The Mariners Tuesday invited 19 players to attend spring training in Peoria, AZ, including 2013 Minor League Player of the Year Chris Taylor and 2013 Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year Carson Smith. Of the 19, 16 were members of the Mariners organization last season and 14 are homegrown products, having been drafted or signed by Seattle.
Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 12 (physicals) and hold their first workout Feb. 13.
The Mariners spring training roster stands at 59 players (40 roster, 19 non-roster), including 29 pitchers (11 non-roster), five catchers (3 non-roster), 14 infielders (four non-roster) and 11 outfielders (one non-roster). The 19 invitees:
PITCHERS (11): RHP Jonathan Arias, RHP Andrew Carraway, LHP Roenis Elias, LHP James Gillheeney, LHP Nick Hill, RHP Stephen Kohlscheen, RHP Dominic Leone, RHP Matt Palmer, RHP Ramon Ramirez, RHP Chance Ruffin, RHP Carson Smith.
CATCHERS (3): R-R Mike Dowd, R-R John Hicks, R-R Humberto Quintero.
IINFIELDERS (4): S-R Ty Kelly, R-R, Gabriel Noriega, R-R Chris Taylor, L-R Nate Tenbrink.
OUTFIELDERS (1): R-R Cole Gillespie.
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Of the 19 on this list, I’d give Gillespie the best shot because he can play all three OF positions, hits with some power and can steal a base. I don’t think he’ll give the defense Chavez did last year, but he won’t cost as much and the M’s are not about to pay big bucks to their fifth outfielder. Ruffin COULD stick, but he’s 25 and the clock is ticking. Loudly.
I know they like Hicks at C, but he needs at least one more year of MiLB and they just signed John Buck, who can be a decent C and a good RH bat with power off the bench. Zunino SHOULD start but if that doesn’t work out for whatever reason, Buck is no worse fallback option than Shoppach, Blanco or Quintero were.