Sound Off For Mariners' Day One

On day one of the draft, Seattle picked up four positional players. That's right, no pitchers. While many are frustrated that the M's passed on the likes of Tanner Sheppers, James Paxton, and Rex Brothers twice, I am kind of at a moot point.

It's no secret that Z loves positional players. All of his marquee draftees in Milwaukee were position players.

But here's my thing, why did we have to significantly overdraft on the likes of Nick Franklin and Steven Baron? Both of which could be had at 51 and 82.

I can only think of 2 real reasons.

1) We want to save money in this particularly shallow draft, in order to draft higher end players next year and be able to sign them.

2) They are worried about injuries to Sheppers, as well as feel Paxton's long term role will be in the pen (not much as far as secondary options) and the fact that Brothers is nothing too special.

Whatever the reasons, here are the 4 day one draftees of the Seattle Mariners.

No. 2; Dustin Ackley OF, 2B

Ackley steps on day one and becomes one of, if not the, top prospect in the M's system. He'll hit for high average and OBP, hit with average power, and will play above average D wherever he ends up. He should be with the Mariners soon. Maybe mid 2010.

No. 27; Nick Franklin SS

As I said before, I'm a little puzzled by this pick. Franklin could easily be had at 51 if not 82. Even with his late rise up draft boards, he is not a first round talent.

That being said, he's a very fine player. Solid tools, but nothing spectacular. He will stick at SS and switch hits, so he's definitely a fit in the rainy city. He also has the approach that the M's are now preaching to everyone (which is wait for your pitch, if it doesn't come, take your walk).

Once again a nice pick, and should compete for a SS job a couple years down the line.

No. 33; Steven Baron C

Already reached an agreement before the draft, as the Mariners will save money with this pick.

Good defensive skills and very athletic, he should stick behind the plate. However his bat is pretty questionable, mainly due to timing and squaring up the ball. He's just graduating, so he has time to work out things with the stick.

If he does, he's an above average catcher in this league.

No. 51; Rich Poythress DH/ Possible 1B

Been tagged as Jack's type of player, and with good reason. He destroys the fastball, had a very impressive year for the Bulldogs this year, and has the approach Z has coveted. He's a right handed 1B though, which is why he fell to 51, but was without a doubt the best talent available for the M's with that pick. His defense is less than adequate, which makes him more of a DH type.

Being right handed, Safeco is not the place you want him to develop. He'll most likely be a trade chip sometime in the near future.

No. 82; Kyle Seager 3B/2B

To finish the day the Mariners picked up a lefty third baseman by the name of Kyle Seager. Another solid player with no amazingly good skills. His approach at the plate is fitting for the team that drafted him, a gap hitter more than home run threat, and has the defense to stick at third or second.

Similar to Nick Franklin, although Franklin is younger and as it stands now, better.

Final Thoughts

Giving grades in the MLB draft is pretty stupid, but right now I'd give these guys a C+/B-

That's just as it stands right now. In a year, it could be anywhere. That's why its pretty pointless. I do however, think are they are steadier and better track than the one taken during the Bavasi years.

The Mariners brass definitely had a theme of taking toolsy players over big name players, projectable players over boom or busts, and obviously positional over pitchers. Whether it works will be seen 5-10 years from now.

Here's to saying it does.