning from a traditional three-quarter slot at the almost-demand of his college coach Rob Childress.
He went from a 12.00 ERA to a 1.15 ERA in 55 innings (with 53 strikeouts) as a reliever this year. Hunter said Hoffman could be a situational specialist in the mold of the Rockies’ Pat Neshek, who has spent 11 years in the big leagues with a sidearm delivery.
“Intriguing pick,” Hunter said. “It was a team effort from our scouts and analytics department. He’s a situational specialist and he could be a fast mover in our system, as well.”
Their next pick is the son of a U.S. Marine, Joey O’Brien, who moved to the United States this year from Japan, where he was born, and pitched at a junior college in Nevada this year as a two-way standout. He said he modeled his game growing up in Okinawa, Japan, after Masahiro Tanaka and Ichiro.
Reports were that he can touch 96 mph on his fastball and throws a splitter. Hunter said they want to use him as a starter with potential to move into the bullpen.
“He came over and impressed,” Hunter said. “Three-pitch mix and a delivery similar to Hisashi Iwakuma.”
The Mariners through the first two days had drafted 10 college players – no high school players.
“Now we feel we have some flexibility with the bonus pool to have a little extra to spend,” Hunter said.
“But this does solidify the middle of our organization a little bit because we were so thin (the Mariners’ farm system had been ranked as the worst in baseball). Hopefully we can built this organization where we can get more comfortable getting to a point where we can take bigger risks and really shooting for the moon and be able to withstand if one of them doesn’t make it. When your foundation is strong you can start being more aggressive with bigger, more aggressive players in the draft.”
TJ Cotterill: 253-597-8677
Twitter: @TJCotterill
2018 SEATTLE MARINERS DRAFT PICKS
2018 SEATTLE MARINERS DRAFT PICKS
First round
11: RHP Logan Gilbert, Stetson
Baseball America rank: 19
MLB.com prospect rank: 16
Bio: Stetson, which has also produced ace pitchers Corey Kluber and Jacob deGrom, will play the University of North Carolina in this weekend’s NCAA Super Regional with the winner advancing to the College World Series. Gilbert leads all of NCAA Division I pitchers with 157 strikeouts in 15 starts. He’s 6-foot-6, 225 pounds and is 23-2 with a 2.38 ERA this season while overcoming some dead-arm issues earlier this spring that pushed him down some MLB draft boards.
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Mariners notable first-round picks:C Mike Zunino (2012); SS Adam Jones (2003); RHP Brandon Morrow (2006); CF Dustin Askley (2009); RHP Taijuan Walker (2010); RHP Gil Meche (1996); OF Jose Cruz (1995); C Jason Varitek (1994); SS Alex Rodriguez (1993); 1B Tino Martinez (1988); OF Ken Griffey Jr. (1987); RHP Mike Moore (1981); OF Dave Henderson (1977).
Second round
54: OF Josh Stowers, Louisville
Baseball America rank: 124
MLB.com prospect rank: 146
Bio: Another reach by prospect-ranking standards for the Mariners, selecting the speedy centerfielder in the second round. But amateur scouting director Scott Hunter said you don’t pass on players with a combination of speed and power, which is what they see from Stowers. Baseball America says he projects more as a left fielder, but Hunter sees him as a center fielder. He certainly fits the Mariners’ on-base mantra, hitting .336 with a .477 on-base percentage for Louisville this year.
Mariners’ notable second-round picks:C Rene Rivera (2001); SS Brad Miller (2011); RHP Chris Tillman (2006); RHP Dave Burba (1987); RHP Bill Swift (1984); RHP Mark Langston (1981); C Dave Valle (1978)
Third round
90: C Cal Raleigh, Florida State
Baseball America rank: 78
MLB.com prospect rank: 150
Bio: First name is Cal, last name Raleigh, plays for Florida State, but his home town is Cullowhee (North Carolina). He’s 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and he hit .326 with 13 home runs in 62 games for the Seminoles this season, after originally committing to Clemson. He had a big freshman season when he hit 10 home runs in 2016, but then batted .227 last season. Baseball America says his potential is tied to his power potential (maybe that reminds you of another Mariners catcher from a Florida university).
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Mariners’ notable third-round picks: RHP Edwin Diaz (2012); 3B Kyle Seager (2009); LHP Ryan Feierabend (2003); SS Matthew Tuiasosopo (2004); SS Willie Bloomquist (1999); Jim Mecir (1991); OF Phil Bradley (1981)
Fourth round
118: LHP Michael Plassmeyer, Missouri
Baseball America rank: 301
MLB.com prospect rank: 169
Bio: 6-foot-2, 199-pound lefty sits between 86-90 mph with his fastball, though has pumped it to 92 mph, though reports on him say his notice came because of his command and improved slider, as well as his spin rate on that fastball. He had walked 31 batters in 35 career starts (reminder: Mariners love pitchers who control the zone). Once pitched his way out of Missouri’s rotation before rebounding to become its best starter this season, going 5-4 with a 3.05 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings and 17 walks.
Mariners’ notable fourth-round picks: OF James Jones (2009); LHP James Paxton (2010); C John Hicks (2011); SS Desi Relaford (1991)
Fifth round
148: RHP Nolan Hoffman, Texas A&M
Baseball America rank: NR
MLB.com prospect rank: NR
Bio: Hoffman is a 6-foot-4 sidearm hurler, who didn’t think he’d ever be a sidearm pitcher until his Aggies coach, Rob Childress, suggested he try it. The junior from Lincoln, Nebraska, went from a 12.00 ERA to this year going 3-1 with a 1.15 ERA in 55 innings (with 53 strikeouts) in 33 relief appearances this season, throwing a fastball between 89-92 mph. He had transferred from Hutchinson Community College and holds that program’s all-time record for career strikeouts (168).
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Mariners’ notable fifth-round picks:RHP Dan Altavilla (2014); SS Chris Taylor (2012); RHP Mark Lowe (2004); RHP Stephen Pryor (2010); 2B Bret Boone (1990)
Sixth round
178: RHP Joey Takashi O’Brien, College of Southern Nevada
Baseball America rank: 499
MLB.com prospect rank: NR
Bio: Mariners first pick who is not a four-year college player. O’Brien has a commitment to Hawaii out of the junior college he currently attends. 6-foot-2, 205-pound is the son of a U.S. Marine and he was born in Okinawa, Japan, before moving to the U.S. last year. Brother, Richard, was drafted in the Japanese pro ball draft (NPB) last year. Reports say he can tough 96-mph with his fastball but sits between 93-94. Two-way player who says he models game after Masahiro Tanaka and Ichiro. Batted .330 with nine home runs in 57 games and has a 1.62 ERA in 39 innings pitched with 45 strikeouts and 21 walks.
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Mariners’ notable sixth-round picks: RHP Lance Lynn (2005); RHP JJ Putz (1999); LHP Mike Hampton (1990); 1B Alvin Davis (1982)
Seventh round
208: C Jake Anchia, Nova Southeastern (Florida)
Baseball America rank: NR
MLB.com prospect rank: NR
Bio: Anchia finds his inspiration from his father, a deputy fire chief in Miami Beach who left Cuba on a shrimp boat in 1980 among more than 200 other refugees. His father never made it past high school baseball but passed his love for the game onto his son, Jake, who hit 17 home runs and batted .326 as a sophomore and batted .340 with 22 home runs for the NCAA Division II Sharks this season. His home runs over the past two seasons is a school record. But don’t balk at Nova Southeastern. It has also produced Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez. If you’re seeing a theme, the Mariners like catchers from Florida.
Mariners’ notable seventh-round picks: RHP John Axford (2001); RHP Doug Fister (2006)
Eighth round
238: RHP Joey Gerber, Illinois
Baseball America rank: 145
MLB.com prospect rank: 126
Bio: Projected as one of the top college relievers entering the draft with a fastball that sits between 92-96 mph and an 82-85 mph slider. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior is also reported to have a lot of moving parts and a funky delivery. Had a 3.14 ERA and 14 saves (tied with Twins 2015 first-round pick Tyler Jay for single-season school record) in 25 appearances this season for the Fighting Illini.
Mariners’ notable eighth-round picks:RHP Carson Smith (2011); RHP Derek Lowe (1991)
Ninth round
268: OF Keegan McGovern, Georgia
Baseball America rank: 282
MLB.com prospect rank: NR
Bio: Reports say the 6-foot-2, 220-pound left-handed hitting outfielder has battled through injuries in his four years as a starter at the University of Georgia. He was an all-SEC first-team pick this year and also the Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year as a biology major with a 3.48 GPA (and the first Georgia athlete to earn that since since Gordon Beckham, yes, that Gordon Beckham, in 2008). He had the second-highest batting average on the team (.322) this season with 18 home runs in 58 games, including a .431 on-base percentage. That was a breakout year but he doesn’t have much of a history hitting with a wooden bat, batting .156/.301/.312 in the Cape Cod League in 2016.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dawgs like Keegan McGovern swinging wood today in front of more than two dozen scouts. <a href="https://t.co/vgh9RdxEFy">pic.twitter.com/vgh9RdxEFy</a></p>— Georgia Baseball (@BaseballUGA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BaseballUGA/status/918197651329503232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
10th round
298: SS Matt Sanders, Troy
Baseball America rank: NR
MLB.com prospect rank: NR
Bio: Second on the Troy baseball team this year with a .378 average in 63 games with a .463 on-base percentage. The senior from Madison, Alabama, is a right-handed hitter and is 5-foot-8, 175 pounds. He’s also been previously listed as a second baseman and an outfielder. He led all NCAA Division I baseball players in runs scored (90) and was tied for fourth in hits while earning All-Sun Belt second-team honors.
Round 11
328: RHP Damon Casetta-Stubbs, King’s Way Christian High School (Wash.)
Round 12
2B Ryne Ogren, Elon University
Round 13
OF Charlie McConnell, Northeastern U
Round 14
RHP Tyler Suellentrop, Indian River State College
Round 15
RHP Matthew Willrodt, Cisco JC (Texas)
Round 16
LHP Holden Laws, South Granville (North Carolina)
Round 17
OF Cesar Trejo, UNC Greensboro (North Carolina)
Round 18
RHP Noah Zavolas, Harvard
Round 19
C Dean Naveraz, San Diego State
Round 20
RHP J.T. Salter, U West Alabama
Round 21
RHP Grant Anderson, McNeese State
Round 22
SS Nicholas Rodriguez, UNLV
Round 23
OF Ryan Ramiz, Seton Hall
Round 24
LHP Benjamin Onyshko, Stetson (Florida)
Round 25
2B Connor Kopach, Southern Illinois, Carbondale
Round 26
3B Cal Hernandez, Oral Roberts
Round 27
2B Cash Gladfelter, Shippensburg
Round 28
2B Beau Branton, Stanford
Round 29
SS Bobby Honeyman, Stony Brook
Round 30
OF Cody Staab, Rice
Round 31
LHP Rigo Beltran, Lynn University
Round 32
2B Zach Scott, St. Leo University
Round 33
RHP Penn Murfee, Santa Clara
Round 34
LHP Nick Wegmann, Binghampton
Round 35
RHP Will Gambino, Paul VI High School (New Jersey)
Round 36
LHP Justin Wrobleski, Sequoyah High School (Georgia)
Round 37
RHP Parker Towns, Dallas Baptist University
Round 38
2B Jack Montgomery, Simsbury High School
Round 39
Jacob Maton, Glenwood High School (Illinois)
Round 40
RHP David Rhodes, Langley Secondary School (British Columbia)
The skinny: The Mariners selected 21 pitchers, 3 catchers, 11 infielders (six second basemen, four shortstops, one third baseman) and five outfielders. They picked 33 college players and seven high school players.
After avoiding high schoolers through the first 10 rounds (not on purpose, Scott Hunter said), the Mariners used their first pick Wednesday to select a local product, Damon Casetta-Stubbs of King’s Way Christian High School, a Class 1A school in Vancouver, Washington. Hunter talked about having saved some of their bonus pool through the first 10 rounds and that seems to have paid off in getting Casetta-Stubbs, who told The Columbian he will fly to Peoria, Arizona, and join the Arizona Rookie League upon signing, instead of heading for college. He has a fastball clocked as high as 97 mph and is 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. The Mariners took a stab at drafting Justin Wrobleski from Georgia, though he’s also committed to Clemson and was the No. 177 prospect in the draft per MLB.com. Jacob Maton is the younger brother of San Diego Padres reliever Phil Mabton and Phillies minor leaguer Nick Mabton. He’s also committed to Coastal Carolina. Matthew Willrodt has a fastball clocked at 95 mph, though he is committed to Texas State out of Cisco Junior College. They also selected left-hander Benjamin Onyshko in the 24th round. He is a teammate at Stetson University in Florida of the Mariners’ first-round draft pick, 6-foot-6 right-hander Logan Gilbert. The Mariners dedicated their final pick, 40th-round selection, David Rhodes, to longtime scout Wayne Norton, who died in January. Rhodes is a University of Washington signee from White Rock, British Columbia, and Norton is a native of Port Moody, British Columbia, and covered Canada as a Mariners scout beginning in 2000.
TJ Cotterill: 253-597-8677
Twitter: @TJCotterill
This story was originally published June 5, 2018 at 11:30 AM with the headline "Seattle Mariners have wrapped up their 2018 draft. Here's who they picked."