| Q: | Ben from Leland Grove asks: I see Kalian Sams is your sleeper prospect in the system. Could you expand on him, and do you think he'll be a fast riser? |
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| A: | Matt Eddy: Like Greg Halman, Sams is from the Netherlands — but you probably gathered that if you've glanced at the Prospect Handbook. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Sams has plus strength and bat speed that could translate into immense game power, but he hasn't played much baseball. He runs well, too, and has a strong right-fielder's arm. Matt Eddy: In short, Sams is a potential five-tool athlete with good makeup, but he puts too much pressure on himself now. Look for him to move on to and then up the Mariners' list as he matures. |
Q: Jean-Paul from Snowstorm-Riddled Illinois asks:
With Johjima, Clement and Moore ahead of him, what does the future hold for Rob Johnson? Trade bait, or could be come into his own this year?A: Matt Eddy: Johnson has been moved quickly to Triple-A and his bat hasn't yet caught up. If he learns to loft the ball and lay off unhittable breaking balls, he could be a big league starter. But his leadership and strong arm will always ensure he'll have a backup job to fall back on — even if it's not with Seattle.
Q: AUTOGRAFFIX.com from Stoughton, WI asks:
Greg Halman and Carlos Peguero are both HUGE PHYSICAL SPECIMENS. Which player will have the BIGGEST IMPACT at the Major League Level?A: Matt Eddy: If everything clicks, it's Halman. He's got more dimensions to his game than does Peguero. At 6-foot-4 and 192 pounds, Halman reminds some of a young Andre Dawson or Alfonso Soriano, with the type of power-speed combo to match. He's also an above-average center fielder for now, but might fit better in right after he fills out.
Matt Eddy: Of course, Halman swings and misses a ton, the result of rudimentary plate discipline. He's work to do, as his showing in low Class A Wisconsin (.182-.234-.273 with 77-8 K-BB) demonstrates. And that was at a level he thought he was too advanced for. Halman said he was humbled by his failure in 2007 and that he has a new outlook.
| Q: | Jon from Peoria asks: With the way the Mariners promoted Tillman and Triunfel so quick, how would you compare the organization in terms of aggressively moving prospects up? |
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| A: | Matt Eddy: With the exception of perhaps the Mets, no organization pushes players as aggressively as the Mariners. |
| Q: | Niles Crane from Seattle, WA asks: What are your thoughts on Aaron Brown? Good numbers and solid frame, is this Putz protige? |
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| A: | Matt Eddy: He's one to keep an eye on. Brown, Seattle's ninth-round pick from Houston last June, attacks the strike zone with a low-90s fastball. His command, fearlessness and plane on the ball (he's 6-foot-6) are his most distinguishing features now, as he lacks plus velocity or a true out pitch. He could move quickly as a reliever. |
I always thought of Martin Crane as the baseball fan in that family.
Two more regarding possible future Rattlers:
| Q: | Mike from Seattle asks: How can you come close to justifying Amount over Triunfel? Hittting .288 at HIGH A as a 17 year makes you the 4th best prospect over a super raw pitcher with zero experience? |
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| A: | Matt Eddy: Aumont is a beast with a plus-plus fastball. You can probably find a picture on the Web to illustrate just what a specimen this guy is at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds. With a ball that sinks and bores as much as Aumont's, it will take just average command of a secondary pitch for him to thrive. And age isn't really an issue. At 19, Aumont is just a year older than Triunfel. |
| Q: | Craig from Calgary, Alberta asks: What can you tell me about Mario Martinez who was signed out of Venezuela? Does he project to add some power down the road, and do you think he can develop into a major league regular? |
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| A: | Matt Eddy: A fluid athlete, Martinez has a sound swing he repeats easily. He's an aggressive hitter who can look foolish at times but who crushes mistakes. Signed as a shortstop, Martinez already is too big for shortstop, but that portends well for his power development. |
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