As our alert and helpful readers have been pointing out in the comments, the draft signings are coming in fast and furious. Top pick D.J. Peterson appears set to sign today (Wednesday), and (bigger) little bro' Justin Seager was among the Tuesday signings.
As it stands, it looks like everyone that they had a strong interest in is likely to sign. Second-round pick Austin Wilson is reportedly in the midst of finishing school, but appears likely to sign after that.
A couple of the high schoolers whom we weren't sure about -- most prominently "The Tank" Tyler O'Neill, "the not-at-1b" slugger Corey Simpson, and RHP Zack Littel -- all have signed or indicated that signing is imminent.
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Meanwhile, in case you somehow missed it, Mike Zunino (Talk40 #1) was called up to the Big Club. Brandon Bantz, whose appearance on the 40-man roster was flukish in the first place, was designated for assignment to make room.
Worst case, Zunino will offer Sucre-level defense and occasional power. So ... even if he's bad he'll be a better version of Miguel Olivo. At least that's the thinking. Of course, it's possible that he'll end up in soul-crushing despair (which may be turning into the "default" setting for top Mariner prospects), but it seems that if that starts to happen (reading between the lines) they'll pull the plug when Sucre is healthy.
But the upside is Jay Buhner in catching gear, and that's a good thing.
AAA -- Las Vegas 8, Tacoma 6 -- Box
Tough way to lose! The Rainiers rallied for three runs in the top of the 9th to take a 6-4 lead, only to cough up four in the bottom of the inning for the walk-off loss.
Logan Bawcom (Talk40 #31), whose stats have been creeping in the wrong direction, blew the save.
Dustin Ackley had two hits in the first three innings, but it was Brad Miller (Talk40 #6) who delivered the key hit in the 9th. Miller also had a pair of walks.
AA -- Chattanooga 6, Jackson 1 -- Box
Anthony Fernandez (Talk40 #23) is still struggling: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K.
The Generals' only run came from The Morbanwagon! (Julio Morban (Talk40 #15) had his fourth longball, plus a double). He's now at .316/.361/.490. Wish he'd strike out less and walk more, but for a 21-year-old at AA, and a lefty with power, we won't complain too much. Besides, we were on The Morbanwagon early and often, and we're staying put.
High-A -- Lancaster 3, High Desert 1 -- Box
The Mavericks didn't get much offense going, but our new icon Chris Taylor (Talk40 #28) had two more hits and swiped his 20th bag. He leads the organization in both categories (84 hits; second is Brad Miller with 69).
Low-A -- Clinton 6, Peoria 4 -- Box
Tyler Pike (Talk40 #14) got dinged by a two-run homer, but otherwise his line wasn't too bad: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. Grady Wood (26intheMix) contributed 3.0 IP of scoreless relief as well.
The only LumberKing with multiple hits was gradually improving Ketel Marte (26intheMix), who's almost pushed his SLG over .300 (it's at .296), but the rest of the scoring was helped by timely doubles.
Looking Ahead
James Paxton (Talk40 #3) will try again to get his season on track, and he's slated to face one-time Tacoma teammate D.J. Mitchell. Should they have kept him instead of Bonderman and the like? Well, in eight starts for the Mets organization his ERA is 7.36 and he's walking 5.7 per 9. So not really.
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