Seattle Mariners: 7 Prospects Who Will Have a Major Impact

With the 2011 season another forgettable one for Seattle Mariners fans and players, there are a few bright spots to encourage slouching Seattle fans everywhere.

Dustin Ackley

The second-overall draft pick of 2009 played in 90 games in 2011, hitting .273 with six home runs and 36 RBI, along with seven triples, which was good for eight in the American League.

Ackley has a fluid swing and lots of athleticism. He's versatile on defense; originally drafted as a center fielder, Ackley played 86 games at second at one at first base in 2011. Expect Ackley to start at second base to start the 2012 season and be a key player for Seattle for years to come.

Michael Pineda

The giant right-hander got off to a hot start last season, displaying his tremendous fastball. He finished at 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA in 28 starts, and his record would have been better if the Mariners could score any runs.

Pineda also struck out 173 batters, while opponents hit just .211 against the 22-year-old rookie. Pineda will definitely be in the starting rotation at the beginning of 2012. 

Mike Carp

Carp has played in parts of the last three seasons in Seattle, but look for him to be in the lineup Opening Day 2012, either in left field or as a designated hitter. Carp hit .276 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI in 2011, with a slugging percentage of .466.

Carp is 25 years old and ready to break out in 2012.

Other notables: oft-injured 1B Justin Smoak, OF Trayvon Robinson, another run for Eric Wedge's mustache?

Now on to the prospects. The Mariners need to utilize their young talent to the max, as their veteran players haven't exactly been pulling their weight lately (i.e. Chone Figgins).  

7. Guillermo Pimentel, OF

The 19-year-old Dominican outfielder has miles of potential. Ranked sixth among outfield prospects according to MLB.com, Pimentel has shown good power, belting 11 home runs in 65 games last season in the minors.

He also hit .256 with 10 doubles and 46 RBI, and at this point, the only things holding him back from a major league stint are his strikeouts (73) and inexperience. At 19, look for Pimentel in the next year or two.

6. Chance Ruffin, RHP

Ruffin already has some major league experience (1-0 4.08 ERA in 15 games) and could see a lot more in the near future. Last season in the minors, Ruffin compiled a 3-3 record with a 2.03 ERA and 19 saves in 44 games. His strikeout-to-walk ratio was nearly three to one over that span, and opponents hit just .207.

At 23, Ruffin has a shot to solidify himself in the Seattle bullpen right out of spring training, if not as a midseason call-up.

5. Francisco Martinez, 2B

Martinez came to the Mariners organization last season just before the trade deadline and contributed right away.

In 124 games in the minors last year, Martinez hit at a .289 clip with 10 homers and 69 runs batted in. Those offensive numbers will only get better, as Martinez is only 21. He also showcased some speed, swiping 10 bags in '11.

The Mariners have a few solid young middle infielders, so don't expect to see Martinez on a consistent basis for a few years.

4. Alex Liddi, 3B

Liddi may at last be the replacement at third the M's have been unsuccessfully searching for since the departure of Adrián Beltré.

In 15 major league games, the Italian has already blasted three home runs. In 138 minor league games last season, Liddi hit 30 out of the park and drove in 104 runs. His batting average isn't special, but he fits the bill of a Mark Reynolds, lots of home runs, low average and lots of strikeouts. At this point, the Mariners will take a little pop in the lineup and worry about batting averages later.

Liddi is 23, and without many serviceable third basemen already in Seattle, Alex could definitely make the club out of spring training.

3. James Paxton, LHP

Paxton has yet to see any action in the big leagues, but probably will very soon.

The 23-year-old southpaw is reported to be able to rev up his fastball to 98 MPH and hit 95 consistently. In 17 starts in the minors last season, Paxton went 6-3 with a 2.37 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 95 innings.

He has a chance to make the rotation out of spring training, but will definitely be a midseason call-up in the next year or two.

2. Taijuan Walker, RHP

Walker is the best pitching prospect in the Mariners organization. At just 19, he isn't expected to be hurried to the big show, but when he does arrive, he should have an immediate impact.

The lanky right-hander went 6-5 with a 2.89 ERA in 18 starts last year in the minors, as well as striking out 113 batters while walking only 39. Opponents hit .202 against him and he carried a WHIP of 1.12. Some of these stats may not be eye popping, but they are certainly very impressive given Walker is just 19 years old.

Look for Walker to make an appearance in Seattle in the next two or three years.

1. Nick Franklin, SS

Shortstops are still the most coveted defensive position players, and Nick Franklin would make a nice double play combo with Dustin Ackley.

No offense to Brendan Ryan (pun intended), but Franklin might be who the Mariners need at shortstop sooner rather than later.

In 86 minor league games last season, he hit .281 with 64 runs scored and a .418 slugging percentage. Franklin also has some power and speed, hitting seven home runs and stealing 18 bases. In 2010, Franklin was one of three players to hit 20 homers and swipe 20 bags, according to MLB.com.

He doesn't strike out much, and is ranked third among shortstop prospects, according to MLB.com.

He's a switch hitter and five-tool player, and could develop into a perennial All-Star. It wouldn't surprise many to see Franklin make the club out of spring training, and develop a rapport with Ackley in the infield.