Ezequiel Carrera

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #15 prospect in 2010
  Carrera stood in the shadow of the other two minor leaguers acquired from the Mets in the December 2008 trade of J.J. Putz, but the slight center fielder passed Maikel Cleto and Mike Carp by winning the Southern League's batting (.337) and on-base percentage (.441) titles in 2009. In fact, his OBP ranked third in the minors. While in the Mets system, he revered fellow Venezuelan Endy Chavez, whose game Carrera emulates. He excels as a defensive outfielder because of his first-step quickness and proper angles to the ball. He doesn't throw well, but he improved his release time and accuracy in 2009. An above-average runner, Carrera is adept at bunting for hits, stretching singles into doubles and stealing bases late in games. The definition of a pesky hitter, he can outlast pitchers for walks by fouling off even quality offerings. He offers little power, and none against lefthanders, against whom he still looks uncomfortable. He also doesn't read lefties well on stolen-base attempts, and his success rate fell from 81 percent versus righthanders to 43 percent against southpaws. He spent time on the disabled list with a high ankle sprain and sprained thumb last year, both sustained while chasing down balls in the outfield. Farm director Pedro Grifol describes Carrera as having a compact game, excelling in all aspects of small ball. It's difficult to see him supplanting any of Seattle's starting outfielders, but Carrera profiles as a valuable reserve.