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Seattle Mariners 2018 minor league awards

By Benjamin Chase

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: Matt Festa #67 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 19, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: Matt Festa #67 of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 19, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Seattle Mariners
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 29: Dan Voggelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners makes contact with a pitch during an at-bat in a game against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field on September 29, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 4-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Seattle Mariners Minor League Hitter of the Year: Dan Vogelbach

Level(s): AAA Tacoma, MLB Seattle Mariners
Stats: Minors: .290/.434/.545, 16 2B, 20 HR, 77/59 BB/K; Majors: .207/.324/.368, 2 2B, 4 HR, 13/26 BB/K

Vogelbach has been knocking on the door of the major leagues for multiple seasons now, since being acquired by the Seattle Mariners from the Chicago Cubs. He has a very good eye, sporting a career minor league OBP of .395, but his power is what will write his major league ticket if it comes.

Before being called up this season, Vogelbach was incredible for Tacoma in 84 games, pounding out 20 home runs in what is a half-season of major league time. His ability to keep his strikeouts under control is admirable and something that could give him a shot at a DH spot in 2019 in the majors.

Runners-up

The Seattle Mariners 1st round selection in 2017, Evan White is a rare first baseman that could move to center field if he left the position. He struggled out of the gate in 2018, but once he got going, his bat was excellent, combining for a .300/.371/.453 line with 29 doubles, 7 triples, and 11 home runs. He’ll get a shot at the upper minors in 2019.

Moving to first base in 2018 full-time, Joey Curletta let his power play in AA as he hit .282/.383/.482, and he led the Mariners farm system with 23 home runs and 94 RBI. He should get a shot at the PCL in 2019, and his right-handed power should play well in that league as well.

One of the elite prospects in the 2017-2018 international signing class, Julio Rodriguez was a major signing by the Seattle Mariners. He began his pro career in the Dominican Summer League, and he tore the league up, hitting .315/.404/.525 with 13 doubles, 9 triples, 5 home runs, and 10 stolen bases (without being caught). He’ll come stateside in 2019, and he’ll be a fun one to track, very possibly already the #1 prospect in the system.

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