Mariners Convene Hitting Summit

SEATTLE—They called it a “hitting summit.” The new Mariners regime—led by general manager Jerry Dipoto, manager Scott Servais, director of player development Andy McKay, hitting coach Edgar Martinez, minor league hitting coordinator Alvin Davis and several other hitting coaches throughout the organization—convened at the Mariners spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz. in early January.

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In an effort to build an organization-wide hitting approach focused on controlling the strike zone, the summit was designed to hone the message and provide a background for teaching for coaches at every minor league level.

“It’s everything,” McKay said. “That’s where communication comes into play. You have a major league staff that is using the same terminology that your minor league staff is using, that your scouting group is using. Common language is the most obvious result of a strong culture.”

To add to it, the Mariners invited 15 prospects from all levels of their organization to come to the summit and begin working with that philosophy as well as provide feedback to the staff. Top prospect Alex Jackson highlighted the group along with infielder Chris Taylor and catcher Mike Zunino, first baseman D.J. Peterson, outfielder Boog Powell, shortstop Drew Jackson and powerful outfielder Tyler O’Neill.

“The concept that you had a major league manager and major league hitting coach out there working in the cages with kids that were at Clinton (Class A) and Everett (short season) was just amazing,” McKay said.

“First day, I was in the cage with Edgar Martinez,” Powell said. “Next thing you know he has a fungo and he’s taking a swing. It was just, wow.”

The summit lasted five days with players working doing workouts over that period as well as sitting in “chalk talk” meetings with the staff and coaches. Bringing in top players was key to embedding the message before spring training began.

“We were out on the field each day,” McKay said. “We’re trying to begin to putting their heads what we are going to be about, how we are going to measure them, how we are going to train. We wanted those guys to have a head start so when we get to spring training we have guys at each level that have some understanding of it and can help us spread the word.”

It seems to be working.

“It was really refreshing to hear,” Jackson said. “For me, my approach caters to getting on base as much as I can.”

MARINADE

• The Mariners started their big league spring training with only 58 players in camp. Dipoto preferred a smaller camp, which meant prospects like Peterson, O’Neill and pitcher Edwin Diaz did not receive expected invites.

• The Mariners invited 42 minor league players to an early minicamp that runs from Feb. 21 right up to the report date of Feb. 7. The camp is a way for top players in the organization to get a head start on their season, while allowing them to participate in early Cactus League games as reserves