Tagged: Danny Hultzen
Mariners Add Powell & Kivlehan to 40-Man Roster
Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto announced today the following roster moves:
- Patrick Kivlehan, INF, selected from AAA Tacoma.
- Boog Powell, OF, selected from AAA Tacoma.
- Danny Hultzen, LHP, designated for assignment.
The Mariners Major League 40-man roster is now full.
Kivlehan, 25, hit .256 (121×472) with 58 runs, 25 doubles, 1 triple, 22 home runs, 73 RBI, 36 walks and 14 stolen bases in 123 games in his first full season with AAA Tacoma. He participated for the U.S.A. in the Pan Am Games, hitting .342 with a team-leading 3 home runs. He led the Rainiers in games played (123), while also finishing among the team leaders in home runs (T1st/22), doubles (2nd, 25), RBI (3rd, 73), hits (3rd, 121) and walks (3rd, 36). His 22 home runs ranked T7th in the Pacific Coast League. Kivlehan appeared in games at 6 different positions: first base (30 G/26 GS), third base (26 G/23 GS), left field (48 G/46 GS), center field (11 G/9 GS), right field (13 G/11 GS) and designated hitter (7 GS).
Kivlehan was the Mariners 4th round selection in the 2012 Amateur Draft out of Rutgers University. In four minor league seasons in the Mariners organization, he has hit .288 (507×1762) with 262 runs, 99 doubles, 16 triples, 70 home runs, 318 RBI, 54 stolen bases, a .352 on-base percentage and a .481 slugging percentage in 461 games.
Powell, 22, was acquired by the Mariners as part of a six-player trade along with RHP Nathan Karns and LHP C.J. Riefenhauser from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for 1B Logan Morrison, INF/OF Brad Miller and RHP Danny Farquhar on November 5. He hit .295 (131×444) with 66 runs scored, 16 doubles, 9 triples, 3 home runs, 40 RBI, 61 walks, 18 stolen bases and a .385 on-base percentage combined between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham in 2015. Powell began the season with Montgomery and was named to the 2015 Southern League All-Star team. Overall with the Biscuits, he hit .328 (78×238) with 44 runs scored, 6 doubles, 6 triples, 1 home run, 22 RBI, 29 walks, 11 stolen bases and a .408 on-base percentage in 61 games. At the time of his promotion to Durham on June 26, Powell ranked among the Southern League leaders in average (3rd, .328), hits (3rd, 78), runs scored, (T3rd, 44) and on-base percentage (4th, .408). Over 56 games with Durham, Powell hit .257 (53×206) with 22 run scored, 10 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs and 18 RBI.
Powell was originally selected by Oakland in the 20th round of the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Orange Coast College. He was traded from the Athletics along with C John Jaso, INF Daniel Roberson and cash considerations to Tampa Bay in in exchange for SS Yunel Escobar and INF/OF Ben Zobrist on January 10, 2015. Over four seasons in the minor leagues, he batted .308 (333x1082ss) with 170 runs scored, 34 doubles, 17 triples, 6 home runs, 95 RBI, 163 walks and 53 stolen bases in 294 games. In his career has a .401 on-base percentage, including a .451 on-base percentage in 2014 that was 2nd-best in the minor leagues.
Hultzen, 25, went 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA (3 ER, 8.0 IP) in 3 starts with AA Jackson. He began the season on the disabled list and was reactivated on May 1. He made 3 starts with Jackson before being placed on the disabled list on May 26 for the remainder of the season with a left rotator cuff strain. In four years (three seasons) in the Mariners organization, he was 14-9 with a 2.84 ERA (53 ER, 167.2 IP) with 186 strikeouts in 35 starts. He missed the entire 2014 season recovering from left shoulder surgery on Oct. 1, 2013 to clean up his labrum, a partial tear of the rotator cuff and repaired a capsule. Hultzen was selected by the Mariners in the first round (2nd overall) of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA).
The Mariners now have 10 days to trade, release or outright Hultzen’s contract to the minors.
Mariners Update – June 21
A few quick updates before the Mariners open an 8-game, 10-day, 3-team homestand tonight vs. the Oakland Athletics…
- The Mariners had two draft picks, 2nd-rounder Austin Wilson and 13th-rounder Lachlan Fontaine, at the ballpark to sign their professional contracts. Wilson and Fontaine put on a power display during early batting practice, with both players hitting several home runs. Wilson will report to the Everett AquaSox and Fontaine to the Peoria Mariners to begin their pro careers. Good luck to both!
- Mariners top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker has been promoted to AAA Tacoma and is scheduled to make his first Triple-A start Tuesday vs. the Fresno Grizzlies at Cheney Stadium. Walker went 4-7 with a 2.46 ERA (23 ER, 84.0 IP) with 96 strikeouts in 14 starts for AA Jackson in the Southern League. Walker was the Mariners first selection (43rd overall) in the 2010 June Amateur Draft out of Yucaipa (CA) High School. In four minor league seasons he has combined to go 18-23 with a 3.46 ERA in 61 games/57 starts. He entered this season rated by MLB.com as the No. 5 prospect, and No. 2 pitching prospect.
- Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told Larry Stone of the Seattle Times that Danny Hultzen (out since late April with a rotator cuff strain) is scheduled to start and throw 5.0 innings for the Peoria Mariners tomorrow in the Arizona League. If all goes well, he could return to the Tacoma rotation following that. Pretty cool to think the Rainiers starting 5 could be Brandon Maurer, Erasmo Ramirez, Danny Hultzen, James Paxton and Taijuan Walker.
Mariners Minor League Spotlight – Tacoma Rainiers
Mike Zunino is off to a fast start with AAA Tacoma.
In 2012 the Mariners nine minor league affiliated put together one of the best seasons in club history, combing for a 496-406 (.550) record. The organization led all Major League farm systems in wins (496) and winning percentage (.550), while also setting a new record for most win in a single season my any organization. Various publications have rated the Mariners farm systems as one of the best in baseball.
The Mariners looks to continue their winning ways throughout the minor leagues as well as get players ready to make the jump to the Major League level. The Mariners triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers roster boasts four of the top five prospects in the Mariners farm system, as ranked by Baseball America. Catcher Mike Zunino (No. 1), pitchers Danny Hultzen (No. 3) and James Paxton (No. 4), and infielder Nick Franklin (No. 5) all sit atop BA’s list entering the 2013 season.
Catcher Mike Zunino is off to a hot start with Tacoma this season. In 6 games with the Rainiers, Zunino is batting .385 (10×26) with 7 runs, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs and 17 RBI. He currently leads the Minor Leagues with 17 RBI, T1st with 8 extra-base hits, while ranking as one of only 6 players in the Minor Leagues to have hit at least 4 home runs this season. The 2012 first round draft pick ranks 2nd in the PCL in extra-base hits (8) and slugging percentage (1.038), while ranking 3rd with 27 total bases. Zunino became the first Rainiers player since second baseman Dustin Ackley (7/15/10 at Reno) to have his first triple-A hit go for a home run on April 4 at Fresno.
Danny Hultzen is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 2 starts with Tacoma.
LH Danny Hultzen has earned wins in each of his first two starts with the Rainiers, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA (3 ER, 11.0 IP). He has limited opponents to a .167 (7×42) average, while walking 3 and striking out 14. His 14 strikeouts currently lead all Mariners farmhands, while ranking 3rd overall in the Pacific Coast League.
OF Eric Thames is one of 6 players in the PCL to hit safely in each of the first 8 games. He is currently batting .424 (14×33) with 5 runs scored, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base and 4 walks. Thames ranks 11th in the league in average, and he is tied for the team lead with 4 multi-hit games.
The Rainiers open the home portion of their schedule tonight with a four-game series against the Salt Lake City Bees at Cheney Stadium. Tonight’s game starts at 7:05 p.m. PT with LH James Paxton (0-0, 4.50) making his 2nd career triple-A start and first at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma is currently 5-3 and trails Salt Lake by one game PCL Northern Division.
5 Mariners Named Top 100 Prospects by MLB.com
RHP Taijuan Walker checked in at No. 5 in MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospects.
Well, the votes are in, and five Mariners have been named to the MLB.com Top 100 Prospects List. The impressive haul of Mariners includes three players listed in the top 25 and four in the top 50. Here are the Mariners named to the Top 100 list:
- RHP Taijuan Walker (#5)
- LHP Danny Hultzen (#18)
- C Mike Zunino (#23)
- INF Nick Franklin (#47)
- LHP James Paxton (#61)
And for the second consecutive season the Mariners organization received the most “Prospect Points”
Hultzen and Paxton Named Top LHP Prospects by MLB.com
Mariners pitchers Danny Hultzen and James Paxton have both been named among the top 5 left-handed pitching prospects heading into the 2013 season. Hultzen checked in at No. 2 on the list, while Paxton was No. 5 in the annual MLB.com Prospect Position Rankings.
Here is what MLB.com prospect guru Jonathan Mayo had to say about Hultzen and Paxton:
2. Danny Hultzen, Mariners: Hultzen signed an $8.5 million Major League contract after being picked second in the 2011 Draft by Seattle. Thought to be an advanced college pitcher who could move up quickly, he’s done just that, reaching Triple-A in his first season of pro ball. A 2012 Futures Game participant, the lefty out of the University of Virginia dominated in Double-A but then had serious control issues in Triple-A. If he can fix those problems – and he was known as a command guy coming out of college – his three-pitch mix should work nicely in the big leagues.
5. James Paxton, Mariners: Paxton was taken in the fourth round in the 2010 Draft by Seattle, though he didn’t sign until March 2011. He reached Double-A that season and spent all of 2012 at that level. A 2011 Futures Gamer and 2012 Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game participant, there has never been any question about the Canadian’s pure power stuff, especially his fastball and breaking ball. That’s allowed him to strike out more than 10.5 per nine innings in two years in the Minors. Some thought he might eventually end up in the bullpen, but an improved changeup and better command could make him a formidable starter.
Here is a video clip from MLB.com featuring Hultzen:
Hultzen and Paxton join RHP Taijuan Walker, who was listed as the No. 2 right-handed pitching prospect. The full list of positional prospect rankings and their release dates are below:
• Right-handed pitchers
• Left-handed pitchers
• Jan. 23 – Catchers
• Jan. 24 – Shortstops
• Jan. 25 – Third Basemen
• Jan. 26 – Second basemen
• Jan. 27 – First basemen
• Jan. 28 – Outfielders
• Jan. 29 – Top 100 Prospects
Baseball America Unveils Mariners Top Prospects
Catcher Mike Zunino is listed as the Mariners No. 1 prospect by Baseball America.
The Mariners nine minor league affiliates wrapped up the 2012 season putting together one of the best season in club history, combining for a 496-406 (.550) record. The organization led all Major League farm systems in wins and winning percentage, while setting a new record for most wins in a single season. This has led to optimism in the Mariners pipeline, as Seattle has one of the best farm systems in all of baseball. Baseball America unveiled their annual Top 10 Prospects list ranking the top Mariners in the minor leagues.
Baseball America’s Top 10 Mariners Prospects:
1. Mike Zunino, c
2. Taijuan Walker, rhp
3. Danny Hultzen, lhp
4. James Paxton, lhp
5. Nick Franklin, ss/2b
6. Brandon Maurer, rhp
7. Carter Capps, rhp
8. Stefen Romero, 2b
9. Brad Miller, ss
10. Victor Sanchez, rhp
Catcher Mike Zunino, selected by the Mariners with the third overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player draft, quickly established himself as an offensive and defensive force and was ranked by Baseball America as the Mariners No. 1 prospect. In his first professional season, Zunino hit .360 (58×151) with 35 runs scored, 14 doubles, 13 home runs and 43 RBI in 44 combined between Short-A Everett and AA Jackson.
The Mariners had six pitchers ranked in the top 10, including five of the top seven prospects. For the second straight year, right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker (#2) was tabbed as the Mariners top pitching prospect. In only his third professional season, Walker, 20, was one of the youngest pitchers in the Southern League and was also named to the North Division All-Star Team. Left-handed pitchers Danny Hultzen (#3) and James Paxton (#4), joined right-handed pitchers Brandon Maurer (#6), Carter Capps (#7) and Victor Sanchez (#10) to round out the Mariners top pitching prospects. After being in the minor leagues less than a year, Capps made his Major League debut on Aug. 3, 2012 and became only the third player from the 2011 First-Year Players draft to make his ML debut. Hultzen, Maurer and Paxton each ranked amongst the Mariners organization leaders in wins, ERA and strikeouts, while Sanchez at age 17 was the youngest player in the top 10.
While the Mariners are known for their top pitching prospects, it was their offensive numbers that really stood out in 2012. Amongst all full-season minor league clubs, the Mariners affiliates finished in the top 5 in nearly every offensive category, including ranking first in hits, home runs, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Infielders Nick Franklin (#5), Stefen Romero (#8) and Brad Miller (#9) joined Zunino as the Mariners position players in the organizations top 10 rankings. Romero was named the Mariners Minor League Player of the Year after batting .352 (167×474) with 85 runs scored, 64 extra-base hits and 101 RBI in 116 games combined between High-A High Desert and AA Jackson. Franklin was recently named to the Arizona Fall League Top Prospect Team, while Miller ranked second amongst all Minor Leaguers with 186 hits.
Mariners Farm System Continues to Strengthen
Prior to the 2012 season, the Mariners farm system was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 1 organization based on their prospect points system, with five players rated in the top 100. After a record 496 wins by the Mariners 9 minor league affiliates, and 6 playoff berths, the Mariners remained the top team when MLB.com re-ranked the top 100 and each club’s top 20 prospects.
Here is an article by Mariners.com beat writer Greg Johns detailing the impressive group of prospects:
The updated rankings show the Mariners ranking first among all 30 MLB teams based on point values assigned to each of the top 100 prospects, just ahead of the Pirates, D-backs and Cardinals.
Top Prospect Points 1. Seattle 327 2. Pittsburgh 326 3. Arizona 321 4. St. Louis 320 5. Toronto 281
The following Mariners ranked in the top 100 by MLB.com (prospect ranking):
- RHP Taijuan Walker (#5)
- LHP Danny Hultzen (#9)
- INF Nick Franklin (#31)
- C Mike Zunino (#51)
- LHP James Paxton (#82)
And here are the players included in the Mariners top 20 prospects list by MLB.com:
A Big Night in Tacoma – Hultzen vs. Moyer
With Mariners top prospect Danny Hultzen going against former Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer tonight, Cheney Stadium was a hot ticket.
Rainiers PR guy Ben Spradling sent the following factoids:
- The game sold out about 20 minutes before first pitch, the second sold out game of the season for the Rainiers.
- With over 7,400 tickets sold, it’s the largest crowd this season for the Rainiers.
- In addition to the regularly credentialed media at the game, the Rainiers issued 11 additional media credentials.
- An auxiliary press box was set up to house the extra media in attendance.
Moyer, who is 49 years old, is hoping to get back to the Major Leagues after Tommy John surgery. He signed a minor league deal a few days ago with the Toronto Blue Jays. He’ll make a few starts for the Las Vegas 51s before the Blue Jays decide if they will call him up.
By the second inning of tonight’s game, Moyer had surrendered two home runs—a two run shot by newly named PCL All-Star Luis Jimenez and a solo homer by Adam Moore.
Hultzen, the #2 overall pick in last year’s draft, made his second Triple-A start tonight. In 4.0 innings he allowed 3 hits, 1 run, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts (90 pitches/52 for strikes).
Hultzen & Walker Selected to Futures Game Roster
Earlier this morning Mariners minor league pitchers Danny Hultzen and Taijuan Walker were selected to play in the 14th annual SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game to be played Sunday, July 8 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City (2 p.m. PT/ESPN2, MLB Network Radio).
Major League Baseball has held the game during All-Star weekend since 1999, featuring minor league prospects in a USA vs. World showcase. The Mariners have had 28 selections to the Futures Game since its first beginning in 1999. Six players on the current 25-man roster played in the Futures Game in the past: Miguel Olivo (2000), Franklin Gutierrez (2003), Felix Hernandez (2004), Michael Saunders (2007), Jesus Montero (2008-09) and Hector Noesi (2010).
Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America and the 30 Major League Clubs, selected the 25-man rosters for each club, the U.S. Team and the World Team. Each Major League organization is represented and players from all full-season Minor Leagues were eligible to participate.
Hultzen, 22, is 8-3 with a 1.19 ERA (10 ER, 75.1 IP) in 13 starts with Jackson in his first professional season. He was promoted to AAA Tacoma yesterday, and is scheduled to make his Rainiers debut Saturday at Colorado Springs. After allowing 5 runs in 4.0 innings in his first start of the season, Hultzen has allowed only 5 earned runs in his last 71.1 innings (0.63 ERA), lowering his ERA from 11.25 to 1.19 ERA in last 12 starts. He heads to Triple-A with a string of 26.2 consecutive scoreless innings (dating back to 5/23 at Montgomery). Hultzen left Jackson leading the Southern League in ERA (1.19), opponent batting average (.151), WHIP (0.93), while leading all starters with the fewest base-runners per 9.0 innings (8.72). He also ranked T1st in the league in wins (8), 2nd in strikeouts (79), T4th in innings pitched (75.1) and in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (9.44). Hultzen was the starting pitcher for the North Division in the Southern League All-Star game on Tuesday night, tossing a scoreless first inning with a walk and strike out.
Danny Hultzen
Hultzen was the Mariners first round selection (2nd overall) in the 2011 First-Year MLB Player Draft out of the University of Virginia. He made his professional debut in the 2011 Arizona Fall League, going 1-0 with a 1.40 ERA (3 ER, 19.1 IP) in 6 starts. He entered the 2012 season ranked as the No. 16 prospect in baseball by MLB.com and also listed as the No. 3 left-handed pitcher by the website.
Walker, 19, is 4-3 with a 3.79 ERA (24 ER, 57.0 IP) in 12 starts with Double-A Jackson. He has limited opponents to a .249 (53×247) average, while walking 23 and striking out 59 in 57.0 innings. As one of the youngest players in the Southern League, he has allowed 2 or less earned runs in 9 of his 12 starts this season, including holding opponents scoreless in 3 starts.
Walker was selected by the Mariners in the first round (43rd overall) in the 2010 First-Year Player draft. He was named Mariners Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2011, after going 6-5 with a 2.89 ERA (31 ER, 96.2 IP) in 18 starts with Clinton. Walker was also named the top Midwest League prospect in 2011 by Baseball America. In his first 3 seasons in the Minor Leagues, Walker is 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA (56 ER, 160.2 IP) in 32 games, 30 starts.
Taijuan Walker
You can view the complete Futures Game Roster via MLB.com. Fans can stay updated by following @MLBFutures on Twitter and can send/receive tweets to/from the U.S. and World team dugouts during the game by following @USDugout and @WorldDugout.
Here is a list of all the Mariners that have been selected to play in the Futures Game dating back to 1999:
Mariners in the Futures Game
1999:
Chris Mears, RHP (World)
Ryan Anderson, LHP (USA)
2000:
Craig Anderson, LHP (World)
Ryan Anderson, LHP (USA)
2001:
Joel Pineiro, RHP (World)
Jamal Strong, OF (USA)
2002:
Jose Lopez, INF (World)
Shin-Soo Choo, OF (World)
2003:
Clint Nageotte, RHP (USA)
Travis Blackley, LHP (World)
2004:
Jeremy Reed, OF (USA)
Shin-Soo Choo, OF (World)
Felix Hernandez, RHP (World)
2005:
Yuniesky Betancourt, INF (World)
Shin-Soo Choo, OF (World)
2006:
Wladimir Balentien, OF (World)
Yung Chi Chen, INF (World)
2007:
Wladimir Balentien, OF (World)
Michael Saunders, OF (World)
2008:
Phillippe Aumont, RHP (World)
2009:
Tyson Gillies, OF (World)
Alex Liddi, 3B (World)
2010:
Alex Liddi, 3B (World)
Carlos Peguero, OF (World)
2011:
Alex Liddi, OF (World)
James Paxton, LHP (World)
2012:
Danny Hultzen, LHP (USA)
Taijuan Walker, RHP (USA)
Mariners Promote Hultzen & Franklin to AAA Tacoma
Fresh off their appearances in the Southern League All-Star game yesterday, left-handed pitcher Danny Hultzen and infielder Nick Franklin are being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma. The pair will join the Rainiers roster today.
Hultzen, 22, went 8-3 with a 1.19 ERA (10 ER, 75.1 IP) in 13 starts with Jackson in his first professional season. After allowing 5 runs in 4.0 innings in his first start of the season, he has allowed only 5 earned runs in his last 71.1 innings (0.63 ERA), lowering his ERA from 11.25 to 1.19 ERA in last 12 starts. He also held opponents scoreless in 26.2 consecutive innings (dating back to 5/23 at Montgomery). Hultzen currently leads the Southern League in ERA (1.19), opponents batting average (.151), WHIP (0.93), while leading all starters with the fewest base-runners per 9.0 innings (8.72). He also ranks T1st in the league in wins (8), 2nd in strikeouts (79), T4th in innings pitched (75.1) and in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (9.44). Hultzen was the starting pitcher for the North Division in the Southern League All-Star game on Tuesday night, tossing a scoreless first inning with a walk and strike out.
Danny Hultzen
Hultzen, who is scheduled to make his first Triple-A start with Tacoma on Saturday, June 23 at Colorado Springs, was the Mariners first round selection (2nd overall) in the 2011 First-Year MLB Player Draft out of the University of Virginia. He made his professional debut in the 2011 Arizona Fall League, going 1-0 with a 1.40 ERA (3 ER, 19.1 IP) in 6 starts. He entered the 2012 season ranked as the No. 16 prospect by MLB.com and also listed as the No. 3 left-handed pitcher by the website.
Franklin, 21, hit .322 (66×205) with 25 runs scored, 17 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs and 26 RBI in 57 games with Jackson. He was named Southern League Player of the Week, May 28-June 3. He currently ranks 2nd in the Southern League in average (.322) and T3rd with a .394 on-base percentage. Franklin was the starting shortstop in the Southern League All-Star game on Tuesday night, going 0-for-33 with a walk. Franklin was recently named the Topps Southern League Player of the Month for May, an award voted by Southern League Field managers. He also leads the league with a .457 on-base percentage and a .648 slugging percentage, adding up to a 1.105 OPS that currently ranks 2nd in Double-A.
Nick Franklin
Franklin was originally selected by the Mariners in the first round (27th overall) in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. In his first 4 professional seasons, he is batting .292 (332×1136) with 191 runs scored, 56 doubles, 19 triples, 35 home runs and 123 RBI in 291 games. He entered the 2012 season rated by MLB.com as the No. 52 overall overall prospect and the No. 6 shortstop.
From the Corner of Edgar & Dave 