Mariners Day 1 Draft Recap

These guys are the ones who are going to make the biggest difference. Here we go.
No. 2: Dustin Ackley, 1B/OF, UNC
I talked about this guy a couple of days ago, and everything I said still applies. He has a good bat with the potential for a really good bat. His future is probably in the outfield, and the only reason he played at 1b was because of Tommy John surgery, which really isn't that big of a deal for hitters.

His range in the outfield is very good, good enough for center, and he has good speed on the basepaths. He won't ever hit 40 homers a year, but he has good gap power, and extra base hits shouldn't be a problem. He's a safe pick who could see the bigs as soon as next year. I've heard a lot of comparisons to Darin Erstad early in his career, back when he could hit. Ackley was the best decision the Mariners could have made.

No. 27: Nick Franklin, SS, Florida HS
This pick was partly made for signability reasons, since most experts expect Franklin to come reasonably cheap. However, as far as signability picks go, this guys a really good one. He's a switch hitting shortstop who's pretty good at defense and about average at everything else.

Considering our current middle infield options, that's pretty good. He may not ever be a superstar, but Franklin could be a player with a nice career ahead of him.

No. 33: Steven Baron, C, Florida HS
Rumors leaked out a week ago that the Mariners had a deal with this guy at this pick, so this wasn't shocking. This was another signabilty pick, and Baron will come cheap for his draft position. However, he's not a first round talent, more of a third round talent.

He's kind of like a Rob Johnson, a guy who's defense is considered great but who's hitting is questionable at best. Not exactly the value you want at pick like this, but the Mariners do have a budget to work with, so the pick becomes excusable, but not good.
No. 51: Richard Poythress, 1B, Georgia
Richard Poythress may be the best college hitter avaliable after Ackley, and it was lucky that the Mariners had the chance to draft him this late. Poythress has fantastic power, probably the most power of anybody in the draft, but his position is a reason for his sliding to the M's, as first basemen aren't usually taken in the first unless they are truly elite talent, which Poythress is not.

However, this guy can hit the ball a long way, and although he has some concerns about his bat speed, the power should translate to the pros. The only real negatives are that he isn't a great defender, possible a future DH, and that he is a bad fit for Safeco, as righty power hitters are often the most affected by the cavernous left field. Still, he's a good value for the second round pick.

No 82: Kyle Seager, Inf, UNC
The former and possibly future teammate of Dustin Ackley is another all around player. He is okay hitter without much power but who has a good approach at the plate. His defense is good at third or second. His lefty bat is an excellent fit for Safeco. A good value for the third round.
Overall Grade: B+/A-

Of course, when I assume that the M's will take college pitchers, they choose five consecutive position players. Still, though upper minor league pitching remains a need, I like this draft. Ackley is the superstar in the making, instantaneously the best prospect in our system.

However, I also love the Franklin and Poythress picks, and I like the Seager pick from what I have heard so far. It's clear what this club values in a prospect: plate patience and good defense. Each of these prospect fits at least one of those two qualities. I'm not crazy about the Baron pick, but other than that, I love this draft.