Minor League Updates

[AT Funchal-Madeira]

Sheffield is showing some signs of improvement....
https://www.milb.com/arkansas/news/shef ... -309451976

[D-train]

It has been an amazing transformation for Sheff especially in terms of BB/9. He was at 6.7 in Tacoma but 2.2 in Ark. That is well below his career average of 3.6.

[Juliooooo]

I know everyone was down on him and high on Dunn (rightfully) early in the year, but Sheffield going down to Arkansas shows that he's still probably the better prospect. Hopefully between Gilbert, Kirby, Williamson and Campbell we can get a 1 and a 2 starter. I think Sheffield and Dunn are 3 and 4 starters respectively.

[bpj]

It has been an amazing transformation for Sheff especially in terms of BB/9. He was at 6.7 in Tacoma but 2.2 in Ark. That is well below his career average of 3.6.

Maybe he felt like he was having to nibble because every fly ball was going out of the park in AAA.

Doesn't sound like a ball you want to throw anywhere near the middle of the plate.

[D-train]

Man, Everett has 5 guys in the lineup hitting under .217 and none hitting over .264.

[D-train]

Not only are we well back of the 3-5 spots we could actually fall to 7-9 now.

http://www.tankathon.com/mlb

[Juliooooo]

Man, Everett has 5 guys in the lineup hitting under .217 and none hitting over .264.

Well, Mariners only really drafted 1 hitter, and he was promoted pretty early. They have some fun pitchers there at least. I don't think they have 1 position player that would crack the top 100 of M's prospects, maybe Izturis Jr. Bins may as well, but it certainly isn't for his bat.

[Juliooooo]

Ian McKinney, who has had a resurgent year in the M's organization, with a great night. 9.0 ip so far, 11K. 2 H (1 a HR), 0 BB 1 ER. He was a 5th round pick for STL in 2013, presumeably out of HS. Struggled in AA, and elected FA. Now with the M's. Probably stays in Modesto, but should make the jump to Arkansas next year. 3.04 ERA, has about 10k/9 rate. One of the many pitchers in the system having a surprisingly good year, and in a hitter friendly league at that. 23, so not like he's really old for the league either.

I don't know if he's much of a prospect (he has been a top 25 prospect for the Cardinals in the past), or if the others are either (like Sweet, Crismatt, McGaughan, etc...), but it is encouraging to see so many pitchers succeed in the minors for the Mariners. I think it speaks well to the development staff and coaching in the minor league system.

[Donn Beach]

so the Mariners ability to develop pitchers is trumping the Cardinals?....cool

[Dr Naysay]

Marte is barely keeping his head above water in the DSL and committed his 19th error of the season yesterday which seems to be pretty high even in an error laden league like the DSL.