Mariners notebook: Another strong outing for Taijuan Walker

Mariners right-hander Taijuan Walker continues to get good work in fall ball. Plus two prospects who could surprise in spring training.

BY SHANNON DRAYER

Oct 13, 2014, 4:17 PM Updated: 9:06 pm

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Just a quick update from the Arizona Fall League:

Taijuan Walker made his second start of the fall and all went well. He threw five innings, gave up one run on two hits, walked two and struck out six. His fastball was 95-97 mph with one 98 in his final inning for good measure. He hit 97 in the first inning, which was good to see. He comes out with his velocity and doesn’t have to work up to it. He was mostly fastball/curveball today and hasn’t thrown his changeup very much in his first two outings. I will be interested to see if we see that more in his future outings.

As for the rest of the Mariners who saw action in the 7-4 loss to Salt River, Patrick Kivlehan went 1 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout. He was at first base and hitting third while DJ Peterson – who went 0 for 4 – was at third and hit sixth. Matt Braziz pitched a scoreless 1 1/3 innings, striking out three, and John Hicks went 0 for 3 with a walk. Very interesting to see Hicks in the fall league. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if he pushes for the backup catcher spot this spring.

Notes

• DJ Peterson and Ketel Marte were named to the Baseball America’s 2014 Southern League Top 20 Prospects list. Peterson came in at No. 8 while Marte was No. 15. Marte hasn’t received a lot of recognition locally but is a very highly thought of prospect by the Mariners. He finished his season hitting .313 with an .817 OPS in 19 games with the Rainiers. There was some thought of bringing him up in September but the team opted to send him to instructional league instead. If the need for another infielder had arisen in September, or October for that matter, he most likely would have gotten the call.

• Programming note: Game 3 of the ALCS was rained out today and rescheduled for tomorrow. 710 ESPN Seattle will join the game in progress at 6 p.m.