Two of the Seattle Mariners most interesting outfield prospects have made dramatic improvements recently in Triple-A, increasing their chances of success when they get their next major league opportunity.
Both Jarred Kelenic and Taylor Trammell are good defensive players with the proverbial “high ceiling” offensive potential if, and this is a big if, they can cut down on their strikeout rates. And it is clear that in recent Triple-A games, both are making a lot more contact.
Jarred Kelenic has struck out just one time in his last eight games for Tacoma, spanning 35 plate appearances. Looking back a bit further, he has only five strikeouts in his last 68 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. This is in stark contrast to when he first joined the team early in the season, after opening the season in the majors, when he struck out 21 times in his first 55 plate appearances for Tacoma.
Taylor Trammell has put up similar numbers. He had a streak of five straight games without a whiff end last night, when he fanned for his first time in 28 plate appearances. In his past 47 trips to the dish, he has just four strikeouts. In 2021 Trammell had 323 plate appearances in Triple-A, striking out 74 times (22.9%).
These are major recent improvements. Can Kelenic and Trammell continue to make more contact in Triple-A? Will it carry over to the big leagues, where the pitching is much better, when they next get promoted? It’s something to keep an eye on.
RAINIERS DAILY
YESTERDAY: The Rainiers took a 2-1 lead in the series by beating Salt Lake on Thursday night, 6-1. Taylor Trammell reached base three times and scored two runs, and Jarred Kelenic‘s three-run homer in the fifth inning broke open the game. Starting pitcher Austin Warner went five innings and allowed one run, throwing just 53 pitches. Kyle Bird, Taylor Williams, Matt Koch, and Riley O’Brien each pitched one scoreless inning of relief to close it out.
TODAY: Tacoma Rainiers (55-65) at Salt Lake Bees (56-64), 5:35 (Pacific).
OPPONENT AFFILIATION: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
OPPOSING MANAGER: Lou Marson
SEASON SERIES: Salt Lake leads, 14-13.
PITCHERS: RHP Konner Wade (4-5, 5.04) at RHP Cesar Valdez (7-6, 3.82)
The change-up artist Valdez ranks second in the PCL with his 3.82 earned run average.
ROSTER MOVES: None yet today as of blog posting time.
HOT HITTERS: Erick Mejia has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games… Jarred Kelenic has reached base safely in ten straight games, getting at least one hit in nine of them… Mason McCoy has a seven-game hitting streak, going 12-for-23 with three homers during the seven games, and he has homered six times over his last 14 games… Taylor Trammell has a six-game hitting streak… Evan White has hit safely in four straight games.
OPPONENT NEWS: Salt Lake has returned home from Reno, where the Bees lost four of six games including the last three in a row… Jake Palomaki has hit safely in nine of his last ten games… Salt Lake has former Rainiers Dillon Thomas, Jonathan Aro, and Brian Moran… Federal Way native Janson Junk is still with the Bees.
BROADCAST: All games will be broadcast free on a live audio stream which is available right here.
Unfortunately, there is no traditional terrestrial radio station carrying the games at this time.
PCL SCOREBOARD: Follow all league games in real-time with links to broadcasts and Gameday screens right here.
Links:
- Numerous reports out there that the Mariners are signing Julio Rodriguez to a long contract extension.
- Julio and Ichiro share a bond, Larry Stone writes.
- Mitch Haniger‘s three-run homer in the first inning was all the M’s needed to beat Cleveland yesterday.
March 16, 2023