Dipoto: 2 top Mariners pitching prospects are turning heads at camp
Mar 4, 2023, 9:23 AM
Mariners prospect Bryce Miller pitches for the Arkansas Travelers on Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
The Mariners have a number of players who are grabbing attention at spring training so far, such as superstar Julio Rodríguez, 2021 Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray and former top prospect Jarred Kelenic. But there are also two players who have yet to make their MLB debuts who have turned heads early on.
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During the weekly Jerry Dipoto Show on Seattle Sports, the Mariners president of baseball operations shared two top prospects who have caught his eye down in Peoria.
The first name is likely the biggest prospect who will debut for the Mariners this season, and that’s right-handed pitcher Bryce Miller.
Miller, a 2021 fourth-round pick, has done nothing but shine since he was drafted, reaching Double-A last season and establishing himself as a consensus top-100 prospect in the game.
Miller pitched against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday and shined, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out two.
“His first outing was everything that you could have envisioned. He really did pop,” Dipoto said.
Miller is known for his electric fastball and a dangerous slider, and the fastball in particular stands out in every way.
“The data attached to his fastball, especially, it’s otherworldly,” Dipoto said. “We think it’s the most impactful fastball in the minor leagues for a pitcher who starts.”
The other prospect firmly on Dipoto’s radar is also a right-handed pitcher: Prelander Berroa.
The Mariners acquired the 22 year old from the San Francisco Giants organization early last year in exchange for utility man Donovan Walton. Since then, Berroa has dominated for the M’s, reaching Double-A late in 2022.
Berroa threw two scoreless innings in his spring training debut last week against San Diego, and he did so while facing the top of the Padres’ order. He struck out All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts and former Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz.
Overall, Berroa threw two scoreless innings and picked up three strikeouts.
And on Thursday, Berroa threw two scoreless innings with two more strikeouts, which was also against San Diego.
“The other guy who really jumped off the page in terms of pitch quality was Prelander Berroa,” Dipoto said. “It was three pitches that really blew up the data systems. Very impressive and how he managed the strike zone.”
Berroa has electric stuff, but the question with him is that ability to manage the strike zone.
“That’s something that if he figures that out – he’s 22 years old – if Prelander figures out command with the physical stuff he has, it changes the world for us,” Dipoto said.
Listen to the full interview with Dipoto at this link or in the player below.
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