SEATTLE MARINERS

Arizona Fall League a valuable experience for several young Mariners

Nov 19, 2012, 2:54 PM | Updated: 3:30 pm

By Shannon Drayer

It is time for a break for several young Mariners who played for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League the past month and a half. The fall season came to an end with the Javelinas beating the Salt River Rafters 4-3 in the championship game.

The Mariners’ first pick in this year’s draft, Mike Zunino, finished strong, going 3 for 5 and driving in two runs. In 19 games in the AFL, Zunino hit .288/.337/.463/.800. Add this to his numbers from Everett and Jackson this year and Zunino has hit .366/.428/.610/.1.038 in his first experience as a professional player.

His numbers behind the plate in Arizona were a little concerning as he allowed a number of passed balls and stolen bases. In talking to a couple of people in the organization this does not appear to be a huge concern as they like what he did before fall league. They also pointed out that it can be a challenge in Arizona, where as a catcher you are most often catching pitchers you are unfamiliar with as players from multiple teams make up the fall league squads. There is little question Zunino’s first pro season was a success and it will be very interesting to see what he does in spring training and if he will be allowed the chance to compete for a position out of camp.

Nick Franklin also excelled, hitting .388/.422/.519/.942 in 20 games. The Mariners were looking to get him more experience as well as some success and a confidence boost at the plate after struggling a bit in his first months at Triple-A. This sets him up nicely for spring training.

After a slow start, Vinnie Catricala turned it on late and finished with a .279/.329/.412/.741 line. It will be interesting to see what happens with him in the next 24 hours as roster decisions loom with the 40-man protected list due at 11:59 Eastern Tuesday.

Stefen Romero made the most of his limited opportunities as a member of the “taxi squad”, hitting .333/.375/.511/.886. Romero’s versatility could make him a candidate for a final spot on the roster this spring.

The Mariners pitchers, James Paxton included, pitched limited innings and did not put up great numbers although it is tough to do so in such small samples. Paxton got work in after missing time with a knee injury earlier this year. Lefty Bobby LaFromboise did not allow a run in his last six outings and Logan Bawcom was able to give the Mariners a little more of a look after coming over from the Dodgers at the deadline.

News and notes

The “King of Perfection” DVD is now available in Mariners team stores. The DVD includes the entire perfect game thrown by Felix Hernandez as well as postgame interviews and bonus features. The DVD gives viewers the option of listening to the radio play-by-play called by Rick Rizzs and Ken Wilson or the TV broadcast with Mike Blowers and Dave Sims. The video sells for $10.

As I said above, tomorrow is the deadline to submit the final 40-man rosters before the Rule 5 Draft. The Mariners have some decisions to make here and I will have more on that later.

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Rain Showers
High 52° | Low 42°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 7:10pm

Seattle Mariners

baseball movie Kevin Costner Field of Dreams...

Brent Stecker

Top 10: Who are the best baseball movie actors of all-time?

To determine the top 10 actors of baseball movie history, we limit the list to those who acted in as least two baseball movies.

5 minutes ago

Seattle Mariners roster J.P. Crawford...

Brent Stecker

Seattle Mariners announce opening day 26-man roster

The Seattle Mariners have announced their 26-man roster for opening day of the 2024 season as well as players starting on the IL.

3 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Mariners’ young core, now veterans, fueled by last year’s letdown

Falling back can be a part of growing up, and for the once young core of the Seattle Mariners, it is now part of their DNA.

3 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

18 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Bryce Miller Logan Gilbert Bryan Woo...

Brandon Gustafson

Dontrelle Willis: Mariners’ rotation provides ‘quality every single day’

Dontrelle Willis, a former MLB pitcher and current analyst for FOX Sports, gives his Seattle Mariners insight ahead of opening day.

21 hours ago

Seattle Mariners commercials Julio Rodríguez...

Brent Stecker

Latest Mariners commercial teams Julio up with a franchise icon

Add a new duo to the list of great pairings in Seattle Mariners commercials, with All-Star outfielder Julio Rodríguez joined by a team icon.

24 hours ago

Arizona Fall League a valuable experience for several young Mariners