Seattle Mariners 2021 MLB Draft Report Card — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

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Best Pure Hitter: Catcher Harry Ford (1) has a mature offensive approach for a high school hitter, along with bat speed, strength, the ability to manipulate the barrel and shorter arms that could allow him to be a consistently strong hitter. Outfielder Spencer Packard (9) has a long track record of hitting at a high level and was a career .324/.452/.504 hitter in three seasons with Campbell.

Best Power Hitter: There were scouts who thought Ford would wind up being a power-over-hit bat prior to the draft and he does have a chance to get to above-average power potential. Seattle also likes the power potential that third baseman Cole Barr (15) brings to the table after homering eight times in 44 games for Indiana this spring.

Fastest Runner: It’s almost unheard of for a primary catcher to land in this category and that’s part of the reason why Ford is such a unique prospect. He’s a legitimate plus runner who has a chance to play center field if the organization deems it worthwhile. Outfielder Corey Rosier (12) is also a plus runner who stole 17 bags in 23 attempts (74%) this spring with UNC Greensboro and then went 13-for-16 (81.3%) in his pro debut this summer.

Best Defensive Player: Shortstop Edwin Arroyo (2) was one of the better defensive shortstops in the 2021 class and he drew excellent reviews for his fielding at the position during his pro debut. He’s a unique, ambidextrous athlete with impressive body control and instincts and should have a carrying tool with his glove.

Best Fastball: Righthander Bryce Miller (4) has a plus fastball that gets up to 96-97 mph and generates plenty of whiffs up in the zone, while righthander Will Fleming (11) has been up to 98 mph with impressive natural arm strength out of a big frame.

Best Secondary Pitch: Righthander Michael Morales(3) has flashed a plus curveball at times. He has natural feel to spin the 77-80 mph breaking ball, and as he continues to refine the offering it should hit as a 60-grade offering more consistently. Righthander Jimmy Kingsbury (17) generated a decent amount of whiffs with a slower, sweeping breaking ball this spring with Villanova.

Best Pro Debut: Ford played in just 19 games in the Arizona Complex League, but he hit exceptionally well, putting up a .291/.400/.582 slash line with three home runs, seven doubles, three stolen bases and a 13.8 BB%. Rosier continued to show the same bat-to-ball and plate discipline skills he displayed in college, hitting .380/.451/.570 over 32 games between the ACL and Low-A West. Outfielder Colin Davis (7) also had a loud pro debut between the ACL and Low-A West, hitting .313/.401/.435 with eight stolen bases in nine attempts.

Best Athlete: Ford is such a unique athlete for his position that he is likely the pick here, though Rosier is a talented athlete in his own right.

Most Intriguing Background: Perhaps the Mariners have a thing for speedy catchers, as Rosier was a catcher at one point before he made the switch to center field.

Closest To The Majors: Miller has the sort of big-time fastball that could allow him to move quickly in a bullpen role if the Mariners don’t want to be patient with him and let him refine his pitching ability for a chance to start.

Best Late-Round Pick (Or NDFA): Fleming and Rosier are both college players with obvious tools and obvious holes (secondaries and power, respectively) in their games that make them intriguing day three selections.

The One Who Got Away: The Mariners signed all 20 of their draft picks.