Mariners’ Brock Rodden Adapts Quickly To Pro Ball
When the Mariners drafted second baseman Brock Rodden in the fifth round last year, some analysts saw the selection as one of the steals of the draft.
As a 5-foot-9 switch-hitter who showed speed, bat-to-ball skills and power in two standout seasons at Wichita State, Rodden was a player that Mariners farm director Justin Toole was thrilled to add to the organization.
Rodden hit .302/.413/.485 with nine home runs and 21 stolen bases in 67 games for High-A Everett this season. That performance earned him a June 26 promotion to Double-A Arkansas.
The 24-year-old Rodden’s quick rise through the system has Toole excited about his future.
“I think one of the things that jumped out to us when he signed was just his competitiveness,” Toole said. “He competes with an edge, plays with an edge—and that’s something that you can see in the box and on the field with him.”
One year in, Rodden has made the adjustment from college to pro ball with relative ease.
It began with a strong pro debut with Low-A Modesto last year. He put up an .841 OPS to help power the Nuts to a California League title.
“He’s one of those guys who has got a wide range of tools,” Toole said. “Whether it’s running the bases, a little bit of speed or a little bit of power, it has definitely been a pleasant surprise of how his game has translated to the pro game.”
As an older prospect who signed as a college senior. Rodden is equipped to handle the tougher pitching he will see in the Texas League.
“He’s done a tremendous job of going through and transitioning to our organization,” Toole said. “He’s the perfect type of player, the type that we love, just in terms of what he’s about and what he can do on the field.”
MARINADE
— The Mariners moved Double-A Arkansas righthander Logan Evans back to the rotation last week, ending the experiment of making him a reliever. Seattle moved Evans to the bullpen earlier this season with the thought that he could provide relief help if Seattle decided to call up its 12th-round pick from last year. But after Evans made seven scoreless relief appearances, the Mariners decided to focus on developing him as a starter.
— Double-A Arkansas catcher Harry Ford made his first career start in left field on July 6. He has outstanding speed and athleticism for a catcher and has been practicing his outfield defense the past couple of weeks to improve his positional versatility, according to Travelers broadcaster Steven Davis.
Ford has been the subject of trade rumors lately, as the Mariners eye adding thump to an offense-starved roster.
