State of the Farm: All-Star & DSL Update

It’s been a relatively boring week on the farm with the usual suspects continuing to be post strong performances and the typically disappointing prospects continuing to do just that. Between that and some relative inactivity due to a couple of minor league all-star games taking place, we’re putting a twist on this week’s edition of State of the Farm, exploring a couple of interesting prospects down in the Dominican Summer League as well as updating you on how the Mariners minor league all-stars performance in their respective midsummer showcases.

Click here for a sortable list of stat lines on all the system’s top 30 prospects, per MLB.com’s Prospect Pipeline.

California League All-Star Game

• Breakout starter RHP Ljay Newsome received the start for the Cal North All-Stars, pitching one inning and allowing one hit while recording two strikeouts.
• Switch-hitting C Cal Raleigh started behind the plate and batted third for the Cal North All-Stars, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
• 3B Joe Rizzo started at the hot corner, batting fifth. He went 0-for-2, striking out in both plate appearances.
• INF Connor Kopach came off the bench and went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.
• Relievers RHP Kyle Wilcox (1.0, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 R, 1 SO) and RHP Joey Gerber (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 2 SO) each worked a scoreless inning.
• Neither RHP Sam Delaplane (promoted to Double-A) and OF Luis Liberato (injured) were able to appear in the game, but were selected to the roster.

South Atlantic League All-Star Game

• C Jake Anchia was the lone Mariners minor leaguer to start the game for the SAL North All-Stars, receiving the starting nod behind the plate. He went 0-for-1. He also participated in the home run derby, which was won by former Spokane Indian Curtis Terry.
• Reliever RHP Bryan Pall tossed a clean inning and recorded a strikeout. Pall is in his first professional season after being drafted out of Michigan in the 25th round back in 2017.
• Standout flamethrowing reliever RHP Dayeison Arias closed the door, recording the final out of the game and preserving the victory for the SAL North All-Stars.
• Breakout starter RHP Clay Chandler did not appear in the game after pitching 5.0 innings on Saturday.

(Dominican Summer League) DSL Mariners

Team Record: 6-10 (4th in Dominican Summer League Northeast)

Marte Living Up to the Hype

The highest-ranked (#10) shortstop prospect in the system, SS Noelvi Marte, has opened up his professional career in satisfying fashion. Through his first 14 games as a pro, he’s slashing .288/.350/.538 and is tied for the team lead with a pair of home runs. The 17-year-old is also a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts. He’s already made eight errors on the season, which may strengthen the club’s temptation to try out his elite foot speed in center field.

Mercedes Cruising in Sophomore Season

A 6’0” 175lb 20-year-old in his second season in the DSL, LHP Anderson Mercedes is tied for the team lead in strikeouts with 17 through just 11.2 innings. He’s issued just one free pass on the season, fueling a 0.86 WHIP and .196 BAA.

Bueno’s Been Good

While Marte has been his expectedly impressive self, it’s another 17-year-old shortstop that’s leading the team in OPS. SS Asdrubal Bueno has slashed .290/.371/.548 with four walks and just seven strikeouts through 10 games. This is the Venezuelan’s first season of professional ball.

Tatiz Proving Dependable

Perhaps the most consistent starting pitcher for the Dominican M’s have been RHP Yeury Tatiz, who has twice reached 5.0 inning and once worked 4.0 innings in his three starts this season. He’s racked up 17 punchouts through 14.0 combined innings and has posted a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. This is the 18-year-old’s first season in the DSL.