11/18/2008

Mail Call and one other note

Checking Jim Street's Mariner Mailbag at the Mariner website this morning. One question involving an ex-Rattler.
What are the odds that Greg Halman will make the team next year? I foresee a big league season with a .260 batting average, 20 home runs, 75 RBIs and 15 stolen bases for him.
-- Ricky V., Rijswijk, Netherlands

Your crystal ball might be jumping the gun. While Halman seemingly has a bright future, the 21-year-old outfielder who was signed from the Netherlands as a non-drafted free agent in 2004 has never played higher than Class A, so the chances of him jumping to the Major Leagues next season are extremely remote.

I had a chance to talk to him in Peoria, Ariz., where he is playing for the Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League, and he believes the AFL experience has been a big boost to his confidence and his career.
Also, at the Mariner site, I found this move in the organizational flow chart.

Grifol to direct M's Minors operations
Experienced coach promoted to strengthen development

The Mariners announced on Monday that Pedro Grifol, formerly the team's coordinator of Minor League instruction, has been promoted to director of Minor League operations.

Jack Zduriencik, the Mariners' executive vice president and general manager of baseball operations, also announced the hiring of Tim Tolman as the club's coordinator of Minor League instruction.

Grifol replaces Greg Hunter, who will be re-assigned within the organization.

"We are focused on doing everything we can do to improve our player development department," Zduriencik said. "Giving Pedro increased responsibility and adding Tim to our staff should help us in that process."

Grifol, who turns 39 in two weeks, spent the past three seasons as coordinator of Minor League instruction with the Mariners. He was the manager of the Class A Everett AquaSox from 2003-05 and the Seattle scout in charge of South Florida and Puerto Rico from 2000-05.

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