Mariners Start Road Trip On Grand Fashion!

The Seattle Mariners Monday night started out beating the Minnesota Twins in the first game of four by the score of 14-3. I wonder how many fans watching the game were hoping that the Mariners would save some of the runs for the next three games at least.

Mitch Haniger is now back playing right field and was named the player of the game for the Mariners. He had four hits while scoring four times and driving in two runs. It certainly was the right way for him to come back after being on the disabled list and going on a rehab assignment.

 With the absence of Jean Segura the leadoff spot has not missed a spot with Ben Gamel being there against right handers and Guillermo Heredia against lefties. It looks like Segura will be coming off the disabled list sooner than expected.  Right now he is taking grounders at shortstop. He is expected to run the bases on Tuesday to see how things are going with his legs and ankle.

Having Segura back will mean that Gamel and Heredia will be at the lower part of the batting order which will make it tough along with Jarrod Dyson when he is in the lineup.

When Segura is back I see the lineup as Segura, Haniger, Cano, Cruz, Seager, Valencia, Gamel, Zunino or Ruiz and Dyson/Heredia.  Gamel has been taking grounders at first base for the last couple weeks or so. At times we may see all four Gamel, Heredia, Dyson and Heredia starting the game. I expect the Mariners will rest Valencia at least once a week against tough right handed pitchers. Whatever the case the Mariners will have strength of the bench to pinch hit or pinch run.

Mike Zunino continued his hot hitting getting three hits including a home run and driving in two runs. Since he has been on a good roll since coming back from Tacoma it looks he has made the adjustments to major league pitching. He does continue to strike out some however he is making the adjustments after that. It is a good sign as his confidence increases.

Yovani Gallardo had another rough start giving up two runs in the first inning however he did go six innings. His final run given up was in the sixth inning. The positive side was that he was able to go six innings. He was followed by relievers Tony Zych, James Pazos and Steve Cishek who each went an inning without giving up a hit. The bullpen has been doing an excellent job since the starters have been able to go six innings in the most part.

Christian Bergman who has been pitching well on the most part will take the mound against the Twins.  The Mariners brought back up Casey Lawrence who has done a good job. The Mariners keep bringing guys up and down who have been pitching long relief to keep the bullpen refreshed.  So Lawrence may be the first guy out of the bullpen Tuesday if he has to go several innings.  Most likely the Mariners will have Nick Vincent and Edwin Diaz pitching Tuesday as well.

Monday night was the start of the baseball amateur draft. Their first pick which was the 17^th overall pick was Evan White a first baseman out of University of Kentucky. He is excited to be part of the Mariners organization. Scott Hunter head of Mariner scouting says that he could play several different positions however their plan is to have him play first base.

With the second pick of the draft the Mariners drafted a right handed pitcher Sam Carlson out of Minnesota. He committed to University of Florida however the Mariners are expected to sign him. He was the 5^th overall pick in the draft. He is a big kid at 6’4 and 215 pounds. Being a young guy at eighteen years of age we won’t expect to see him for several years. I am sure the Mariners will bring him along slowly so he doesn’t develop arm trouble. White on the other hand being a college player and being three years older than Carlson will come along sooner. We hope that White will develop better than some of the other first round picks that the Mariners have had in recent years. Usually general manager Jerry Dipoto likes going with college players especially this early in the draft however he didn’t expect that Carlson would still be around so he thought that he would be worth the gamble to take.

Tuesday the draft continues with rounds 3 thru 10 and then concluded on Wednesday with 11 even thru 40. I expect that the Mariners will likely go with college players thru the 10^th round unless there is an exception of a player they didn’t expect to be available. I am sure we will see them pick some local players in the draft as well. David Peterson left handed pitcher out of University of Oregon who many thought the Mariners would pick at 17^th ending up going 20^th to the New York Mets. This shows how much Evan White meant to them.  Have more updates on the draft later. Go M’s.