Call it a coincidence, but the best performances in the Seattle Mariners’ farm system seem to be happening in Double-A for the Jackson Generals.
The Mariners are grooming Edwin Diaz to be a dominant relief pitcher… probably. His first six appearances of the season came as a starter and he posted a 3.10 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 29 innings, which by no means are sneeze-worth numbers. Still, the Mariners switched him to a relief role and he hasn’t allowed an earned run since the move.
Tyler O’Neill homered for the ninth time Wednesday to bring his season’s slash line to .311/.373/.557. For a franchise that has missed on drafting power prospects in the recent past, O’Neill’s production is an encouraging sign. He hit 32 home runs last season in the California League but struck out 137 times, but he’s made an improvement early this season, cutting his strikeout rate by almost five percentage points.
Pitcher Andrew Moore made his first start in Double-A Wednesday, giving up three runs in three innings. It may not have been the best debut, but considering he was leading the Class-A Advanced California League with a 1.65 ERA and .188 opponent’s average, he deserved the promotion. Since becoming a professional as a Competitive Balance Round B pick last season, Moore has a 5.00 K/BB and 1.99 ERA.
Ryan Yarbrough, another pitcher, has a 2.49 ERA over nine starts. The Force was with Yarbrough when he tossed his first career shutout and he’s allowed just one earned run over his last three starts.
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