Prospect Insider - Spring Training Preview: Game 21

Spring Training Preview: Game 21

By Alex Carson

By 03-15-2013

The Mariners continue to slice their roster as we move into the second half of March. As Brendan noted last night, the club dispatched three members of The Big Four. Interestingly, it's the member of who changed it from a club of three to a club of four -- Brandon Maurer -- who sticks around with the big league squad.

Then, this morning, infielder Alex Liddi was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma while catchers John Hicks Hicks and Ronny Paulino and infielder Stefan Romero were re-assigned to minor league camp. The catching duo was no surprise as it's seemed pretty clear from the start that Jesus Montero and Kelly Shoppach would be the open day backstops. Romero -- a sleeper to break camp with the club -- was slowed down by injury.

So, we're left with 47 Mariners in camp.

Two games today -- one against the Angels (boo!) and the other against the Kingdom of the Netherlands -- and still no Franklin Gutierrez. I'm becoming a little worried, but TNT's Ryan Divish talked with Guti and says it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Still, though. This is Franklin Gutierrez we're talking about. Any setback is noteworthy.

Mariners Lineup
1: 7-L Michael Saunders
2: 4-S Nick Franklin
3: 0-L Raul Ibanez
4: 3-S Justin Smoak
5: 2-R Jesus Montero
6: 9-L Julio Morban
7: 6-R Carlos Triunfel
8: 5-R Vinnie Catricala
9: 8-R Francisco Martinez

Pitching matchup
Jeremy Bonderman continues his comeback attempt this afternoon when he takes the mound for the M's. The right-hander has had mixed results thus far this spring, but his arm doesn't hurt, so that's good. He'll oppose fellow righty Tommy Hanson of the Halos.

Bonderman won't have to face Mike Trout or Albert Pujols, but he will catch many of the Angels other contributors, including Peter Bourjos, Howie Kendrick, Josh Hamilton and Mark Trumbo. It's not that this will be a make-or-break type of deal for Bonderman, but this would be an excellent opportunity for him to show he's healthy and effective.

Following Bonderman today will be Andrew Carraway, Carson Smith, Bobby LaFromboise and Yoervis Medina. Wow, regardless of what the calendar shows, Yoervis Medina could be in a high-leverage situation.

Go M's!

spring-training-preview:-game-21

Comments
The following 4 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: maqman on 03-15-2013 12:22:06
Right now Maurer looks like a better bet than Saunders but Saunders has a guaranteed $6.5 million dollar major league contract with $1 million in incentives. I just hope he ends up earning it. Maurer has to duke it out with Garland, Bonderman, Beavan and Ramirez for one of the two open spots in the rotation. My guess at this point is Garland and Ramirez, with Beavan and Maurer either going to Tacoma or to the bullpen and Bonderman either cut or accepting a move to AAA.

2. By: Jason A. Churchill on 03-15-2013 12:26:16
I hope everyone realizes that we're talking about 10 innings for Maurer and less than 10 for everyone else on the pitching staff except Iwakuma... and it's March.

How many decisions will be based on actual results this spring? Zero. The Mariners aren't a stupid club.

Maurer will make the team if it makes sense for him AND the rest of the roster.

3. By: rotoenquire on 03-15-2013 16:31:35
Jason agreed. Can't just look at numbers n the spring. What innings did he pitch? How many regular major league players did he face? Was the batter looking only for curves to hit or sliders. So many different things go into it than basic stats. Same goes for Saunders was he working on locating a certain pitch and throwing it 20 times in a row.

4. By: maqman on 03-16-2013 08:12:39
So Maurer's being the Southern League Pitcher of the Year last season and his current 0.90 ERA has no indicative value then?

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