Headlined by big-name bats, Mariners' system strong on pitching depth, too
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Mariners placed fifth in MLB Pipeline's new farm system rankings, thanks in large part to their seven Top 100 Prospects. That total ties them with the Cubs for the most in baseball, and all seven of them are hitters. Don't get the impression that the organization
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Mariners placed fifth in MLB Pipeline's new farm system rankings, thanks in large part to their seven Top 100 Prospects. That total ties them with the Cubs for the most in baseball, and all seven of them are hitters.
Don't get the impression that the organization that drafted and developed four-fifths of its formidable big league rotation (Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo) is short on pitching prospects, however. They may be overshadowed by the bats in the system, but Seattle has some talented arms, too.
The Mariners restocked their pitching supply with their top two picks in the 2024 Draft. They spent the 15th overall pick and $4,880,900 on Mississippi State switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (No. 9), then moved some bonus pool money around to come up with $3 million for Illinois high school right-hander Ryan Sloan (No. 8) when he unexpectedly dropped to the middle of the second round. Both will make their pro debuts in April.
Developing Cijntje will be interesting, to say the least. He draws Marcus Stroman comparisons as a righty with a mid-90s fastball, a mid-80s slider and a hard changeup with fade. He has more of a reliever look with a lower slot as a lefty, operating with a low-90s heater and a sweepier low-80s breaking ball.
Cijntje likes pitching with both arms -- he'll work as a righty against some lefties -- and Seattle will see how it plays out.
"We're going to try to be balanced," farm director Justin Toole said. "From a workload standpoint, we're figuring out what it will look like and how he handles it. His velo has ticked up a little this spring, up to 98 right-handed and to 93 left-handed.
"As the spring progresses, we're getting more feel for it. When he was at his best in college, what did that look like and can we try to replicate that?"
Sloan has all the ingredients to be an ace, but the industry's general skittishness about high school arms allowed him to drop further than he should have. He's a strong 6-foot-5, 220-pounder with the potential for three plus pitches (lively mid-90s fastball, advanced mid-80s changeup, sweeping low-80s slider) and good feel for his craft.
"You hear about his velocity, his body and his physicality, and since he has gotten here, the command he has been able to show with his stuff has been exciting," Toole said. "He's a top-of-the-rotation starter type. Everybody in camp is excited about him, whether it's on the Major League or Minor League side."
Beyond those two headliners, righty Logan Evans (No. 10) and lefty Brandyn Garcia (No. 16) added strength in Seattle's high-performance camp during the winter and that could translate into improved stuff. They look like college steals in back-to-back rounds from the 2023 Draft, with Garcia going in the 11th round out of Texas A&M and Evans in the 12th from Pittsburgh. Garcia led the system with a 2.25 ERA while reaching Double-A last season.
"Evans sits 93-95 mph and he can sink it, ride it, cut it and spin it," Toole said. "He has six pitches and can attack hitters with each one. Garcia's sinker is real and he's learning to pitch as a starter."
The Mariners also have several other righties worth monitoring. Michael Morales (third round, 2021) and Ashton Izzi (fourth round, 2022) were seven-figure high-school picks and show mid-rotation potential. Jeter Martinez (No. 17) was one of the best arms in the '23 international class and will make his full-season debut this year.
Teddy McGraw (No. 18) was trending toward the first round in '23 before blowing out his elbow at Wake Forest. Hunter Cranton (No. 24) was nearly 24 when Seattle drafted him as a $50,000 money saver in the third round last July to help afford Sloan's over-slot bonus, but he can also pump his fastball up to 100 mph and back it up with an upper-80s slider. Don't be surprised if he surfaces in the big league bullpen this summer.
Camp standout: Tai Peete
Several of Seattle's Top 100 prospects have looked good in Cactus League action. Catcher Harry Ford (No. 4/MLB No. 64) has gone 7-for-12 with a homer and three steals, outfielder Lazaro Montes (No. 2/MLB No. 42) has crushed a pair of monstrous home runs and shortstop Felnin Celesten (No. 5/MLB No. 73) is fully healthy again after July hamate surgery.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Peete (No. 12) hasn't gotten as much run in big league camp but the Mariners are bullish on his potential to take a big step forward this year. The 30th overall pick in '23, when scouts considered him one of the best athletes in the high school class, he's making the transition from shortstop to center field. He slashed .269/.343/.408 with 42 extra-base hits and 45 steals in 116 games as an 18-year-old in Single-A last summer.
"He's focusing more on playing center field and hitting the ground running," Toole said. "He has played very good defense with the Major League group and his swing looks very good. The bat speed is there. We love the bat, the defense and the kid."
Breakout potential: Ashton Izzi
An Oswego (Ill.) East HS teammate of Noah Schultz, who became a White Sox first-rounder and is now the game's top lefty pitching prospect, Izzi has developed more slowly. He didn't pitch after signing in 2022, spent the next year in Rookie ball and posted a 2.85 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 110 2/3 innings in Single-A last season. The Mariners like how his stuff continues to improve.
"Izzi looks good and we think there's a little more meat on the bone," Toole said. "His fastball has been 94-96 mph and there's more in there. We really like both his slider and changeup. The changeup has better action and his slider isn't as consistent. He's been working on different slider grips."
Draft sleeper: Christian Little
Little ranked as one of the best high school right-handers and a potential first-rounder in the 2021 Draft before graduating early and enrolling early at Vanderbilt. He never lived up to his billing in college, logging a 5.75 ERA while battling his control for four seasons split between the Commodores and Louisiana State. The Mariners signed him for a slightly over-slot $200,000 in the 11th round last July and have yet to pitch him in a pro game.
"I think the extended break has been good for him," Toole said. "He's healthy, his body is good, the velocity is there, he's been up to 98 mph. We hope to get him back on track. He understands who he is and what he needs to do to have success. We've had him focus on targeting and he has been good this spring."
Jim Callis is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him @jimcallisMLB and @jimcallis.bsky.social. Listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Champ Announced As Bat Dog For 2025 Season
The Durham Bulls today announced that Champ, the younger brother of Ripken The Bat Dog, will take over as the team’s bat dog at select games for the 2025 season. “We are very excited for Champ to continue Ripken’s legacy at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, and cannot wait to see
All-Session Passes On Sale Now for 2025 ACC Baseball Championship
All-session passes for the 2025 ACC Baseball Championship in Durham, North Carolina, are on sale now. The six-day tournament is scheduled for May 20-25, 2025, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR ALL-SESSION PASSES Full-session passes are available with prices as low as $150 dollars for terrace
Bulls Announce 2025 Promotions Schedule
The Durham Bulls today announced their promotions for the upcoming 2025 season, which will mark the 30 years since Durham Bulls Athletic Park opened on April 6, 1995. Single-game tickets for all 75 home dates are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here. The 2025 season features
Carson Williams Among Rays Players Set to Participate in Spring Breakout
Rosters have been announced for the second Spring Breakout, a four-day event showcasing the future of baseball with games between the best prospects in each farm system across Grapefruit and Cactus League ballparks. The Tampa Bay Rays roster features several of the organization's top-rated minor league players, including top prospect
Rays Reassign Four Pitchers to Minor League Camp
The Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday afternoon announced they have reassigned four pitchers to minor league camp, including 2024 Bulls pitchers Logan Workman and Alfredo Zarraga. Two other hurlers, lefty Keyshaw Askew and righty Austin Vernon, could also potentially pitch in Durham at some point this year. CLICK HERE TO
DBAP 30 For 30: Counting Down to Opening Night
As we celebrate the 30 years since Durham Bulls Athletic Park first opened on April 6, 1995, each day leading up to Opening Night on Tuesday, April 1 we'll be counting down (starting at 30, naturally), sharing significant achievements, milestones, and the various players and coaches who have been affiliated
Chrystal Rowe Announced As Bulls Interim General Manager
The Durham Bulls announced today that Tyler Parsons has departed the organization to pursue a new opportunity. Chrystal Rowe, who is entering her third season with the Bulls, has been named Durham’s Interim General Manager. “I’m excited to continue working alongside our dedicated team to build on the rich tradition
DBAP to Host Matchup between UNC & ECU on Saturday, February 22
Durham Bulls Athletic Park will play host to a clash between two preseason top 25 college baseball squads when the University of North Carolina Tar Heels face off against the East Carolina University Pirates on Saturday, February 22. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30pm ET, with tickets on sale now
Bulls Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
The Durham Bulls, in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Rays, have announced their field staff for the 2025 campaign, the franchise’s 30th year at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Morgan Ensberg is set to return to Durham for his second season as manager, with Pitching Coach Brian Reith, Hitting Coach Kenny
Rays Announce Two-Year Extension with Rasmussen for 2025-26 Seasons
The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Tuesday they have signed right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen to a two-year contract extension for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with a club option for 2027. The 29-year-old has made appearances with the Bulls during portions of the 2021 and 2024 campaigns, the latter as
Bulls Announce New Partnership with NCSH
The Durham Bulls announced today a new partnership with the North Carolina Specialty Hospital (NCSH) to promote high-quality and specialized health care within the Triangle. “We are excited to partner with the Durham Bulls, a team that shares our commitment to excellence and community”, said Randi Shults, CEO of North
Bulls Announce Extension of Partnership with Alpaca Chicken
The Durham Bulls today announced an extension of their partnership with the veteran, minority, and family-owned restaurant, to bring the Triangle closer to their delicious Peruvian menu. The extension means Alpaca Chicken will not only be an official sponsor of the Bulls, but also of the Holly Springs Salamanders in
Durham’s Hendricks Named IL Groundskeeper Of The Year
Minor League Baseball (MiLB) has announced that the Durham Bulls’ Dylan Hendricks has been awarded the International League’s Head Groundskeeper of the Year for the 2024 season. The winners of the groundskeeper and home/visiting clubhouse manager awards were selected using the results of surveys of league managers, players and executives
Bulls Announce New Partnership With IIANC
The Durham Bulls today announced a partnership with the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (“IIANC”) to promote safer driving across our communities. The collaboration will combine the market leading reach of the Bulls across their in-stadium attendance as well as their social media following and IIANC’s expertise in local
Bulls Awarded 2024's "Most Unique Partner Activation"
The Durham Bulls won a 2024 Golden Bobblehead Award for having the most unique partner activation, an award presented to the iconic club at Minor League Baseball’s Fall Business Summit Awards Reception. Minor League Baseball (MiLB) announced the winners of the 2024 Golden Bobblehead Awards for top promotional activities and
Bulls Fall To Memphis In Season Finale, 8-6
The Durham Bulls fell to the Memphis Redbirds 8-6 in the regular season finale at Auto Zone Park on Sunday, but Jake Mangum became the first Bulls’ hitter to win the league batting title in five years. Memphis (36-37, 73-74) scored six times in the first inning against Durham starter
Redbirds Blank Bulls, 8-0
Zack Thompson and Connor Thomas combined on a four-hitter as the Memphis Redbirds defeated the Durham Bulls 8-0 on Saturday afternoon at Auto Zone Park. Thompson (W, 4-6) worked six shutout innings, with Thomas (S, 3) earning a three-inning save. Memphis (35-37) took a 1-0 lead against Bulls starter Logan
Memphis Evens Series With 8-5 Win Over Bulls
Ramon Mendoza broke a 5-5 tie in the seventh with a single to send the Memphis Redbirds past the Durham Bulls 8-5 on Friday night at Auto Zone Park. The Bulls (36-37) trailed 3-1 in the sixth before Bob Seymour and Heriberto Hernandez struck for long home runs to push
Bulls Blank Memphis, 4-0
Joe Rock struck out a season-high 10 batters of seven innings, while International League leading hitter Jake Mangum had two hits and drove in two to lead the Durham Bulls past the Memphis Redbirds 4-0 at Auto Zone Park on Thursday night. Rock (W, 7-8) permitted four hits and one
Redbirds Rally Past Bulls, 5-4
The Memphis Redbirds scored five unanswered runs to defeat the Durham Bulls 5-4 on Wednesday afternoon at Auto Zone Park. The Bulls (35-36) jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 1 ½ innings before the Redbirds (33-36) rallied to knot the series 1-game apiece. In the first inning, Kameron Misner
Jackson Powers Bulls Over Memphis, 3-1
Alex Jackson clubbed a two-run homer in the second inning to propel the Durham Bulls past the Memphis Redbirds 3-1 on Tuesday night at Auto Zone Park. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Bulls (35-35) as they claimed the opener of the final series of the season.
Tides Beat Bulls In Extras Again, 2-1 In 11
Forrest Wall singled home Daniel Johnson to lead off the 11th inning as the Norfolk Tides beat the Durham Bulls 2-1 before 9,115 fans at the DBAP on Saturday night. The Tides (29-39) beat the Bulls (34-34) for the third straight game and second consecutive night in extra innings. Wall’s
Norfolk Edges Past Durham In 10, 3-2
Samuel Basallo snapped a 2-2 tie in the 10th inning with a single to centerfield to lift the Norfolk Tides past the Durham Bulls 3-2 before 9,168 fans at the DBAP on Friday night. Trailing 2-0 in the eighth, Kameron Misner clubbed a two-strike, two-out home run to tie the
Tides Shade Bulls, 2-1
Hudson Haskin hit a two-run double in the top of the seventh to snap a scoreless game to lead the Norfolk Tides past the Durham Bulls 2-1 before 8,075 fans at the DBAP on Thursday night. Durham’s Joe Rock (L, 6-8) and the Tides’ (27-39) Trevor Rogers dueled across six
Bulls Bash Three Homers In 8-1 Win Over Tides
The Durham Bulls hit three homers, while Ian Seymour threw six solid innings to lead the Bulls past the Norfolk Tides 8-1 at Tuesday night at the DBAP. Kameron Misner hit a two-run shot in the first, with Jake Mangum clocking a three-run shot in the fifth. Bob Seymour, who