Mariner Farm System Analysis

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times has been working on a series of season ending articles about the Mariners. He turns his focus to the minor leagues today; Ramping up the farm system

One list sure wasn't used as a reference guide last week when the Mariners' top two executives heaped public praise on their farm system.

That would be Baseball America's organizational rankings for 2006, which had Seattle 27th among the 30 major-league teams when the season began.

It's no surprise that Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln and chief operations officer Chuck Armstrong are using very different criteria in determining what constitutes player-development success.
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But there apparently is a new reality on Edgar Martinez Drive, whether the fans agree with it or not.

It involves drafting and developing players who conform to the dimensions and quirks of Safeco Field.

Left-handed pull-hitters, or right-handed power types who can hit to all fields and the gaps, are coveted.

The strategy also involves fast-tracking deserving prospects through the system and not being afraid to see them fail.
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Since Bavasi took over, Seattle has installed Felix Hernandez in its rotation, Yuniesky Betancourt at shortstop, Jose Lopez at second and J.J. Putz as closer.

Mark Lowe, a fifth-round pick from 2004, rocketed from Class A into a major-league bullpen role this season.

"He's been a farm director and he understands challenges," Frank Mattox, the team's player development director, said of Bavasi. "He understands how to challenge the young pitchers. His philosophy is to challenge our players and keep them moving through the system."

That rapid player movement is one reason Seattle lost its affiliation with its Class AA team in San Antonio. The Missions were tired of seeing their record impacted by the departure of players being promoted more quickly.

"It's about rebuilding a core foundation of minor-league talent and player-development systems and scouting systems," Bavasi said. "We're getting deeper in talent."

Bavasi sees that in Lowe, starting pitchers Cha Seung Baek and Jake Woods and outfielder Adam Jones. He sees it in a "second wave" of arms like Jon Huber, Eric O'Flaherty, Ryan Feierabend, Francisco Cruceta and Travis Chick.

Most aren't ready for prime time. But Bavasi hopes a steady stream progresses toward Seattle, enabling him to plug holes internally.

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