5 questions with Seattle Mariners hitting prospect Jonatan Clase

This week, I had the opportunity to interview Seattle Mariners prospect Jonatan Clase and ask him a few questions.

Clase is from the Dominican Republic. He signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners organization in 2019 at the age of 17. Built like a superstar, Clase is a switch-hitter who plays the outfield with power and a whole lot of speed.

Here is a mind-blowing stat: Clase has 111 hits in his minor league career. He has 60 stolen bases. Yes, that means when Clase gets a hit, it is likely he steals a base. However, he isn’t built like your typical speedsters such as Trea Turner or Billy Hamilton.

As you can see, Clase is huge and, at the young age of 19, he is full of potential. He is ranked 20th on the Mariners’ top prospects list according to MLB.com.

This year, Clase was promoted to the Mariners’ Low-A affiliate, the Modesto Nuts, after being with the organization’s rookie ball team the previous two seasons. With the Modesto Nuts, Clase has batted .279/.395/.427 with three home runs, 18 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 29 games (heading into Tuesday’s action).

Here is our interview with Seattle Mariners prospect Jonatan Clase

Q: You’re transitioning to a switch hitter. Talk to me about the process of transitioning. Is it hard to force your body to train in a way that is the opposite of how you’ve been taught?

A: It was hard in the first few days. It was a bit strange and uncomfortable because I hadn’t hit right-handed since I was 14 years old. But, after a while, I got used to it and now I feel confident as an ambidextrous hitter and I intend to continue improving.

Q: What’s the strongest part of your game?

A: The strongest part of my game is speed and my fielding. It’s what I can control the most on the field.

Q: Does it feel like you are playing a whole new game once you are on base?

A: For sure. I try to do my best on the bases and take advantage of every opportunity that I get to advance myself while on the bases.

Q: You’re young and high on the Mariners prospect list. Given your age, your journey to the majors may take several years. Do you feel like you need to trust the process of the minors and the Mariners’ excellent farm system? Or is it ever frustrating with the length of the process and sometimes lack of recognition?

A: I am young and, like all young people, sometimes we want things to happen as quickly as possible, but I have learned from baseball that it is a process and that you must burn through each stage so that it can give you the best chance when you have to play in the big leagues. The Mariners have good ways of teaching and I feel good being in that organization. I hope to progress through my process and one day, not too far from now, reach the big leagues with them.

Q: What do you want to work on in your journey?

A: I want to learn as much as possible and try to improve every day on the field and off the field, work more on my mentality, my physique, and my skills to be in the best possible shape.

Thank you so much to Jonatan Clase for these fantastic responses. I encourage all fans to support the minor leagues and try to attend games because the talent there is truly remarkable.