Add new comment

Is there reason to be thrilled with the minors?  Sure.  Reason to be optimistic?  Absolutely.
But, in the end, the Ms haven't actually developed a "decent" hitter completely from scratch since about AROD.
For all the optimism and enthusiasm - there was LOTS of optimism about Adam Jones, and Clement, too.
Jose Lopez is the lone holdover from the Bavasi batter development era - .241/.272/.333 (.605) - with a grand total of 7 HRs this year as the #1 returning deep threat.  Just fyi, Yuni Betancourt has 15 HRs this season with KC, and currently has a .267/.289/.432 (.721 line). 
Saunders shows lots of good signs - but a .221/.295/.392 (.686) line is only something to smile about when your team OPS+ is 77.
Seattle still hasn't actually PRODUCED a Jason Heyward (.877 OPS) or McCann (.871 OPS) or Martin Prado (.848 OPS).  Given the historical track record of the past decade, the odds of ANY of the hitting prospects becoming a perennial All-Star is between slim and none.
The landscape is certainly looking fertile - and the crop is planted.  But, Seattle has been watering with Brondo for a decade.  So, I think it's a bit early to start tossing the salad.