Mariners Draft Report Card

Best Pure Hitter: OF Josh Stowers (2) and C Cal Raleigh (3) are both above-average hitters with solid plate discipline. Both this spring walked more than they struck out and impressed this summer.

Best Power Hitter: C Jake Anchia (7) broke the career home run record at Nova Southeastern (Fla.), J.D. Martinez‘s alma mater, and his well above-average raw power may already rank as the best in the Mariners’ system. Stowers and Raleigh both also provide solid power and Raleigh hit eight home runs in just 38 games with short-season Everett.

Fastest Runner: Stowers has plus speed and ranks among the fastest players in the Mariners’ system. He makes that speed play on the bases and he this summer stole 20 bases in 58 games with Everett. 

Best Defensive Player: SS Ryan Ogren (12) developed a strong defensive reputation at Elon and has the pure tools to stick at shortstop, if he hits enough to be a regular. 

Best Fastball: RHP Logan Gilbert (1) last summer in the Cape Cod League ran his fastball up to 97 mph and gets elite extension with his loose, simple delivery, helping his stuff play up. He this spring was more typically throwing in the low 90s, but he also likely pitched with mononucleosis for much of the spring before it was diagnosed after the draft. 

Best Secondary Pitch: RHP Joey Gerber (8) gets plus grades on his slider that plays well out of the bullpen. Gilbert this spring led the nation with 163 strikeouts in 112.1 innings in part thanks to his breaking ball.

Best Pro Debut: OF Keegan McGovern (9) this spring earned All-America honors as a senior with Georgia and then carried that momentum into pro ball. The Mariners challenged him with an assignment to low Class A Clinton and he hit .268/.351/.523 with 15 home runs. 

Best Athlete: McGovern, who was also a football standout in high school, and Stowers both impress with their athleticism. OF Charlie McConnell (13) also played hockey in high school and is a plus runner.

Most Intriguing Background: RHP Joey O’Brien (6) is the son of a Marine and was born in Japan. He last year moved to the U.S. to pitch at JC of Southern Nevada, where he was a standout two-way player. His brother, Richard, last year was selected in the NPB draft.

Closest To The Majors: Though Gilbert has yet to make his professional debut due to his illness, it would not come as a surprise if he is the first player from this class to reach the major leagues. McGovern’s fast professional start has also put him on an accelerated track.

Best Late-Round Pick: Though The Mariners this year loaded up on college players (32 of the 34 players they signed went to two- or four-year colleges), they also landed a couple intriguing prep players. RHP Damon Casetta-Stubbs (11) and LHP Holden Laws (16) fit a similar profile as projectable pitchers who already have good strike-throwing ability. 

The One Who Got Away: The Mariners signed their first 34 picks before the streak ended with RHP Will Gambino (35). Gambino and LHP Justin Wrobleski (36) are both athletic, promising pitchers with fastballs that reach the mid 90s already. Gambino is now at Kentucky, while Wrobleski has two-way potential at Clemson.