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If you feel that the Mariners major league team will be lacking excitement this season, then perhaps the Double-A Jackson Generals are more up your alley. They could just be one of the most talented teams in the entirety of minor league baseball, touting a trio of starting pitching prospects that could soon be in Seattle.
The first of those pitchers, James Paxton, is set to start tonight at 5:00 PST against the White Sox affiliate Birmingham Barons. Paxton was a fourth round draft choice of the Mariners in 2010 and the lefty made 17 starts last season across two levels and struck out 131 batters in just 95 innings with a 2.37 ERA. He made seven of those starts for Jackson and was outstanding, 1.85 ERA, 39 innings, 51 strikeouts and just 13 walks.
In addition to those pitchers, the top Mariners hitting prospect left in the minors, Nick Franklin, will be manning shortstop for the Generals.
You can follow the game here on the Jackson website with Gameday Audio.
Paxton faces former Yankees prospect Jose Quintana, not to be confused with this Jose Quintana that is in jail. If you confused them, boy would you have egg on your face.
For updates and perspective on the Seattle Mariners, head on over to Lookout Landing. For all news and information regarding the Oakland A's, please visit Athletics Nation.
