The All-Star break has the potential to be an exciting few days for the Seattle Mariners.
Cal Raleigh seems like a surefire candidate for the Home Run Derby, which he has expressed interest in participating in. And a new wave of players will be entering the organization via the MLB Draft, where the M’s will pick No. 3 overall thanks to some luck in December’s draft lottery.
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With a pick as high as the Mariners have in the draft, they have the chance to add an impact player who could reach the big league level much sooner than a typical draftee. In a conversation that will air on Seattle Sports’ Extra Innings on Thursday night (7-9 p.m.), MLB.com prospect analyst Jonathan Mayo discussed potential M’s draft selections at No. 3 with host Curtis Rogers.
Two college prospects to watch
Some of college baseball’s top players are on display right now in the College World Series. Two in particular to watch for the Mariners are LSU left-hander Kade Anderson and Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette.
“Those are the top-two ranked players on our draft top 200 who are playing in Omaha, and both of them very well could be there for the Mariners to choose from come July,” Mayo said.
Anderson, 20, is the No. 3 draft prospect in MLB Pipeline’s rankings, and Mayo had him going No. 1 overall in his most recent mock draft. The southpaw has risen up draft boards during a strong sophomore season. He’s second in the NCAA with 163 strikeouts, and is 10-1 with a 3.76 ERA over 103 innings.
According to his Pipeline prospect profile, Anderson has a plus fastball that touches 97 mph and plays above the 92-94 mph it typically sits at. His changeup is his highest-rated secondary pitch with a 60 grade, and he also features a slider and curveball.
“It’s a combination of delivery and stuff and feel for pitching,” Mayo said. “The stuff has ticked up. I think there’s more confidence in his ability to start than just about any other college arm in the class. I mean, Jamie Arnold from Florida State is right up there too. He’s probably also in the Mariners’ mix.”
Arquette, a junior from Hawaii who spent his first two college seasons with the UW Huskies, is the No. 6 prospect in Pipeline’s rankings and the player Mayo had the Mariners taking in his latest mock draft. Arquette is hitting .354 with 1.124 OPS, 18 home runs and 65 RBIs in 62 games this season.
MLB Pipeline lists Arquette’s 60-grade arm strength and 55-grade power as his top tools. There is some question as to whether he sticks at shortstop or moves to another position like third base due to his 6-foot-5 frame.
“I live in Pittsburgh, so I saw Oneil Cruz (who is 6 foot 7) play shortstop. So never say never,” Mayo said. “I think there’s a chance. I don’t think it’s a slam dunk. His defense has gotten better, but I don’t know that it’s a guarantee.
“I think you send him out as a shortstop, and what you hope for is that there’s somebody better at the big league level or wherever he is to move him off (to another position). If you’re choosing between him and Cole Young, I’d probably have Cole Young play shortstop.”
No clear No. 1
The general consensus is that this year’s MLB Draft doesn’t have a clear-cut No. 1 prospect. Mayo is on board with that thought.
High school prospect Ethan Holliday is among the candidates to go first overall. The power-hitting third base prospect is the son of seven-time MLB All-Star Matt Holiday and the younger brother Jackson Holliday, the 2022 No. 1 pick and former top-ranked MLB prospect who is now in the big leagues with the Baltimore Orioles.
“If I were to do a final mock right now without any inside information, it would probably be him (at No. 1 overall),” Mayo said of Ethan Holliday. “… Just the combination of power potential, overall offensive upside (and) he’s a good athlete. He probably plays third base. He’s definitely not a shortstop at the next level.”
Mayo said he doesn’t think Holliday would be at the top of the Mariners’ draft board if he was available with the third pick, but he wouldn’t rule it out either.
“We know the Mariners certainly don’t shy away from high school hitters,” Mayo said. “That’s kind of been a sweet spot for them for a few years.”
Catch the full conversation with MLB.com draft insider Jonathan Mayo on Thursday’s edition of Extra Innings from 7-9 p.m., or in the podcast that will be available at this link following the show. Catch a new Extra Innings with Curtis Rogers from 7-9 p.m. every weekday during the baseball season when the Mariners have the day off from play.
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