Smoak Up. Oh Well.

Mike Carp hit the DL, courtesy of the remarkable stretch he made below:

The Mariners called up Justin Smoak to take his place. Smoak is a known commodity and got sent down because he wasn't hitting all that well. I saw him in Tacoma a few times, and he did not look much better to me. He did not hit a home run in 82 AAA plate appearances. The biggest difference was Smoak's walk rate, which spiked considerably. Hopefully he packs his patience with him as he returns to the majors, but franky, there aren't many reasons to expect his return to look all that different than what got him sent down in the first place.

I am irritated that Smoak got called back up. Not incredibly irritated, but irritated, much in the same way that a hangnail isn't really that big of a deal, but it's still a hangnail, and enough of a bother to notice and complain about. First base is now the Mariners version of a hangnail.

Progress Report: Hitters

Here's part two in my series of grading player performances based on their performances so far. If you want to read part one on the pitching staff, go here. I will note that these grades are mostly based on the players' hitting performance, rather than defense, or fashion sense.The rest of the grades are arbitrarily determined and whatever I felt like giving them. Enjoy!

Futures Game 2011

The MLB Futures Game kicked off All Star festivities, and let's be honest, it's nice to have something besides the Angels series to think about, right? Here are some musings on the prospects that appeared in the game. Obviously, these are authoritative reports on these prospects. A handful of pitches or swings on a computer screen is all that's needed to figure out what these players will do:

Mariners Farm At A Glance

I feel like my annual list of MLB draft prospects needs some kind of build up, if for no other reason because it is so long. It would feel like a shock to the system without fair warning, and a little stretching.

So, why not ease into this year's draft coma with a look at the Mariners farm system as it sits right now?

All in all, I do not think it has been as exciting of a year so far in the minors for the M's, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Many new players emerged last year, and some of them are following up break-out performances with worthy encores. That's good, because it makes it less likely that some of last year's youngsters are flashes in the pan.

Still, as in any year, there are surprises, both good and bad - as well as unsurprising performances, also good and bad. Below is my overview of the M's minor league affiliates, divided into hopefully useful groups:

Winter Updates

There are lots of Mariners playing baseball right now. Some just wrapped up their season in Arizona, while others are playing in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Australia. For a complete list of M's spanning the globe right now, click here. I could give a few thoughts on each player, but the list is quite long. Instead, I will pick out players from the crowd to highlight.

Futures Game Players to Watch

All star festivities start before the all star break, with the futures game (this Sunday, 11 AM PDT). Baseball America selects some of baseball's finest prospects in their expert estimation from around the minors, and assembles them on one field in a United States versus the World format. Only two prospects can be picked from each farm system, so it is a virtual lock that every organization will be represented. Really, everyone is worth watching in this game. However, here are a few players I will be watching in particular:

WORLD ROSTER

Neftali Feliz, RHP, AAA, Rangers - Feliz is only 21 years old, and doing a fine job in AAA. Perhaps most impressive, he has allowed only 1 home run in 69.1 innings pitched. Neftali has flown through the Rangers system, and he may be in Texas impacting the AL West pennant race by the end of the year. He is a legitimate in-house option for them, and looking more long-term he could anchor their pitching staff for years to come.

Junichi Tazawa, RHP, AA, Red Sox - There was a bidding war over this Japanese pitcher in the offseason, with some scouts and clubs thinking Tazawa was ready for the majors. Boston signed him for fairly big money, especially for a guy that they sent to AA. Junichi is having a solid year though, and at 23 is a solid looking prospect. It will be even more interesting to see if Tazawa blazes the trail for many Japanese players to not sign with Japanese teams and head to America, or if he remains an exception.

Carlos Santana, C, AA, Indians - It's doubtful that the Indians will trade Victor Martinez, but the main reason they can somewhat seriously consider it is because of Santana (though, honestly, Victor's current backup, Kelly Shoppach, isn't all that bad). If Santana has a great futures game, don't be surprised if the national media starts reporting more Victor Martinez trade rumors. Personally, I think Santana is clearly at least a year away from the majors, and on top of that I think he is a bit overrated at this point.

Jesus Montero, C, AA, Yankees - Meet the heir apparent to Jorge Posada. At 6'4", Jesus is a tall catcher, and I do not know how good his defensive skills are. However, he can definitely swing the bat. Montero is only 20 years old, and already holding his own in AA. In particular, his power numbers are impressive. If the Yankees can squeeze one or two more decent years out of Jorge, it doesn't look like they will have to worry about catcher for another decade.

Alcides Escobar, SS, AAA, Brewers - Escobar has been a highly thought of prospect for a few years now, though his path to the majors is still blocked by the rather young JJ Hardy. The reason Hardy rumors continue to persist are because of how good most scouts think Escobar is. I have never had the chance to see him play, but reports are that his defense is fantastic, and he projects as a good hitter too. Escobar hits for good average, but he'll never have the power that JJ Hardy has. He is another prospect that I think is overrated just a bit, though I like his future. Expect JJ Hardy rumors to ramp up if Escobar has a great futures game.

Alex Liddi, 3B, A+, Mariners - This is the third time I've written about Liddi this week, so if you follow me you've probably got a good idea what I'm about to say. He has always had five-tool talent, but put it all together for the first time in High Desert. He is a threat to capture the California League triple crown right now, and I hope he gets significant playing time in the Futures game. I want to see how he handles himself against pitchers in more advanced leagues, even if it is for only an at-bat or two.

Dayan Viciedo, 3B, AA, White Sox - Viciedo, like Tazawa, was a highly touted international free agent. This time, the White Sox won the bidding war, and many believed Viciedo may go straight to the majors. Chicago started him out in AA though, and it is a good thing they did. The Cuban is overly aggressive, like Cubans tend to be, and as a result he has struggled. Then again, he is only 20 years old playing in AA ball, so it was probably unfair to expect him to dominate. Suffice it to say his production did not get him in the futures game; his raw talent and potential did.

Tyson Gillies, OF, A+, Mariners - Representing the M's along with Liddi is Tyson Gillies, a 20-year-old Canadian with significant hearing loss. He profiles as a leadoff hitter with good defense in center field, and he has enjoyed a fine season so far in the leadoff spot for the potent High Desert lineup. Again, if you follow me, this is the third time you've read something about Tyson this week. He's still the same player he was at the start of the week, and I am looking forward to seeing him play.

UNITED STATES ROSTER

Brad Lincoln, RHP, AAA, Pirates - The 2006 watchlist member is recovering from major arm surgery quite nicely, and will likely be in the majors by year's end. Pittsburgh has a few nice starters, but nobody with the power stuff that Lincoln has.

Brian Matusz, AA, Orioles - Baltimore's first-round pick just a year ago is flying through the minors, and may even reach the majors by the end of the year. He was considered one of the most polished pitchers in the 2008 draft, making him a candidate to rise through the minors quickly. Still, Matusz has certainly been more overpowering than I expected him to be thus far, and I think the Orioles may have a better pitcher on their hands than maybe even they thought they were getting.

Chris Tillman, AAA, Orioles - Yes, this is the same former Mariners farmhand included in the Erik Bedard deal. He is now one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball, and if you think the Bedard trade looks bad now, wait until Tillman makes the majors. He and Matusz should anchor the top of Baltimore's rotation for years to come. They even complement each other nicely, with Tillman being a righty and Matusz a lefty.

Tyler Flowers, C, AA, White Sox - Flowers can flat-out rake. His bat would is easily good enough to get him to the majors at any position, but at catcher it makes him especially valuable. He is a little bit older at 23 years of age, but he should be ready to crush major league pitching right as A.J. Pierzynski runs out of gas.

Pedro Alvarez, 3B, AA, Pirates - The 2008 watch list member has prodigious power. In fact, I'd like to see him in home run derby on Monday, because he would more than hold his own. Pedro's plate discipline is lacking though, and I am worried that he may never develop it because it looks like Pittsburgh is already pushing him quickly through the minor league system. I expect him to look a bit like Wily Mo Pena at the plate in the futures game.

Brett Wallace, 3B, AAA, Cardinals - If there is one prospect to watch in this entire game, it has to be Brett Wallace. Granted, I am partial to him, considering he was on my 2008 watchlist. However, he should get the warmest ovation since the game will be in St. Louis. More importantly, the Cardinals need some bats to protect Albert Pujols, and Wallace is the best internal option they have. You can bet that Cardinals fans know that, and that they will be watching Brett intently. Wallace is the mostly likely player in this game to impact the 2009 playoff picture.

Jemile Weeks, 2B, A+, Athletics - Another 2008 watchlist member, Weeks started the year hurt, but is off to an extremely fast start as a professional now that he is healthy. He has been awful against left-handers (in a very small sample size though), but he has more than made up for it against righties. Also, Jemile's defense receives high marks. His set of skills at second base definitely make him a candidate to fly through the minors.

Every player in the game deserves a write-up, but here is more than a handful of gems that I am particularly looking forward to seeing. The futures game is a great kick-off to the all-star festivities, and the first opportunity to see many of baseball's future all-stars.

2009 High Desert Mavericks at a Glance

After looking at Clinton yesterday, it is time to move up a level in the system to High Desert. The High Desert Mavericks play in the California League, which is known for its offense. In fact, the Mavericks played a game a little over a week ago against the Lake Elsinore Storm that they lost 33-18! The loss was exceptional though; High Desert won the league's first half title. It has been a very good year for the Mavericks so far, and here are the prospects leading the charge:

Joe Dunigan, 1B/OF - Last year, Joe showed good power potential in the Midwest League, along with stealing 28 bases in 32 tries. However, he hardly made consistent contact, and at 22 years old in that league it was a discouraging sign. What a difference a year, and a more hitter-friendly atmosphere, makes. Dunigan already has more home runs and walks than all of last year, despite jumping up a level. He has cut down his strikeouts too. Some of the progress is likely due to the smaller ballparks, but not all of it with the quantam leap forward Dunigan has made. His power/speed combination remains what makes him intriguing.

Tyson Gillies, CF - The 20-year-old Canadian has burst on the scene this year after a good 2008 season in Everett. Speed is his most impressive tool, as he may steal 40 bases this year. He combines that with good plate discipline, which is even more impressive considering how young he is, and a little extra base power. Gillies has all the makings of a prototypical leadoff hitter, and perhaps is the heir apparent to Ichiro at the top of the M's order if he continues to develop.

Donald Hume, LHP - Honestly, Hume's numbers are about as pedestrian as they get. Nothing is all that spectacular about them. However, in the offensively-charged California League, normal numbers for a pitcher indicate a job nicely done. Hume is already 23, and without any qualities standing out he is a fringe prospect. He has been on a roll since June though.

Alex Liddi, 3B - Liddi struggled mightily last year, posting just a .673 OPS in the Midwest League. However, the 20-year-old Italian has exploded this year with an OPS that has stayed above 1.000 the entire season. He is a five-tool talent, though still a raw one. Liddi strikes out fairly often, and does not draw a ton of walks. Still, he is threatening to win the California League triple crown, and his immense progress this year is undeniable.

Jamie McOwen, OF - A 23-year-old repeating the California League after a modest 2008 did not figure to make this post. However, a 43-game hitting streak that is still going changes that. It is already the longest in California League history by 8 games, and is only the 20th hitting streak of 40 games or longer in professional baseball history (that includes the major leagues). Regardless of age or level, McOwen's hitting streak is impressive. Jamie will have to continue to make a ton of contact to be a decent prospect, because he has limited power, and nothing else aside from all the hits really jumps out. Nothing from his professional career indicated such an incredible streak coming from McOwen, but while hitting streaks are parts fluke and luck, 43 games certainly takes talent.

Carlos Peguero, RF - Peguero is extremely aggressive at the plate, but thus far in his professional career finds a way to hit a bunch of what he swings at pretty hard. This season he already has 14 doubles, 12 triples, and 18 home runs, which in total means over half his hits are going for extra bases. The trouble is that Peguero strikes out about once out of every three at bats. It is feast or famine with him at the plate, and at some point his batting average is likely to plummet. The good news is that Peguero already has twice as many walks this year than he did in all of 2008...then again, it is not hard to do that when you walk 10 times total in a season. Still, the ability to post a .900 OPS with few walks speaks to the 22-year-old's raw talent.

Travis Scott, C - Already 24 and repeating in the California League, Scott is already a fringe prospect. However, his OPS has gone from .791 last year to around 1.000, indicating significant improvement at the plate. With the first half Scott put up, I would be tempted to promote him to AA and see what happens.

Jacob Wild, RHP - Already 24, Wild is old for the level, and is not the best prospect on the Mavericks pitching staff (Juan Ramirez probably is, though Michael Pineda will give him a run for his money when he is healthy). However, Jacob has been the most productive pitcher on the Mavericks, even while bouncing between the bullpen and starting rotation. He gives up a ton of hits, but everyone on the staff has. It is the California League, after all. What sticks out for Wild is a low home run rate. Keeping the ball in California League ballparks is a challenge, and is a reason to believe Wild may develop into a useful major league arm.

Even in a league that inflates offensive numbers, the Mavericks best talent is clearly on offense. Juan Ramirez and Michael Pineda, two of the M's most promising young pitchers, are both in High Desert. I could have included them in the post, but I want to focus on the most productive prospects. Pineda has been injured most of the year, and Ramirez has been a little shaky. Plus, it is not hard to find information on Juan Ramirez, but guys like Donald Hume and Jacob Wild do not get as much publicity. Tomorrow we will move up to AA and check on the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, where the major leagues all of a sudden do not seem so far away.