Adam Jones (photo courtesy of Dave Sanford)
SEATTLE MARINERS TOP 20 PROSPECTS
- Jeff Clement, C, Grade A-
- Adam Jones, OF-SS, Grade B+
- Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, B
- Clint Nageotte, RHP, C+
- Chris Snelling, OF, C+ (grade change from book)
- Matt Tuiasosopo, SS, C+
- Shin-Soo Choo, OF, C+
- Yorman Bazardo, RHP, C+
- Bobby Livingston, LHP, C+ (grade change from book)
- Wladimir Balentien, OF, C+
- Ryan Feierabend, LHP, C+
- Luis Valbuena, 2B, C+
- Michael Saunders, OF, C+
- Michael Wilson, OF, C+
- Sebastian Boucher, OF, C+
- Osvaldo Navarro, SS, C+
- Edgar Guaramato, RHP, C+
- Cesar Jimenez, LHP, C
- Anthony Vavaro, RHP, C
- Craig James, RHP, C
Chris Snelling is a very good hitter, but he's also good at getting hurt. I gave him a Grade C in the book, but will increase that to C+. He's a Grade B guy on his own merits, but because of his health record I think we have to be careful.
Clint Nageotte has that killer slider, but control problems remain an issue.
The guys after him all have a mixture of strengths and weaknesses. Livingston has outstanding command but his stuff is only marginal. Bazardo has a good arm but his component ratios have never been impressive. Balentien has plus power but will face a difficult transition against Double-A pitching.
One guy I didn't put in the book that I should have is Emiliano Fruto. He throws quite hard but his track record is erratic; he could slot into the bullpen sometime this year. I'd see him as a Grade C+ type.
As for Kenji Johjima, your guess is as good as mine. He turns 30 this year and I don't really count him as a "prospect" given his experience in Japan.