Mariners draft tracker: Seattle selects 10 pitchers, 10 position players in 2021
The 2021 Major League Baseball Draft was completed this week in Colorado, and the Mariners continued to build their minor league system, which already ranks among the best in baseball.
Seattle opened the draft by selecting versatile catcher Harry Ford from Georgia’s North Cobb High School in the first round with the No. 12 overall pick, and made 19 more selections the following two days to wrap up the 20-round draft.
The Mariners selected high school players in Ford, shortstop Edwin Arroyo and right-handed pitcher Michael Morales with each of their first three picks and college players with the remaining 17 selections.
They drafted 10 pitchers — all right-handers — as well as three catchers, four infielders and three outfielders.
Here is the full list of the 20 picks the Mariners made:
▪ C/OF Harry Ford, Georgia’s North Cobb High School (Round 1, No. 12 overall): Though Ford is primarily listed as a catcher in his draft profile, the Mariners believe the 18-year-old has the versatility to impact games anywhere on the field — whether it be behind the plate, in the infield or in the outfield. “We’re calling him a catcher, but this kid can play center field, he can play second base,” Mariners director of amateur scouting Scott Hunter said. “We’re going to send him out as a catcher, but a tool set of a true five-tool player, just to say he’s a catcher is probably an understatement.” Hunter noted Ford’s explosiveness and athleticism as qualities that stand out. “When you start watching this kid just roll around a baseball field, you just notice it’s different,” Hunter said. “When he wants to run, he runs. When he wants to throw, he lets it loose and it’s a top-of-the-scale arm.” Ford’s bat is also intriguing. He hit .343/.510/.539 across 104 games in his four seasons at North Cobb with 83 runs scored, 20 doubles, seven triples, seven home runs, 56 RBI and 32 stolen bases. “We’re truly excited about adding an offensive impact bat like Harry,” Hunter said. Ford, who committed to Georgia Tech in 2019, is considered the No. 13 overall prospect in this year’s draft by MLB.com. His selection marks the first time since 2017 — when Evan White was drafted at No. 14 overall — the Mariners have taken a position player with their top pick. Each of the past three seasons, the club has selected right-handed college pitchers in Logan Gilbert (2018 from Stetson), George Kirby (2019 from Elon) and Emerson Hancock (2020 from Georgia). Ford is the first high school player the Mariners have selected with their top pick since they drafted outfielder Alex Jackson — now a catcher in the Braves’ system — at No. 6 overall in 2014 out of San Diego’s Rancho Bernardo High School. This is also the first time the Mariners have drafted a catcher with their first-round pick since they selected Mike Zunino — who played for six seasons in Seattle before he was traded ahead of the 2019 season to Tampa Bay, where he recently earned his first All-Star nod — at No. 3 overall in 2012 out of Florida. Ford is the sixth catcher in club history selected with the top pick, joining Zunino, Steven Baron (2009 from Florida’s John A. Ferguson High School), Jeff Clement (2005 from USC), Ryan Christianson (1999 from California’s Arlington High School) and Jason Varitek (1994 from Georgia Tech).
▪ SS Edwin Arroyo, Florida’s Central Pointe Christian Academy (Round 2, No. 48 overall): The 17-year-old Florida State commit is the top-ranked player out of Puerto Rico in this class by Perfect Game. He played for Central Pointe Christian this spring ahead of the draft, and is another versatile high school addition for the Mariners. Arroyo is a switch-hitter and though primarily a shortstop, also has some experience as a left-handed pitcher. He is considered the No. 83 overall prospect in the draft by MLB.com. Hunter noted Arroyo’s defensive ability and speed, but the power the young infielder has already shown has caused even more excitement about his future on the field. “He came up here actually to T-Mobile a week before the draft and worked out for us, and we were shocked to see the kind of strength and raw power he had, because we did believe that the power is the last thing that would come,” Hunter said. “But, when he came into the cage and took a few balls out to dead center field here at T-Mobile, some of our scouts were eye-opened, to say the least, because we did underestimate the pure strength and power of this kid at 17.”
▪ RHP Michael Morales, Pennsylvania’s East Pennsboro High School (Round 3, No. 83 overall): The Mariners stuck with the trend of selecting high school players in the third round, but after taking two position players in the first two rounds, opted for an arm in Morales, who is considered the top pitcher out of Pennsylvania in this class by Perfect Game and a top-50 high school pitcher nationally by the site. He is considered the No. 109 overall prospect in this draft class by MLB.com. Morales’ fastball has reached the mid-90s and his three-pitch mix also includes a curveball and changeup. Hunter also noted the 18-year-old Vanderbilt commit’s maturity as a pitcher. “He’s wired to be a professional baseball player,” Hunter said.. “ … He knows everything about pitching.”
▪ RHP Bryce Miller, Texas A&M (Round 4, No. 113 overall): The Mariners returned to the college pitching ranks in the fourth round — they had selected right-handed college pitchers with their first-round pick each of the past three seasons in Logan Gilbert (2018 from Stetson), George Kirby (2019 from Elon) and Emerson Hancock (2020 from Georgia) each of the past three seasons — adding what Hunter said is “a really special arm” in Miller. The 22-year-old compiled a 8-6 record and 4.07 ERA in three seasons for the Aggies, striking out 141 while walking 57 across 110 2/3 innings. He was a reliever his first two seasons at Texas A&M, but returned for his senior season this spring and joined the rotation, starting 10 of the 13 games he appeared in and posting a 3-2 record and 4.45 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 37 walks in 56 2/3 innings. Prior to Texas A&M, Miller pitched one season at Texas’ Blinn College and was drafted by the Marlins in the 38th round in 2018, but did not sign. Miller is considered the No. 91 overall prospect in this draft class by MLB.com, and has a fastball that can reach the upper 90s with three secondary pitches including a slider, curveball and changeup. Miller is projected to begin as a starter in Seattle’s system, but could also be an eighth or ninth inning impact reliever, Hunter said. “We’re really banking on the athlete, the arm, and we’ll figure out the rest of as it comes,” he said. Miller is the second player the Mariners have drafted from Texas A&M in the past two seasons. They selected outfielder Zach DeLoach, now with High-A Everett, in the second round last summer.
▪ C Andy Thomas, Baylor (Round 5, No. 144 overall): Thomas played five seasons at Baylor, and was a reliable left-handed bat in the Bears’ lineup, hitting .327/.422/.489 with 124 runs scored, 44 doubles, three triples, 19 home runs, 141 RBI, seven stolen bases and 105 walks to 100 strikeouts in his 184 games played. He hit .337/.411/.575 with 46 runs scored, 11 doubles, a triple, 11 homers, and 60 RBI, a stolen base and 24 walks to 29 strikeouts in his 227 plate appearances as a senior this spring. The 23-year-old is listed as a catcher, but also played significant innings at first base for the Bears during his college career. Thomas became a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection this spring, was named a third-team All-American, and was a finalist for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year award.
▪ RHP Bryan Woo, Cal Poly (Round 6, No. 174 overall): The 22-year-old pitched three seasons at Cal Poly, compiling a 4-7 record and 6.36 ERA across 31 appearances, including six starts. He struck out 89 while walking 31 in 69 1/3 innings. Woo was 2-2 with a 6.11 ERA in 10 appearances, including two starts, this spring with 42 strikeouts to eight walks in 28 innings. He is currently recovering from elbow surgery, but Hunter said Woo’s throwing program has started to ramp up. Woo was teammates with former Cal Poly pitcher Taylor Dollard, who the Mariners selected in the fifth round last summer and is now with High-A Everett.
▪ OF Colin Davis, Wofford (Round 7, No. 204 overall): Davis consistently produced at the plate in his four seasons at Wofford, posting a .320/.386/.567 slash line with 152 runs scored, 54 doubles, six triples, 35 home runs, 146 RBI, 46 stolen bases and 66 walks to 129 strikeouts in 181 games. The 22-year-old was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year this spring after hitting .351/.434/.624 with 50 runs scored, 18 doubles, a triple, 11 home runs, 45 RBI, 18 stolen bases and 24 walks to 31 strikeouts in 51 games as a senior. He continued that production in the Cape Cod League, hitting .420/.508/.540 through 15 games. “We’re getting an athlete with some upside,” Hunter said. “A toolsy kid that is performing right now with a wood bat, so we think he’ll jump in right away.”
▪ SS James Parker, Clemson (Round 8, No. 234 overall): The 21-year-old infielder hit .303/.373/.454 in three seasons with the Tigers with 49 runs scored, 18 doubles, 10 home runs, 53 RBI, five stolen bases and 29 walks to 74 strikeouts in 92 games. This spring, he hit a career-best .324/.411/.500 with 33 runs scored, 13 doubles, eight homers, 38 RBI, a stolen base and 24 walks to 51 strikeouts. Parker played primarily shortstop, but also appeared for Clemson at second and third. “He really stands out as just a mature veteran presence that can make all the routine plays at short,” Hunter said. “I’m sure if you put him at third or second, he could do that. And he’s got some power in the bat which really gives him a chance to do more than just be an extra infielder on a major league club.”
▪ OF Spencer Packard, Campbell (Round 9, No. 264 overall): The 23-year-old was a first-team All-Big South selection this spring after hitting .371/.488/.629 with 53 runs scored, 18 doubles, 11 home runs, 67 RBI, two stolen bases and 32 walks to 24 strikeouts in 55 games. In his three seasons at Campbell, Packard has a career slash line of .324/.452/.504 with 99 runs scored, 39 doubles, 14 home runs, 118 RBI, six stolen bases and 72 walks to 67 strikeouts in 125 games, and mostly split time between left and right field. Prior to Campbell, Packard played two seasons at Arizona Western College. “He can really swing the bat,” Hunter said. “He’s going to be able to play all three outfield positions, and we may even move him around, give him an infield glove as well.”
▪ RHP Jordan Jackson, Georgia Southern (Round 10, No. 294 overall): The 22-year-old posted a 7-7 record and 4.27 ERA in 20 games, including 18 starts, the past two seasons with Georgia Southern. He has struck out 98 and walked 23 in 90 2/3 innings in his career with the Eagles. Before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the 2020 season, the 6-foot-6 right-hander had a 3-1 record and 1.57 ERA through four starts, with 24 strikeouts in 23 innings. In 2021, he was 4-6 with a 5.19 ERA through 16 appearances (14 starts) and finished with 74 strikeouts to 14 walks in 67 2/3 innings. He was named to the Sun Belt All-Tournament Team this spring.
▪ RHP William Fleming, Wake Forest (Round 11, No. 324 overall): Fleming was a reliever early in his career with Wake Forest — and was their closer as a sophomore — before moving into the starting rotation the past two seasons. The 22-year-old started all 13 games he appeared in this spring, finishing with a 4-6 record and 6.03 ERA with 65 strikeouts to 21 walks in 74 2/3 innings. He posted a 7-12 record and 5.39 ERA in 60 games (18 starts) in his four seasons at Wake Forest with 124 strikeouts to 52 walks in 155 1/3 innings.
▪ OF Corey Rosier, UNC-Greensboro (Round 12, No. 354 overall): The 21-year-old adds another left-handed bat to Seattle’s draft class after starting all 52 games for UNCG this spring. Rosier hit .354/.434/.604 this season with 59 runs scored, nine doubles, four triples, 12 homers, 51 RBI, 17 stolen bases and 25 walks to 28 strikeouts. His 75 hits and 59 triples led the Southern Conference, while his runs scored and 51 RBI tied for the conference lead. He was an All-Southern Conference first-team pick.
▪ SS Ben Ramirez, USC (Round 13, No. 384 overall): Ramirez, another left-handed hitter, posted a career-best batting average as a senior, hitting .304/.381/.529 with 25 runs scored, seven doubles, three triples, 10 home runs, 54 RBI, four stolen bases and 26 walks to 35 strikeouts in 51 games. The 22-year-old hit .284/.345/.426 with 74 runs scored, 23 doubles, five triples, 15 home runs, 107 RBI, nine stolen bases and 50 walks to 89 strikeouts in 147 games in four seasons at USC. He appeared at shortstop, second and third for the Trojans. He was an All-Pac-12 first-teamer this spring. Ramirez was drafted by the Cubs in the 35th round in 2017 out of California’s Eastlake High School, but did not sign.
▪ RHP Andrew Moore, Chipola College (Round 14, No. 414 overall): The 21-year-old appeared in 12 games (three starts) for Chipola College this season, finishing 5-2 with a 5.29 ERA and 44 strikeouts to 31 walks across 32 1/3 innings.
▪ 3B Cole Barr, Indiana (Round 15, No. 444 overall): Barr was drafted in the 37th round by the Mariners in 2019, but returned to Indiana, where he has posted a .269/.398/.526 in four seasons with 98 runs scored, 26 doubles, four triples, 27 home runs, 99 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 72 walks to 161 strikeouts in 141 games. The 23-year-old hit .292/.415/.526 this season with 36 runs scored, eight doubles, two triples, eight homers, 36 RBI, four stolen bases and 26 walks to 44 strikeouts in 44 games.
▪ RHP Jimmy Joyce, Hofstra (Round 16, No. 474 overall): In four seasons at Hofstra, Joyce compiled a 6-11 record and 5.72 ERA in 42 games (15 starts) with 125 strikeouts to 70 walks in 140 innings. This season, he was 3-4 with a 3.70 ERA, starting all 11 games he appeared in, and striking out 89 while walking 21 across 73 innings.
▪ RHP Jimmy Kingsbury, Villanova (Round 17, No. 504 overall): The 21-year-old pitched four seasons for Villanova and compiled a 12-18 career record and 4.68 ERA in 52 games (34 starts). He struck out 216 while walking 89 in 238 2/3 innings. This season Kingsbury finished 5-2 with a 4.87 ERA in 16 games (nine starts) and struck out 86 while walking 28 in 64 2/3 innings, including collecting four saves.
▪ RHP Riley Davis, UAB (Round 18, No. 534 overall): Davis pitched four seasons at UAB and posted a 9-7 career record and 4.79 ERA in 48 games (21 starts). He struck out 114 while walking 55 in 157 2/3 innings. In 2021, the 22-year-old finished 4-5 with a 3.74 ERA and started all 13 games he appeared in. He struck out 60 while walking 24 in 79 1/3 innings.
▪ C Charlie Welch, Arkansas (Round 19, No. 564 overall): Welch hit .388/.494/.821 with 21 runs scored, five doubles, eight home runs, 25 RBI and 13 walks to 14 strikeouts in 28 games this spring for Arkansas. He previously played at Pepperdine and Saint John’s River State College in Florida.
▪ RHP Troy Taylor, Cypress College (Round 20, No. 594 overall): The 19-year-old appeared in eight games (five starts) for Cypress College this season and posted a 3-1 record and 4.82 ERA, striking out 23 and walking 20 in 28 innings. He is committed to UC Irvine.
This story was originally published July 11, 2021 at 4:39 PM.
